Sept. 12, 2001
Cullowhee, N.C. - The Southern Conference today announced that all Conference athletic events scheduled for Saturday, September 15 and Sunday, September 16 will take place as normally scheduled. However, the Conference has postponed all Conference events for Friday, September 14.
All contests between Southern Conference members scheduled for Friday have been rescheduled for Sunday, September 16. A decision on all non-conference athletic events scheduled for Friday and beyond will be made on an institutional basis.
"We are asking that our members observe a moment of silence at all of their events this weekend," said SoCon Interim Commissioner Geoff Cabe. "We expect that flags will be flown at half-staff and that all of our members will take time to reflect on this national tragedy. Our members are extremely sensitive to the terrorist acts that occurred this week."
"Western Carolina supports the league's position and will have an appropriate time of reflection prior to the game," said WCU athletics director Jeff Compher. "I believe strongly the sentiments expressed by President George Bush in 'not allowing this event to change our way of life or restrict our freedoms.' We certainly mourn the loss of those innocent people and our thoughts and prayers go out to their families."
Compher added that among the many emails he had received, a fan said, "We need to play this game. More importantly, we all need to hear that band play the national anthem."
"Everyone here, and around the nation, feels terrible about the tragic events that have hit our nation," said Catamount head coach Bill Bleil. "We feel that by going on with this game and our normal routine that we are not letting the terrorists defeat us."
Game time for the WCU-Citadel game is 6:00 p.m. at E.J. Whitmire Stadium.
