Oct. 25, 2007
SAN DIEGO - GALLERY
(Updated at 3:30 p.m. Thursday)
With the wildfires still affecting the San Diego area, the San Diego State student-athletes continued to show support for the fire victims by helping out at the Ray and Joan Kroc Community Center on Thursday afternoon. It was the fourth consecutive day the student-athletes have helped the fire victims.
Members of the swimming and diving, water polo and track and field teams collected toiletries, including toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap and shampoo, as well as socks, under garments, linens and baby clothing and donated the items to the Salvation Army at the Kroc Center. The supplies will be dispersed to different shelters throughout the county.
"Some of my (water polo) teammates had to evacuate and don't really know the status of their homes," senior Becca Ur said. "We wanted to come out and help the people that have been so tragically affected by the fires."
"Our team has realized that we can come together and support those in need," senior swimmer Ana Dowell said. "We really want to give our support in such a difficult time."
In addition, players and coaches on the football team made a cash donation after not being able to make the trip because of a practice scheduling conflict.
Aztec student-athletes will continue to gather and deliver donations to help the fire victims throughout the week.
Because of the wildfires and poor air quality, the Aztecs have been forced to adapt to changes in practice and game schedules. Below is a list of some of the teams who have been affected by the wildfires.
Football
The San Diego State football team returned to practice on Thursday for the first time since holding a light workout Sunday evening prior to the San Diego wildfires threatening much of the city and affecting air quality throughout the county. The Aztecs held the first of two workouts scheduled for the day, in full pads on four basketball courts at the Aztec Recreation Center. The team will hold split-squad practices this afternoon in the ARC.
San Diego State head coach Chuck Long said the indoor practice reminded him of his collegiate days at Iowa, when the Hawkeyes would hold bowl practice indoors at the Iowa Field House.
"It brings me back to growing up in the Midwest," Long said. "I'm not sure Californians are use to this but we went to the gym growing up quite a bit in high school and even in college. We didn't have an indoor facility yet so we went in the gym. This takes many of us on the coaching staff back in time."
Long said that the current plan is to continue practicing indoors until the air quality improves enough to practice outdoors. That plan though is subject to change as the conditions in San Diego change.
"It is literally day-by-day and hour-by-hour planning. Our plan is to be in here (the Aztec Recreation Center) tomorrow."
The last of the football coaches that were displaced by the fire, were expected to be able to return to their homes on Thursday.
Men's Soccer
The men's soccer team practiced Wednesday in the Aztec Recreation Center across two basketball courts due to the poor air quality outside.
On Thursday morning, the Aztecs left for Los Angeles, where they will train for a few days before playing a match against Oregon State at UCLA on Sunday at 1 p.m. SDSU's game against Washington, which was originally scheduled for Friday, will now be played on Nov. 18.
A number of the player's families and an assistant coach were forced to evacuate, but everybody is believed to be safe.
Current assistant coach Oscar Rodriguez and former assistant Kyle Smith, both San Diego Firefighters, have been battling the fires non-stop since Sunday.
"I spoke with both Oscar and Kyle and they are working hard to get our county toward recovery," head coach Lev Kirshner said. "Oscar, Kyle and their co-workers are truly heroes to us all."
Women's Soccer
With the wildfires in San Diego County, the Aztec women's soccer team was forced to move its Thursday home contest against New Mexico to Provo, Utah, on the campus of Brigham Young.
The team left at 8 a.m. Wednesday and began to attempt to conduct business as usual with a 5 p.m. practice. BYU opened up its athletics dining facilities to the Aztecs where they had breakfast today before the coaches went for a walk and the team started getting focused for its game at 7 p.m. MT.
On Friday, SDSU will travel to Salt Lake City and begin preparation for Sunday's game versus the Utes. Practice times are still to be determined.
"Its been a very emotional week for a lot of people and traveling up here to Provo has been good for us to try and get back to some sense of normalcy," head coach Mike Friesen said. "We've faced adversity all season long and today's game will definitely be the case again.
"We all have heavy hearts for our family, friends and the people of San Diego that are going through this terrible tragedy. This experience reinforces what we tell our players that soccer is a great game that we are able to enjoy, but its not life or death.
"I would like to take this time to thank the athletics department of BYU that has gone above and beyond the call of duty to help us have this game tonight. They've been very generous with their time and facilities. We also appreciate that they have also gone out to the community to promote our game so we can have a crowd tonight."
Volleyball
The volleyball team had its match against Colorado State postponed to a later date due to the wildfires.
The Aztecs, however, continue to practice at the Aztec Recreation Center as Peterson Gym has been prepared to house evacuees.
Cross Country
The cross country team was prepared to host the Mountain West Conference Championships on Saturday, but because of the wildfires and poor air quality, the Aztecs are now in Albuquerque, N.M., the new site of the championships.
Similar to this year, wildfires in San Diego forced the championships to move from San Diego to Albuquerque in 2003 as well.
SDSU left Wednesday morning to get acclimated to the altitude. The championships will take place at the UNM North Golf Course with the women's 6K slated for an 11 a.m. MT start.
Swimming and Diving
The Aztecs were set to play host to their first swimming and diving meet at the Aztec Aquaplex this Saturday, but because of the wildfires and poor air quality were forced to postpone the meet.
The team has been practicing each day at the local YMCA.
Crew
San Diego State rowing team had its weekend activities cancelled because of the wildfires. The Aztecs were originally scheduled to travel to Sacramento on Saturday for the prestigious Head of American and then participate in the San Diego Row for the Cure on Sunday.
Men's Basketball
The men's basketball team continues practicing inside Cox Arena in preparation for its first exhibition game on Nov. 5 against Point Loma Nazarene. With the campus being closed, the Aztecs had two-a-days on Wednesday and Thursday after practicing once each on Monday and Tuesday.
"We feel very fortunate that all our players, staff and families are safe from the terrible fires," head coach Steve Fisher said. "(Assistant coach) Brian Dutcher just got clearance to go back into his home at 1:45 p.m. (PT) on Thursday, so we have tried to be sensitive to his needs. Our players have volunteered at Qualcomm Stadium. We have practiced twice a day on Wednesday and Thursday. We are very hopeful that the fires are under control and those who have had fires damage their homes are safe. We wish everybody good health."
Women's Basketball
The women's basketball team continues practice as usual inside Cox Arena with its first exhibition game set for Nov. 8 versus Love & Basketball.