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Team effort crucial before playoff game began For a photo album of the clean up, click here. 5:22 p.m., Dec. 8, 2003-- The University of Delawares NCAA Division I-AA playoff victory over Northern Iowa University hard on the heels of a blinding snowstorm Saturday was a team effort all-around. Not only did the Fightin Blue Hens football team get outstanding performances from its offense, defense and special teams, but the University community as a whole earned plaudits for its work in making sure the game could be played at all.
Just hours before the scheduled noon start, Newark was still being pounded by the remnants of a two-day storm, with wind-driven snow falling sideways as morning broke. The surface of Tubby Raymond Field at Delaware Stadium was protected by a tarpaulin, but the long blue sheet was buried under several inches of the white stuff. For the game to be played, the tarp had to be cleared and pulled up. Joining UD Grounds Services Manager Sam Jones and the athletics ground crew in making sure that happened were a host of volunteers, including sports management students, members of the UD Marching Band, freshman football players, Athletics Department personnel and Blue Hen fans. It was an effort that warmed the heart of UD Athletics Director Edgar Johnson, who also joined in the work. "On behalf of the Athletics program and the football team, I would like to thank everyone who helped clear the stadium and football field this past Friday and Saturday, Johnson said Monday. Through the collective efforts of so many individuals and groups, we were able to pull off the massive task of clearing the playing field and the bleacher walkways and stairs. This was truly a team effort, which was done in typical Delaware style with everyone pitching in. I would especially like to thank Sam Jones and the athletics grounds crew for going above and beyond their normal efforts in order to get the football game versus Northern Iowa played, Johnson said. They were dedicated to getting the game played as close to the original kick-off time as possible. The game got started just one-half hour late, at 12:30 p.m. Johnson also expressed thanks to the following groups: This was truly a team effort, and that is not unusual for the University of Delaware, Johnson said, adding, One patron stopped me on Saturday to say that there is only one place in NCAA Division I-AA football that could have 10 inches of snow fall on game day, have the stadium ready for play at near normal kick-off time and then have 11,000 patrons show up to watch. That is the University of Delaware. Thanks so much to everyone for your help and for allowing us all to proudly say: We are Delaware! Jim Miller, athletic director at the University of Richmond and the NCAA football playoff representative at the game, was complimentary of UD and its fans during a halftime interview. Article by Neil Thomas To learn how to subscribe to UDaily, click here. |