Of the more than 700 SMU families expected to attend the annual Family Weekend kicking off this Friday, unwelcome Hurricane Rita has already announced her probable attendance.
Rita is expected to bombard Texas by Saturday, with the coastal cities at the greatest risk for destruction. In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, every precaution is being taken to ensure another disaster does not occur.
“SMU has rescheduled its football game against Tulane from [a] 7 p.m. to 1 p.m. kickoff Saturday. The Family Weekend Barbecue will take place from 10:30 [a.m.] to 12:30 [p.m.],” SMU’s official Web site stated in a Hurricane Rita Update.
The theme for the upcoming weekend is “Family Fiesta” and the events scheduled for Friday remain unchanged, as do any Sunday events.
At this point, it seems that the main concern is for the safety of all students, athletes and families. SMU Athletic Director Jim Copeland said, “We felt it was in the best interests of our fans and student-athletes to move kickoff up to 1 p.m. The earlier start should allow us to play the game on the scheduled date and should also allow fans the opportunity to attend the game and get home prior to any severe weather.”
SMU’s Student Foundation presents Family Weekend every year.
The organization spends more than half the year planning the annual three-day event, but now a catastrophic storm could force the highly successful event and its organizers to throw eight months of planning to the wind.
At its meeting Wednesday night, the football game and barbecue changes were discussed.
Angela Pena, the Dad’s Club coordinator and organizer of the Family Weekend Barbecue, said that Student Foundation is waiting to hear whether the storm will force the barbecue inside to the Ballroom of the Hughes-Trigg Student Center or if the event will remain outside on the south-side lawn of Clements Hall.
The home-game tailgating tradition will also be affected. Tailgating on the Boulevard, themed as “Mustang Mardi Gras,” will start earlier. The biggest visible change announced is the absence of the large white tents.
Ryan K. Williams, coordinator of student activities and Greek affairs, said in an e-mail on Wednesday, “There will not be any large tents on the main quad for the Boulevard this weekend as they would not be able to be picked up before the storm approaches.”
More than 2,100 people bought a $12 ticket to the Dad’s Club barbecue, catered by Sonny Bryans BBQ, but because of the changes only about 1,800 are expected to attend.
According to Pena, any food not eaten will be donated to the Hurricane Katrina evacuees.
Becky Trevino, the Family Weekend Programs coordinator, said, “The Dad’s Barbecue followed by Spirit and Traditions is my favorite part [because] it’s fun to see all the studentsà and parents together, to eat good food with family and friendsà and to get excited about the game.”
However, Student Foundation has been forced to cancel the popular “Spirits and Traditions” event, which features the Mustang Band, SMU Cheerleaders and SMU Pom Squad.
Unnerved by the recent scheduling conflicts, Pena said, “I’m a little nervous – Spirit and Traditions is the leeway [into the game]. It’s such a big deal that it’s gone. Irregardless, [Family Weekend] is going to be different.”
All previously scheduled Saturday morning events have been canceled with the exception of the Faculty Spotlight of Professor Lucy Scott, which has been rescheduled for a later time.
Parents are urged to attend the Friday events as planned and make every effort to attend the barbecue, tailgating and football game even if the last-minute time change may be an inconvenience.
Family Weekend tickets can be picked up today from 10 a.m to 5 p.m in the Hughes-Trigg Student Center at Java City, located on the main level. Friday night pickup will begin at 7 p.m. and continue until the start of the Talent Show.
For updated information, be sure to check the Family Weekend website throughout the weekend for any last minute changes. The site can be accessed at http://www.smu.edu/SF/famwkend.asp.
