Gamecocks preparing for Hurricane Florence
As state government and university officials prepare for Hurricane Florence to hit parts of the South Carolina and North Carolina coasts, Will Muschamp is trying to do his part to help.
He and the rest of the athletic department are working the first part of the week to help families of student-athletes, who may have to evacuate, find places to stay in Columbia. It’s a similar approach to how Muschamp and Gamecocks athletics helped other families of student-athletes last year when Hurricane Irma hit Florida.
“All of our players’ families on the coast, we’re making sure they have a place in Columbia,” Muschamp said. “It’s no different than last year when the hurricane hit south Florida, we gave our players’ families opportunities through the entire athletic department to stay in Columbia.”
Also see: What Will Muschamp said in his weekly press conference
There are already a few mandatory evacuations scheduled for Tuesday in South Carolina’s low country with the storm projected to hit parts of the coast along with North Carolina and Virginia.
Bryan Edwards, who is from Conway, near the coast, said his family is evacuating and coming up to Columbia to ride out the storm.
With the hurricane barreling up the coast, it could put the Gamecocks’ game this week against Marshall in jeopardy with law enforcement and other state departments needed in other parts of the state Saturday.
Also see: Players give some insight, breakdown of Marshall
As of right now, though, the Gamecocks are planning on kicking off in Williams-Brice Saturday night. Muschamp did say he has “no say-so” in whether the game is moved or not and that’s up to the administration.
“We’re ready to go Saturday night with a 7:32 kick. We’re in great hands in this state with Governor (Henry) McMaster, President (Harris) Pastides here at the university and coach (Ray) Tanner,” Muschamp said. “I’m preparing for a football game. Obviously my thoughts and prayers are with the people on the coast and the North Carolina coast that the storm may affect, but as far as I’m concerned that’s where we’re at.”
Another potential problem is Marshall’s travel to South Carolina for the game with the storm expected to impact areas the Herd will have to travel over to get to Columbia.
The Herd has a flight scheduled to Columbia Friday afternoon, but Muschamp said if they’re unable to fly over the hurricane they have buses that will be able to get them to Columbia for the game.
Also see: Team scoop and insight after a tough Georgia loss
Right now, the Gamecocks are practicing for a night game at Williams-Brice where there’s a 50 percent chance of rain as of Tuesday afternoon. Muschamp did say in preparation for that, the team will have wet ball periods Wednesday and Thursday.
Other than that, football is the only thing the Gamecocks will have to worry about at the moment. South Carolina cancelled classes on Tuesday and the university is closed until further notice.
That’ll give players some time to watch film on their own and get a jump on some extra schoolwork.
“The 20-hour rule is still in effect. That’s on the players if they want to watch extra film, and we’ll have a bunch that want to do that,” Muschamp said.
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