Football: Heroes of the Flood – UL athletes bring the muscle

Tim Buckley, The Advertiser, Aug. 17, 2016

As the downpour of rain subsided but flood waters continued to rise, soaking homes and displacing families throughout much of Acadiana and elsewhere in Louisiana, the University of Louisiana at Lafayette football team wondered how it could help.

“On Sunday, everybody had the same feeling,” Ragin’ Cajuns director of football operations Troy Wingerter said Tuesday.

“As soon as we walked in the door, I had two offensive players who were in my office asking questions about what we were gonna do. (Head) Coach (Mark) Hudspeth walked in my office wondering what we were gonna do, and clearly we needed a plan.”

So Wingerter made some calls and by Tuesday afternoon busses were ready to take 100-plus Ragin’ Cajun football players to Youngsville so they could help remove everything from carpeting to sheet rock from flooded homes there.

It’s the Cajuns’ way of giving back, Hudspeth said Tuesday.

“That’s important for a young man — to learn the importance of giving back to your community,” Hudspeth said. “This is just a life lesson we’re trying to teach them, but also it’s our responsibility. You know, our community supports us. We have great crowds.

“So it is important that we give back … because it’s the right thing to do. That’s what we’re trying to get across to our kids.”

Athletic Network Footnote by Ed Dugas.

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