In the wake of the devastating effect of Hurricane Katrina on residents of New Orleans and the Gulf Coast region, many athletics departments at NCAA institutions organized relief efforts and fund-raising initiatives to help the victims. The collegiality from NCAA institutions was not unlike that displayed after 9/11 when colleges and universities across the country banded together to help a region in crisis.

While it is impossible to recognize all the efforts that have occurred in the weeks after the August 29 storm, the following is a partial list of NCAA member schools that have notified The NCAA News of their relief efforts:

• The University of South Carolina, Columbia, collected money for relief efforts at its September 17 home football game against the University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa. Half of those proceeds were directed to the American Red Cross' local efforts, and the rest went to South Carolina Cares, an organization that helps hurricane victims who have relocated.

• The University of Maryland, Baltimore County, announced a Katrina Relief Fund Men's Fall Lacrosse Classic to be held October 15 at UMBC Stadium. The lacrosse programs at all four of the participating institutions -- UMBC, the University of Delaware, Georgetown University and Princeton University -- will donate $500 each to the American Red Cross. Tournament sponsors also will contribute to the fund. All-day passes for the event are $10, with those proceeds also benefiting hurricane victims.

• Wittenberg University's women's volleyball team conducted a clothing drive during its inaugural Border Battle September 17-18, featuring the top NCAA Division III teams in Ohio and Michigan. Players on each team brought more than 100 articles of new or gently used clothing to contribute. Spectators making contributions at the door were admitted free of charge. "Volleyball players are notorious for having closets full of T-shirts, sweatshirts and warm-ups that accumulate over years of playing," said Wittenberg coach Paco Labrador. "As a team we felt we could help those in need, and we knew this weekend would be a good opportunity to invite the teams and spectators to share some good will with the victims of Hurricane Katrina."

• On its trip to play Nicholls State University September 17, the Cheyney University of Pennsylvania football team brought along 100 cases of bottled water to donate to the victims of Hurricane Katrina. "There are things in life more important than college football," said Cheyney Athletics Director Patric Simon. "If this small gesture helps put people's lives back together, then this trip will be worth it, regardless of the outcome of the game."

• Merrimack College collected donations during its Sep-
  tember 17 football game against Bentley College -- the first night game in the history of the program. The effort supplements an earlier Merrimack College donation of more than

$2,500 to the American Red Cross.

• Birmingham-Southern College enrolled 30 displaced students from institutions in the hurricane's path. School alumni also donated the use of vacation homes or other accommodations they may have in the Gulf Coast region to help displaced alumni and families of students.

• Coastal Carolina University's athletics departments supplemented its school's fund-raising effort by collecting at two women's soccer home games and the September 10 home football game against James Madison University.

• Days after donating $1,500 to relief efforts, the Virginia Commonwealth University athletics department organized student-athletes to join with the American Red Cross in collecting donations at the September 10 NASCAR race at Richmond International Raceway.

• Austin Peay State University student-athletes packaged 1,250 pounds of canned food, water supplies, paper supplies and clothing, and also donated cash to the American Red Cross. More than 800 evacuees are located in the campus town of Clarksville, Tennessee. "I appreciate the work of our coaches and, in particular, our student-athletes in making this effort so worthwhile," said Athletics Director Dave Loos. "This says a lot about the spirit and the heart of everyone involved, from those donating to those collecting the items."

• The Towson University swimming and diving program raised more than $21,000 from their Laps 4 Life event September 10. Head coach Pat Mead spearheaded the event in which Mead, the men's and women's swimming teams and alumni swam 200 laps in two hours. The projected goal for the event was $20,000 but, as donations continue to come in, Mead expects the total to reach nearly $25,000. "We did the laps," Mead said, "but it's the caring and generosity of the community that made this event such a success."

• Tucson-based World Care collected supplies at the September 10 football game between the University of Arizona and Northern Arizona University. Arizona also offered tickets to Gulf Coast residents who were evacuated to Tucson and acknowledged those people during a moment of silence before the game. "In the weeks to come, our student-athletes and cheerleaders will be planning additional events to assist with the hurricane relief effort," said Athletics Director Jim Livengood.

• The College Sports Information Directors Association board organized financial donations for CoSIDA members adversely affected by the storm. The board purchased $400 gift cards from Wal-Mart and Target, representing a $10,000 financial commitment. The board also agreed to match two-for-one all contributions up to $50,000 from CoSIDA members. In addition, for each $100 donation from a board member, CoSIDA is making a $1,500 commitment to the fund.

• The Siena College women's basketball team hosted a shooting clinic September 11 to raise relief funds. The Siena sports medicine department also lent a hand by asking for donations throughout the school's Marcelle Athletic Complex.