SEC teams pitching in, giving aid to South Carolina and its flooded state
Submerged cars. Flooded homes. Breached dams. Lost lives.
The devastating flooding left in Hurricane Joaquin‘s wake has brought South Carolina to its knees this week, a state in need of major assistance.
The National Weather Service on Wednesday instructed residents near one dam in Columbia to seek higher ground as quickly as possible in case it breaches. The safety of local residents and fans traveling to Saturday’s game against LSU forced the university’s hand, resulting in a venue switch to Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge.
“We want to do what’s the right thing for our community and state and especially all the victims of the devastating flood,” South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier said on Wednesday. “If it’s best for us not to play here, we’re going to play at LSU. It’s a decision all way above our football team who made the decision and I believe it’s the right one.”
Several SEC programs are extending a helping hand to the Lowcountry.
Vanderbilt, South Carolina’s opponent next week, is hosting a water drive in Nashville with plans on driving its football 18-wheeler to campus this weekend.
The Goal – have this truck loaded with bottled water enroute to Columbia Friday AM. Drop off cases Thursday 7am-7pm. pic.twitter.com/WrsfaNnffO
— Vanderbilt Football (@VandyFootball) October 7, 2015
Campus drop-off locations Thurs – VU Stadium (corner of Natchez/Jess Neely) & McGugin Center. Need bottled water by the case. #SCFlood — Vanderbilt Football (@VandyFootball) October 7, 2015
According to local sports director Jacques Doucet in Louisiana, LSU’s Tiger Band is rehearsing special songs for the South Carolina game to make it feel like a welcoming environment for the Gamecocks.
LSU director of athletics Joe Alleva said Wednesday that fans will welcome South Carolina to Baton Rouge and all revenue earned through ticket sales will be handed over to the Gamecocks. The Tigers also plan on making a donation to the statewide relief fund in South Carolina:
#LSU band is learning South Carolina Gamecocks’ alma matter + fight song, plans to incorporate in pregame, per Roy M King. @WAFB
— Jacques Doucet (@JacquesDoucet) October 7, 2015
How talented do you have to be, to be handed South Carolina fight song + alma matter on a Wednesday, + have it learned by Saturday? #LSU — Jacques Doucet (@JacquesDoucet) October 7, 2015