MIAA members doing their part for hurricane relief

Efforts include a car wash, shoe drive, water drive, fund-raising

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. -- Many MIAA student-athletes and athletics departments are stepping up to aid those who's lives have been changed forever by the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. Below is a list of what's planned or what has been done, as reported to the MIAA.


Pittsburg State athletics, in cooperation with KSNF-TV, Chatter's Bar & Grill of Pittsburg and Crabby's Seafood Bar & Grill of Joplin, mounted a bottle water drive during their home football game last Saturday (Sept. 3) against Fort Hays (Kan.) State. Donations may also be dropped off at either restaurant or at the KSNF-TV studios in Joplin.
The Central Missouri State volleyball squad will conduct a shoe drive during the CMSU Challenge volleyball tournament this weekend (Sept. 8-10). Fans bringing a pair of useable shoes (men's, women's and children's shoes are being accepted) will be admitted to the tournament free. The shoes will be donated to the Warrensburg chapter of the American Red Cross for distribution in effected areas.
The Missouri Southern athletics department will have volunteers collecting cash donations at the entrances to Hughes Stadium for the Lions' next two home football games (Sept. 10 vs. Southwest Baptist and Sept. 17 vs. PSU). There also will be receptacles for loose change at the concession stands in the stadium, with all proceeds going to the American Red Cross.
The MSSU men's cross country and track squads will conduct car wash Saturday (Sept. 10), from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Karen Rutledge State Farm Insurance office, located at 616 E. 32nd Street in Joplin. All proceeds from the car wash will go to the Hurricane Katrina Relief Fund.
Truman's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee will take part in a canned food drive by having collection barrels at home soccer matches Saturday and Sunday (Sept. 11) and the volleyball match Wednesday (Sept. 14) vs. Central Missouri State.
As part of a university-wide effort, the Emporia State athletics department will be accepting cash donations at its home football game Sept. 17 against SBU. The university's goal is to raise $15,000 to assist students of the University of Southern Mississippi and their families.
Missouri Western athletics will donate $1 of each ticket sold to their home football game Sept. 17 against Northwest Missouri State towards the relief effort. During the game, members of the Western and Northwest Student-Athlete Advisory Committees will be roaming the stands, taking donations for the American Red Cross in what's being billed as "Rivals for Relief." A goal of $10,000 has been established.

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Matt Newbery
Assistant to the Commissioner for Media Relations
Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association
10551 Barkley, Suite 501
Overland Park, Kan. 66212
(913) 341-3080
http://www.themiaa.com