VSU Student-Athletes Look for New Normal After Hurricane Helene

VSU's volleyball team prepares to leave for a roadtrip following the devastation of Hurricane Helene on campus.

VALDOSTA, Ga. – Nothing is normal at Valdosta State University following Hurricane Helene. Hundreds of trees are down campus wide; all classes and business operations have been canceled until October 7, and all athletic home events have either been canceled, postponed, or moved to the opponents’ site.

For VSU’s student-athletes and their coaches, it has been an adjustment.

“We haven’t practiced, we haven’t seen each other, we haven’t been able to do anything,” said Kaleigh Zoucha, Blazer volleyball head coach.

Volleyball senior Mackenzie Murray is no stranger to hurricanes.

“I am from Texas, I also went to school in Louisiana, and we had Idalia here last year, but this is the biggest one for me so far,” said Murray.

Blazer volleyball is hitting the road to play a couple matches. Since VSU’s campus is closed, they will also spend the week in Birmingham getting in some much-needed practice.

Unable to practice at the Fieldhouse, Blazer football is also hitting the road after a few difficult days.

“It’s been tough,” said Tremaine Jackson, head football coach at VSU. “We last saw each other in person on Thursday, and then Thursday night the hurricane happened. We have been checking in with each other via texts and phone calls. These are guys who have been in a routine but haven’t been able to do anything since last Thursday.”

Blazer football is headed to Atlanta where they will stay at Georgia State University and practice at various facilities ahead of Saturday’s game at Shorter University in Rome, Georgia.

Senior quarterback Sammy Edwards says the last few days have been strange.   

“This week I’m just trying to focus on being focused,” said Edwards. “This situation is just kind of weird, it’s kind of unchartered territory being at another school. I’m just trying to focus on our assignments and get some sort of a schedule away from home.”

Jackson says his team has many people to thank for reaching out following Hurricane Helene.

“People have been really hospitable to our team and our program,” said Jackson. “Georgia State, Georgia Tech, Greater Atlanta Christian School, those are places that have helped us. The USG [University System of Georgia] has really helped us, and our on-campus administration has been really good about helping us continue on our quest for a championship in spite of what is going on with the hurricane.”

Also, Shorter University is going to feed the Blazer football team and staff after the game on Saturday.

Both Blazer volleyball and football say they are already seeing some good come from the Hurricane devastation.

“We have had a lot of people reach out, family and friends of the program,” said Jackson. “It has been a really good deal to be a Blazer.”

“We have seen some amazing things come out of this storm, seeing everyone helping in the community,” said Zoucha.

Blazer soccer is headed to Americus on Thursday to prepare for their “home” matches against Alabama Huntsville and West Alabama. The original home games for VSU were moved there due to damage at The Fieldhouse on campus.

For those asking how they can help VSU’s students, faculty, and staff in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, a VSU Cares fund has been established. Those interested can learn more or donate here. 

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