Houston's Season Opener at UTSA Postponed
The University of Houston was set to kick off their 2017 football season this weekend on the road against UTSA, that game has since been postponed due to the catastrophic flooding in and around the Houston area from Hurricane Harvey. Both programs will work together on rescheduling the game for a later date in the season.
The impact doesn't stop with the football program. Houston Cross Country will no longer compete in the season-opening HBU Season Opener while the Houston Volleyball program will refrain from traveling to Fairfax, Va., for the George Mason Invitational. The Houston Soccer program will also stay in Houston instead of traveling to scheduled matches at Mississippi State (Friday) and LSU (Saturday).
“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 well being of our families and neighbors and the recovery of the Houston area,” said University of Houston President Renu Khator in an official release from the University of Houston. “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.”
“The epic disaster that continues to unfold in and around the City of Houston has made it evident that our athletic events are not a priority at this time,” said Houston Vice President for Athletics Hunter Yurachek. “Our focus during the coming days will be on assisting the City of Houston and University of Houston communities in recovery efforts and allowing our coaches, staff and student-athletes to devote the necessary time to ensuring the safety and security of their family, friends and loved ones. We are very appreciative of the UH fan base and supporters, UTSA and their Director of Athletics Lynn Hickey along with our counterparts at LSU, Mississippi State, George Mason and Houston Baptist, in supporting this decision.”
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
