SEC To Donate $1 Million For Katrina Relief

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (Sept. 1, 2005) -- The Southeastern Conference and its 12 member institutions will donate $1 million to the various Hurricane Katrina relief efforts. This contribution will supplement other individual institutional contributions and fundraising efforts. "Hurricane Katrina has devastated the lives of victims in four of the SECs states, Alabama, Florida, Louisiana and Mississippi, and may continue to do so for months and years to come," said SEC Commissioner Mike Slive. "We express our sympathies and prayers to everyone who has been impacted by this storm and we are anxious to assist in the recovery efforts." Each of the SECs 12 institutions will coordinate fundraising efforts for disaster relief at its home football games during the next several weeks. "Our hearts go out to all the victims of Hurricane Katrina but especially to our academic colleagues and their students," said Dr. Michael F. Adams, President of the University of Georgia and the Southeastern Conference. "While we compete fiercely in athletics we also support each other fiercely in times of need. The efforts of the conference and our institutions will help alleviate the effects of this devastating catastrophe." In addition, the SEC is also assisting LSU in its efforts to host hurricane victims by providing clothes and other essential items. "The SEC has been in the fabric of the South for many years," said Slive. "Together, the SEC and its great fans will support our friends and neighbors in need." SEC fans can also donate to the American Red Cross relief efforts on its website, www.redcross.org, or calling 1-800-HELP NOW (435-7669).