In light of this week's record-breaking temperatures and the National Weather Service's four-day "Extreme Heat Watch" warning beginning this Friday and running through the weekend, Athletic Director Sandi Taylor conferred with team physicians, athletic trainers, and our coaching and administrative staff and decided to delay the start of Saturday's home opener in Memorial Stadium to 8pm. 

 

The evening start time will allow the bulk of gameday activities to occur after projected peak temperatures have passed, thus reducing the risk of heat-related illness to our student athletes. 

 

In addition to altering the schedule, we have rented eight specialized misting fans in an effort to reduce the sideline temperature. 

 

We've also organized cooling areas on the each concourse on both sides of Memorial Stadium. 

 

This decision was made for the safety of all student athletes, and we regret any inconvenience this may cause in the short term, but we are confident that it is the best decision for the long term health of all involved. 

 

-RELEASED BY THE OFFICE OF THE ATHLETIC DIRECTOR