University officials have changed the kickoff time of Saturday’s football game against the Tulane Green Wave to 1 p.m. as the National Weather Service upgraded Hurricane Rita from a Category 4 to a Category 5 late Wednesday afternoon. The storm may hit North Texas Saturday night.
“The prudent thing to do is to make the change, because safety has to be our primary concern in this situation,” said Vice President Jim Casewell, who made the decision along with President R. Gerald Turner, Athletic Director Jim Copeland and Vice Presidents Dana Gibson and Brad Cheves.
Junior psychology major Jennifer Foster, whose sister evacuated from the University of Houston Wednesday night, recognizes the change is in the best interest of the student body, although she worries it might “put a damper” on the weekend.
“I would rather the game start at 7 for tailgating reasons. But the weather is going to mess up the weekend and cause confusion,” she said.
However, Student Body President Liz Healy does not feel that Rita will negatively impact the weekend. “I think that people who planed on coming to the game will still come and support SMU, and [I am] hopeful they will be able to go for a victory party afterwards,” she said. “I hope that people will take the changes as they come and realize that they are a result of the weather.”
According to Director of Student Activities Arlene Manthey, the change in kickoff time has created some minor complications with other events scheduled for the 30th annual Family Weekend.
While Friday’s schedule of events will stay the same, the change in game time will cause Saturday’s timeline to shift. The family barbeque, for example, will be moved from 4 p.m. to 10:30 a.m.
“I don’t think the new time will be that big of a deal,” Manthey said, “because in Texas we can eat barbeque 24 hours a day.”
Manthey also said the 2 p.m. campus tour and 6 p.m. Spirit and Traditions will both be canceled. In addition, the 11 a.m. Physics Circus and Faculty Spotlight on Dr. Lucy Scott may be pushed up to 10 a.m. Also, tours of the new Dedman Sports Center will take place from 10 a.m. to noon, instead of from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.
The hurricane is forcing changes in other parts of the state, as well. Baylor University announced Wednesday that Friday’s classes will be cancelled.
“A lot is out of our control with the weather,” Manthey said. “We have no idea what Sunday’s schedule will be like yet, but I think that these changes can happen smoothly for the record-breaking 700 families that have already preordered tickets for this year. I know everyone will have a good time.”
Healy agrees with the positive outlook wholeheartedly. “I know the changes due to Rita are stressful, but it will all work out,” she said. “That is why we have plans, in case we need to make changes.”
