Postpones Athletic Events
Sept. 12, 2001
MOUNT PLEASANT -- Central Michigan University has postponed a number of athletic events slated for this weekend in wake of the national tragedy in New York and Washington.
CMU's football game at Boise State on Saturday has been postponed along with the women's soccer games at Western Michigan (Friday) and volleyball at Michigan (Friday/Saturday).
"Friday has been named a National Day of Mourning and we will honor that," CMU Athletics Director Herb Deromedi said. "Our major concern for the football game is for the safety of our student-athletes and the flight involved.
"In making this type of decision, there's no right or wrong. You just have to do what you feel is right."
The football game has been tentatively rescheduled for Saturday, Dec. 1, in Boise. However, if Central Michigan would qualify for the Mid-American Conference (MAC) championship tilt on Nov. 30, the game would not be played this season.
The rest of the events have not been rescheduled as of yet.
CMU head football coach Mike DeBord concurs with the decision.
"I think it's in the best interest of our student-athletes not to play this game on Saturday," he said. "The effects of not playing are minimal compared to getting on an airplane and flying to Idaho for the mindset of our student-athletes."
The Chippewa gridders will take Thursday off and then practice on Friday and Saturday. Sunday will also be off day before beginning preparation for the home football game with MAC standout Toledo slated for Sept. 22 at 1 p.m.