Tag: Hurricane Helene

Fall foliage surrounds Kidd Brewer Stadium, home of the AppState Mountaineers at Appalachian State University in Boone, NC, on Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024.

Emotional Appalachian State victorious in first home game since Helene

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Joey Aguilar knew Appalachian State’s first home game in 37 days was a big deal for a region hit hard by Hurricane Helene last month.

But the Mountaineers quarterback was still amazed to see the emotions firsthand on Saturday as the program returned to its stadium in Boone, N.C., and recorded a 33-26 win over Georgia State.

“We were playing for something bigger than us,” Aguilar said after playing in front of 33,783 fans at Kidd Brewer Stadium. “This victory is bigger than the team and the program and the community. It gives everybody a chance to step out of reality and enjoy something after the disaster we had.”

Hurricane Helene slammed the area on Sept. 27 and devastated towns throughout western North Carolina, including Asheville and Boone. The Mountaineers’ game against Liberty on Sept. 28 was canceled, so Saturday marked the first time the players were on their home surface since Sept. 19.

Also Saturday, North Carolina officials said the death count sits at 98 in the state due to the storm.

The App State campus experienced flooding and storm damage due to the hurricane. Classes resumed on Oct. 16 and repairs are still in progress.

But Mountaineers fifth-year coach Shawn Clark saw the home game as part of the return to normal life in an area still heavily scarred and devastated from the vicious storm.

“Just like our community has battled their tails off for the last four weeks to get some kind of normalcy in their lives, our program is doing the same thing,” Clark said after the victory. “Our community is behind us 100 percent, and we’re behind our community 100 percent. It’s still going to be a long haul for our community, and we’re going to be there every step of the way. I’m just very proud of everyone involved in our program and hope today’s win gave everyone in western North Carolina and Watauga County something to be proud of.”

The Mountaineers (3-4, 1-3 Sun Belt) are at home again next Saturday against Old Dominion.

–Field Level Media

A large topiary ÒAÓ shines in the afternoon sun during the AppState Mountaineers' football practice at Appalachian State University in Boone, NC, on Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024.

Appalachian State plays first home game since Hurricane Helene

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Appalachian State will make a return to its home field on Saturday, hosting Georgia State in the first game on campus since Hurricane Helene devastated western North Carolina last month.

The Mountaineers played two home games at Kidd Brewer Stadium in Boone before Helene hit on Sept. 27. Their Sun Belt conference game Saturday will be the first there in 37 days.

Their game scheduled at home against Liberty on Sept. 28 was canceled, and the Mountaineers played two road games — losses at Marshall and Louisiana — since.

Classes resumed on campus on Oct. 16, and school officials said folding football back into the community was carefully done.

“We’re working to thoughtfully, responsibly and respectfully bring university events back to Boone that are supported by students, faculty and staff, as well as a passionate base of alumni and others who love Appalachian State University and Western North Carolina,” interim chancellor Heather Norris said. “We’re committed to ensuring that the university continues to support and sustain our community in meaningful and lasting ways.

The game featuring two 2-4 (0-3 Sun Belt) teams will serve as a positive moment for the region.

“App State Football is an important part of the culture and economy of our university community, the High Country, and the western North Carolina region,” athletic director Doug Gillin said. “We are thankful to university, town and county leadership, and are committed to provide a safe and responsible return to home competition. We hope this event will further rally our community and help support all those who are recovering.”

After Saturday, Appalachian State will have two remaining home games against Old Dominion (Nov. 2) and James Madison (Nov. 23).

–Field Level Media

Jan 8, 2023; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers owner Bryan Glazer before a game against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images

Bucs owners double hurricane-relief donation to $2M

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The owners of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have increased their donation to nonprofit agencies that are leading hurricane-relief efforts to $2 million.

The club announced Thursday that the Glazer family added another $1 million donation in the wake of Hurricane Milton, which made landfall on Oct. 9 along Florida’s west coast. The family donated $1 million to support local agencies following Hurricane Helene earlier this month.

“The Tampa Bay region has experienced traumatic hardships caused by recent Hurricanes Milton and Helene and at times such as these, our community comes together to provide the support and resources that are desperately needed,” the Glazers said in a team-released statement. “As we continue the tireless work of recovering from the devastation that so many have experienced, we are committed to supporting the local agencies that are providing crucial services to our neighbors in need. Despite the difficulties of recent weeks, our resilient Tampa Bay community will persevere and thrive once again.”

Raymond James Stadium, where the Buccaneers play their home games, sustained only minor damage in Hurricane Milton. The home of the Tampa Bay Rays, Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, suffered significant damage, however.

The storm left the Tropicana Field roof in tatters and the stadium won’t be totally repaired by Opening Day, the Tampa Bay Times reported this week.

–Field Level Media

Sep 23, 2023; Laramie, Wyoming, USA; A general view of the Appalachian State Mountaineers helmet against the Wyoming Cowboys at Jonah Field at War Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Babbitt-Imagn Images

Liberty-Appalachian State game canceled due to Hurricane Helene

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Appalachian State’s home game against Liberty on Saturday has been canceled due to the impact of Hurricane Helene.

The game in Boone, N.C., will not be rescheduled, per a statement on the Mountaineers’ official website.

Hurricane Helene made landfall as a Category 4 hurricane in Florida late Thursday, but adjacent states were not spared. North Carolina governor Roy Cooper issued a state of emergency in preparation for potential flooding, damaging winds and power outages, and media in the area near Boone reported widespread flooding Friday morning.

Liberty (4-0) will return to action against visiting FIU on Oct. 8, while Appalachian State (2-2) will travel to Marshall on Oct. 5.

–Field Level Media