Murray State University Athletics
Racer Student-Athletes feel the effect of Hurricane Katrina
8/30/2005 12:00:00 AM | Football
Several Murray State student-athletes are natives of the areas hardest hit this week by hurricane Katrina.
As the killer storm slammed into Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama Monday, these young man and women waited anxiously to hear from their families who were in the path of Katrina.
"I talked to my mom and dad at 2 pm Monday and then we lost contact, " Said MSU Baseball player Brett Wilson who is from Waynesboro, Miss, which is near the gulf coast. "I didn't hear from them until Tuesday morning at 7:30 a.m.."
"It's a blessing from God that they are alright," Wilson continued. "My hometown of Waynesboro got hit hard, it's pretty bad down there."
23 Murray State student-athletes are from the areas where Katrina left so much destruction, including two from one of the hardest hit areas, New Orleans, La., Racer football player Chad Cook and basketball player Gerraca Matthews.
Matthews family left New Orleans before the storm and are safe, but she still hasn't heard from an aunt who rode out the storm in the city. "My family escaped to northern Mississippi, so at least I know they're safe, but I can't get through to my aunt," Matthews said. "It was tough yesterday knowing they were going through that and I was here. Matthews added, "Right now I don't know what has happened to my house or anything, it's very sad."
Cook says his family fled the storm to stay with relatives in Shreveport, La. and are fine.
But he fears his home is lost. "Right now I'm worried about our house, " said Cook. "I know I can't, but right now all I want to do is go back home and help my neighbors."
"We all grew up being taught about how bad it could be if a hurricane hit New Orleans, I guess it was all true." Cook added, "It's hard to think that the place I grew up in might be gone."
Cook says he'll so his best to think about football when the Racers open the 2005 season Saturday at 6 pm at Mississippi State.
The hurricane has also affected the Racers volleyball squad as they were prepared to play a tournament Friday in Mobile, Ala at South Alabama University. The tournament has been cancelled.
