'Dogs doing their part

Athletics team up with Red Cross to collect donations for hurricane relief efforts

Staff Reports
The Collegian

In a university-wide effort, the Bulldog athletic department has collaborated with the American Red Cross to have booths at the football home opener at Bulldog Stadium against Weber State Saturday to collect donations for hurricane relief.

“We’ve all seen pictures,”said Desiree Reed-Francois, the associate athletic director. “I saw a picture of a five-or six-year-old on a roof holding a ‘help’ sign. We had to do something.”

Fresno State is one of four Western Athletic Conference schools that will be aiding in the relief effort for victims of Hurricane Katrina.

“It’s been a cooperative process,” said Reed-Francois, who gives most of the credit for enabling the project to the Bulldog SAAC, a group of student-athletes representing 17 sports. The group initiates many community service projects throughout the year. “We have former student-athlete making posters and someone who just did a PSA with Pat Hill. It’s truly a team effort. It’s very exciting. It gives you an amazing sense of teamwork and togetherness.”

The athletic department is joining other groups on campus, such as the Delta Sigma Theta sorority, the Omega Psi Phi fraternity and the Smittcamp Honors College to contribute to the relief effort.

Groups of three or four student-athletes will sit at each table to solicit donations throughout the game.

Tables will be set up in the tailgate area and throughout the stadium.

“People will meet at 4:30 p.m. and we will be collecting from 5-7 p.m. and throughout kick-off,” said Reed-Francois. “There will be four permanent stations in the stadium.”

Women’s golf coach Angie Cates said the events have affected everyone who has seen the images, even if the events seem so far away.

“I think what they’ve gone through down south is unbelievable and devastating,” Cates said. “We’re so far removed but it’s affected every American. It’s been an eye-opening event.”

Even though the top five golfers of Cates team will be away for a tournament in Colorado, the rest of her team are willing to do anything to help.

“Showing concern and compassion,” Cates said, “It shows the character of our student-athletes.”

Fresno State is following a trend in college football. College games all across the country have solicited donations at their home openers.

Saturday will be the only game where donations will be accepted.

“This is a one-time thing,” Reed-Francois said. “But we will continue to work with the school in providing hurricane relief.”