Southern Miss Athletics to Forever Remember Hurricane Katrina
HATTIESBURG, Miss. ? In remembrance of Hurricane Katrina, the worst natural disaster in United States history, the Southern Miss football team will honor the hurricane victims by placing a hurricane flag sticker on the back of their helmets.
?It is our hope that adding this symbol to our uniforms will serve as a simple and constant reminder of a university, a city, a state, a region, a nation that is forever changed,? said Director of Athletics Richard Giannini. ?It is also our hope that this symbol will continue to strengthen the emotional bond that we all share throughout the United States and even the world.?
The hurricane flag will be placed along side the United States flag on the back of the helmet. The American flag represents the team?s honor and love for their country and also serves to honor the victims of Sept. 11, 2001.
?This symbol will serve as a reminder of the devastation not only endured by Southern Miss and fellow Conference USA member Tulane but everyone that was affected by the hurricane,? Head Football Coach Jeff Bower said. ?The Tulane-Southern Miss series has taken on a deeper and more profound meaning and our football programs will never meet again without remembering the events of Hurricane Katrina.?
Southern Miss will meet Alabama for the opening game of the 2005 football season on Saturday, September 10 at 6:45 p.m., at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Ala. The game will be televised nationally on ESPN2.
