I know this is the rival board, but I am so proud of MSU for doing what they can to help with Hurricane Katrina relief efforts. If you can put aside your hatred for MSU, and will be in the Murray, KY area this Fri or Sat, please consider coming to our campus for a free volleyball tournament between MSU, So. Alabama and Youngstown State. They are asking for food and bottled water donations in lieu of admission, and all that is collected will be sent with the So. Alabama team bus back to Mobile for Red Cross distribution.

In addition, I know the MSU assistant women's soccer coach is headed to Mississippi this weekend to help with relief efforts. He will be taking undistributed MSU soccer camp shirts to donate to those in need, as well as help with recovery efforts.

I believe MSU women's soccer is planning on a donation drive for their game against So. Mississippi this Sunday if you would like to take in a soccer game in lovely Murray. I'm awaiting official word from the coach, so I'll let you know.

If the distaste of MSU is too unbearable, then please consider donating to the Red Cross. They need our help!!

Thanks!!!! RBM
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Volleyball fans can help relief aid at Helping Hands Classic tourney

(Aug. 31, 2005) -- Hurricane Katrina has caused untold damage, death and destruction along the Gulf coast, but in a twist of fate, a volleyball tournament cancelled by its wrath will help provide assistance to those affected by it, as Murray State hosts the Helping Hands Classic.

The Racers were scheduled to open their 2005 season this weekend at the University of South Alabama Invitational in Mobile, Ala., but damage caused by Hurricane Katrina caused USA officials to cancel their tournament.

Murray State head coach David Schwepker thought it would be a good idea to move the tournament to Murray, inviting the teams that would have played in Mobile to play in Racer Arena. Of the four other teams, South Alabama (1-0) and former Ohio Valley Conference member Youngstown State (2-1) responded. The double-round-robin tournament will be held Friday and Saturday.

The Racers are using the Helping Hands Classic as a means to help provide food and other necessities to those in need whose lives were deeply affected by the hurricane.

"We are asking people who come to the tournament to bring canned food items to help with the victims of Hurricane Katrina," said Schwepker. "People can bring in non-perishable food items, toiletries, anything they can think of to help those people. We will give the box of whatever we collect to the team from South Alabama to bring back to Mobile to help with the relief effort."

The Helping Hands Classic begins on Friday at 1 p.m. when South Alabama faces Youngstown State. The Racers open their season at 4 p.m. against Youngstown State, then take on South Alabama at 7 p.m. On Saturday, South Alabama plays Youngstown State at 10 a.m., followed by Murray State against South Alabama at 1 p.m. and the Racers against Youngstown State at 4 p.m. There is no admission charge.