Nicholls State football players to meet tonight

• Advocate news services
• Published: Sep 7, 2008 - UPDATED: 12:05 a.m.

• Print
• Email
• Save
• Reprints
• Twitter
• Share

• Del.icio.us
• Digg
• Facebook
• Reddit
• 

THIBODAUX — With power restored and classes resuming on Wednesday, Nicholls State coach Jay Thomas is asking that all Colonel football players report to Barker Hall at 8 p.m. today for a team meeting.

After Nicholls’ scheduled game against New Mexico State was canceled until further notice because of Hurricane Gustav, the players and coaching staff were granted leave to be with their families.

Power has been restored to the university and the campus will officially open its doors to students Wednesday. All faculty and staff are being asked to report back to work starting Monday.

“We are excited about getting our team back together, and we look forward to playing the rest of our season,” Thomas said. “I know the players will be excited to be back and get back into the routine as we strive to get back to normalcy.”

University and athletic department officials will make decisions in the upcoming week in regard to Nicholls’ home football game against Bowie State scheduled for Sept. 13.

On the Nicholls State campus, the Colonels Softball Complex sustained damage to its backstop, and also had its scoreboard in leftfield demolished to beyond repair. The outfield fence was also blown over.

Ray E. Didier Field’s leftfield and centerfield fence no longer exist as winds from Hurricane Gustav have left only the structure that once held up the outfield wall.

“We think, but are not sure, that a small tornado might have touched down around the softball and baseball fields after surveying the amount of damage,” said Mike Davis, assistant vice president for administration.

“The campus itself is not as bad as originally anticipated. However, we do have a lot of debris and mess to clean up.”

John L. Guidry Stadium had minimal damage to the press box, with strong winds ripping off the air conditioning unit on the roof. The lights may have received some structural damage. A structural engineer will have to determine whether the foundations of the poles have been compromised.

Barker Hall, the home of the majority of Nicholls athletics offices, sustained minor damage, but appeared to be operational since the state police and all other first responders stationed in the area were using the football locker room showers. David R. Stopher Gym had been inspected, and the floors were not damaged and the roof appeared leak free.

Leonard J. Chabert Hall, which is home to all of Nicholls athletics weight lifting equipment, received roof damage, and had some leaks.

Schools in the Louisiana University System have lent a helping hand to Nicholls State.