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NCAA FOOTBALL

NFL, NCAA Teams Monitoring Storms

Teams Watching Tropical Storm Hanna's Path

POSTED: 3:01 pm EDT September 3, 2008
UPDATED: 3:27 pm EDT September 3, 2008

With tropical storms threatening the East Coast this weekend, NCAA and NFL teams are monitoring the weather to see if the storms will affect scheduled football games.

Week 1 of the NFL schedule kicks off this weekend, where Atlanta and Miami are both slated to host home games. The Falcons matchup against Detroit isn't expected to be affected as the teams will play in the covered Georgia Dome.

The Miami Dolphins and New York Jets will face the outdoor elements in their matchup. Harvey Greene, the Miami Dolphins senior vice president of media relations, said the team was monitoring the storm but the squad doesn't expect the area to be hit with any major rain or wind. However, the team is prepared to make adjustments if needed.

In the NCAA, two Florida teams will square off when Miami takes on the Florida Gators. The Gators' media relations office said it is watching Tropical Storm Hanna and is working with local, state and national emergency departments to determine what impact the storm might have in the area. The game is currently scheduled to go on, but any changes will be announced by the Athletic Association through the school's Web site, www.GatorZone.com. Florida is also encouraging fans to call the Weatherline for updates: 352-375-4683.

North Carolina State is also watching the radar to track Tropical Storm Hanna. The Wolfpack, which are scheduled to host William & Mary at 7 p.m. ET on Saturday, met Tuesday to discuss contingency plans for possible inclement weather in the area. "We have been working very closely with the National Weather Service and should have a much clearer picture of the storm’s path, strength and speed by late Thursday," said Ray Brincefield, assistant athletics director for outdoor facilities.

"We are going to discuss all options Thursday and do what is in the best interest of our team and fans," Lee Fowler said of the possibility of adjusting the kickoff time or date. "We are sensitive to the distance may of our football patrons outside the Triangle have to travel and we want to inconvenience as few of them as possible.

"If we need to change the start time or date to ensure the safety of all our fans and student-athletes, the adjusted kickoff time will reflect that concern."

N.C. State asks fans to monitor the latest game information at GoPack.com.

West Virginia and East Carolina's game could also be affected by Hanna. WVU officials said if inclement weather is expected to be in the area that both school's administrations will discuss any possible schedule changes.

East Carolina head coach Skip Holtz said in his weekly news conference that he's preparing his team to play in the wet conditions.

"It could potentially be really bad," Holtz said of the weather. "I hope it's not. I'm really looking forward to coming home with all the excitement right now and all the Pirate fans. To have the opportunity to come here, see that student section filling up that stadium, I think it'll be a great venue and atmosphere. If it does rain we have to play in it. We got a lot of weather work last week. I think the field will hold up very well as long as we don't get, like, 8 inches in two hours."


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