LSU and Tennessee officials said they have been watching radars and the Weather Channel as Hurricane Rita inches its way to the Gulf coast.
Officials said it is too early to make any changes because the storm’s path is too wide to predict where it will hit.
“It is too soon to make any decisions,” said LSU Associate Athletics Director Herb Vincent. “Hurricanes are volatile and unpredictable. All we can do right now is watch the path as it happens.”
Hurricane Rita has not pushed alternative choices to be made, but Hurricane Katrina has changed Tennessee’s travel arrangements.
“We are already on Plan B,” said Tennessee Athletics Director Mike Hamilton. “We do not usually fly into town on the morning of a game. We usually fly out Friday, but we understand with the circumstances [down there].”
Hamilton is no stranger to weather threats. Last year a scheduled home game against Florida was threatened after severe weather in Knoxville.
“We just sat tight and watched, and it all worked out fine,” Hamilton said. “Any situation like this we are doing that same thing.”
The SEC office also is aware of the possible threat to Louisiana. LSU has rescheduled North Texas for its last bye week date so associate commissioner Charles Bloom said other provisions can be made.
“We can always move the game time or game date,” Bloom said. “That doesn’t mean to a new location. For instance, if landfall is set for Saturday, they could play the game on Friday or Sunday. Right now, it is too early to tell.”
The LSU Athletic Department will keep track of the hurricane as it approaches the coast. If there is a possible threat, decisions will be made between LSU and the University of Tennessee.
“I have not talked to [LSU] yet, but I plan on doing it [later Tuesday],” Hamilton said. “I just want to get an idea of how things are down there and keep an eye on the storm. That is all we can do for right now.”
Contact Tabby Soignier at [email protected]