Illinois State-Florida Atlantic football game postponed

[SEPT. 24, 2004]  NORMAL -- Due to the threat of Hurricane Jeanne, Illinois State's football game at Florida Atlantic on Saturday at Lockhart Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., has been postponed.

Both institutions are in the process of rescheduling the game, but a makeup date has not yet been announced.

Senior Associate Athletics Director Larry Lyons, who coordinates the air travel for the Redbird football program, worked with the Florida Atlantic administration on the decision to postpone the contest.

"This was a mutual decision at the university level," Lyons said. "Florida Atlantic is in the process of closing its university today, while the governor has asked for evacuation in the Fort Lauderdale area. With these prominent actions taking place, it didn't make a whole lot of sense for us to try to fly in there and play on Saturday. We had to make a decision that was in the best interest of the student-athletes and staff at both institutions."

Head coach Denver Johnson addressed the team on the decision.

"Obviously we are disappointed to not be playing this weekend," Johnson said. "I know all of our kids from Florida and their families and friends have been really looking forward to this game. Hopefully we will be able to reschedule it and face FAU later in the season, but for now, myself and my staff will turn our attention to our conference opener at Indiana State and begin preparation for the Sycamores."

The Redbirds will return to action on Oct. 2 when they begin Gateway Football Conference action at Indiana State.

[Todd Kober,
assistant athletics director, media relations,
Illinois State University]

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