Sept. 16, 2005

Columbia, SC – Collecting money the past 24 hours, the University of South Carolina Athletics Department coaches and staff donated $15,000 to the South Carolina Cares fund today. A check was presented this afternoon at the Naval Observatory to Columbia Mayor Bob Coble, Congressman James E. Clyburn and South Carolina Cares Chairman Sam Tenenbaum by USC basketball coach Dave Odom, on behalf of the USC Athletics Department.

The money will go directly to South Carolina Cares, a private non-profit organization working to aid the victims from Hurricane Katrina who have relocated to the Midlands area. The check donation was the first official donation to South Carolina Cares.

The fund collected by USC was officially called CAROLINA ATHLETICS CARES FOR KATRINA. Odom was quick to point out this was just the beginning of donations from the university.

“This is a worthy cause and a chance for USC to show the evacuees they are truly part of the Gamecock Family,” said Odom.

Representing the USC head coaches and staff at the check presentation were women’s tennis coach Arlo Elkins, men’s tennis coach Kent DeMars, women’s basketball coach Susan Walvius, track and field coach Curtis Frye and Karen Tanner (baseball coach Ray Tanner’s wife). Also in attendance for USC at the presentation were USC President Dr. Sorensen, USC Athletics Director Eric Hyman and USC Senior Associate Athletics Director Harold White.

Members of the public are also encouraged to donate to South Carolina Cares by sending checks, made out to SOUTH CAROLINA CARES. The address is:

South Carolina Cares PO Box 608 Columbia, SC 29202

REMINDER In addition to this effort, the University of South Carolina, in cooperation with the American Red Cross and South Carolina Cares, will collect money at the Alabama football game on Saturday, Sept. 17 to aid the victims of Hurricane Katrina. The collection has been tabbed Garnet and Black Giving Back.