GRAMBLING, Louisiana – Athletic Officials at Grambling State
University and Bethune-Cookman University have announced a change in the kickoff
time of the their football game on Saturday September 12, at Eddie G. Robinson,
Sr. Memorial Stadium on the campus of Grambling State University. The kickoff
time is now 6 p.m. CST, which was moved back two hours from the original kickoff
time of 4 p.m. CST.
Lynn W. Thompson, Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics
at Bethune-Cookman, and Interim Athletic Director Obadiah Simmons at Grambling
mutually agreed that a later start-time is advantageous for the health, safety
and well-being of all parties involved.
“Temperatures during early September in North Central Louisiana are extremely
brutal, and we want to ensure the comfort and safety of all players, coaching
and support staffs, game officials and fans while attending this football game,”
notes Simmons.
“The safety of the student-athletes and fans is the most important thing,”
according to Thompson. “Being in Florida, we certainly understand extreme heat
in the southeast, and we share the concern of Grambling and their athletic
officials when it comes to the safety and well-being of the student-athletes and
fans in extreme temperatures during this time of year.”
Grambling Head Coach Broderick Fobbs states, “While we’re excited about
playing the game, there’s always a conscientious effort to minimize and/or
eliminate health hazards in every contest particularly in temperate climates.
The safety and well-being of all student-athletes in every contest is
paramount.”
“A later start-time is certainly in the best interest of everyone,” states
Bethune-Cookman Head Football Coach Terry Sims. “The number of fatalities
resulting from exposure to extreme heat continues unfortunately to plague
college football nationwide. Every precaution that can be taken to reduce the
potential for these occurrences should be exercised. Moving the kickoff time
back is certainly a safety measure in the right direction.”
Fans are also encouraged to dress accordingly and consume plenty of fluids to
maintain their electrolyte balance to offset any ill effects of heat-related
illnesses.
For the latest information on the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats, follow us on
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COURTESY BETHUNE-COOKMAN UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION
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