GRAMBLING, LA –Athletic Officials at Grambling State University and Bethune-Cookman University announce a change in the kickoff time of the their football game on Saturday September 12th at Eddie G. Robinson, Sr. Memorial Stadium on the campus of Grambling State University. The kick off time is now 6:00pm CST, which was moved back two hours from the original kickoff time of 4:00 pm CST.
Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics Lynn W. Thompson at Bethune-Cookman and Interim Athletic Director Obadiah Simmons at Grambling mutually agreed that a later start-time is advantageous for the health, safety and well being of all parties involved. “Temperatures during early September in North Central Louisiana are extremely brutal and we want to ensure the comfort and safety of all players, coaching and support staffs, game officials and fans while attending this football game” notes Simmons. “The safety of the student-athletes and fans is the most important thing,” according to Thompson. “Being in Florida, we certainly understand extreme heat in the southeast, and we share the concern of Grambling State University and their athletic officials when it comes to the safety and well-being of the student-athletes and fans in extreme temperatures during this time of year.”
Grambling Head Coach Broderick Fobbs states “while we’re excited about playing the game, there’s always a conscientious effort to minimize and/or eliminate health hazards in every contest particularly in temperate climates. The safety and well-being of all student-athletes in every contest is paramount” according to Coach Fobbs. “A later start-time is certainly in the best interest of everyone,” states Bethune-Cookman Head Football Coach Terry Sims. Coach Sims continued by stating “the number of fatalities resulting from exposure to extreme heat continues unfortunately to plague college football nationwide. Every precaution that can be taken to reduce the potential for these occurrences should be exercised. Moving the kickoff time back is certainly a safety measure in the right direction” according to Coach Sims.
Fans are also encouraged to dress accordingly and consume plenty of fluids to maintain their electrolyte balance to offset any ill effects of heat-related illnesses.
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