The University of Houston has cancelled or postponed all of its weekend athletics events in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey’s record flooding across southeast Texas.
The storm, which had the highest recorded rainfall totals from a tropical storm in U.S. history, killed at least 40, destroyed 400,000 cars and 50,000 homes (with hundreds of thousands more damaged), and caused tens of billions of dollars in damage. The campus did have flooding, but suffered no structural damage to its academic buildings and expects to resume classes next Tuesday.
For the athletics teams, though, this weekend is a washout. Between athletes helping clean up at their homes and in communities, the shortage of police to secure and control game sites, and the challenge in travelling to and from Houston airports which were closed for almost a week, the school made the decision to cancel or postpone all competitions.
“Everyone in our university community, including our student-athletes, coaches and their staff, has been impacted by this incredible storm. This is a time for all of us to focus on the wellbeing of our families and neighbors and the recovery of the Houston area,” said University of Houston President Renu Khator. “We’ll be excited to resume athletic competition, but right now our student-athletes are anxious to contribute to getting the city we love so much back on its feet again.”
For the volleyball team, that means that they won’t travel to Fairfax, Virginia for the George Mason Invitational, where they were scheduled to play George Mason, Penn, and Central Michigan. Their season will resume at the Flo Hyman Collegiate Cup back in Houston against Stetson, McNeese, and Mississippi State.
Also cancelled for the Cougars are participation in a cross country meet (HBU Season Opener), soccer (Mississippi State/LSU), and football (UTSA).
Their crosstown rivals Rice were able to make it to their scheduled tournament in Colorado, which included a 3-0 win over Wake Forest on Friday. They’ll play Abilene Christian and Colorado on Saturday. Rice has been camped out in Waco, home of Baylor University, all week after being unable to return to Houston after playing at the SMU Invitational last weekend in Dallas.
Rice’s football team returned home on Friday after 13 days on the road and 26,000 miles traveled since playing their opener against Stanford in Sydney, Australia.
Both schools have already had swarms of student-athletes around the city assisting in cleanup efforts. Houston and Rice’s soccer teams will play a Hurricane Harvey relief match on Monday with proceeds going to the United Way’s Flood Relief Fund.
From the University of Houston:
Those looking to support the rescue and recovery efforts through charities on the ground are encouraged to do so. The international network Red Cross is on the ground in Houston providing emergency relief. To donate to the Red Cross, please click here.
Supporters can also support relief efforts through the Greater Houston Community Foundation.
Online Credit Card Donations: Visit www.ghcf.org. Online credit card donations will be assessed a small fee, typically 3%, by the credit card companies. Donors have the option of increasing their credit card donations to cover this fee.
Checks/Money Orders: Mail to Greater Houston Community Foundation, 5120 Woodway Drive, Suite 6000, Houston, TX 77056.
Transfer Cash by Wire: Wire To: JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A.
Houston, TX
ABA # 021000021
For credit to: Greater Houston Community Foundation
A/C#: 849170287
For further credit to: Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund
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