Southeast Missouri State administrators came to the rescue December 15 after an ice storm prevented a Northwest Missouri State caravan of cheerleaders, alumni, faculty and band members from traveling home after the Division II Football Championship.

Southeast Missouri State housed about 400 people in its Student Recreation Center on only 30 minutes’ notice in the middle of the night. The school's residence life and recreation services staff, with help from the American Red Cross, converted two gymnasiums in the recreation center to sleeping quarters, collecting pillows, blankets, towels and sheets from residence halls and summer camps program. Track and field mats, high jump pits, fitness pits and sleeping bags served as makeshift beds. The Red Cross provided 200 cots.

Northwest Missouri State President Dean Hubbard noted the heroic efforts of his fellow Missourians in a thank-you letter to Southeast Missouri State President Kenneth W. Dobbins.

"We are grateful that your staff, in the middle of the night, was able to put together a team that not only fed and housed our fans at your basketball arena, but tended to their other needs as well. We cannot thank you enough for your hospitality," Hubbard wrote.

Dobbins said Southeast Missouri State was glad to help. He said the institution practices emergency situations, and this one was a good exercise.

In addition to other necessities, the Red Cross provided an on-site nurse, and volunteers from local businesses helped provide breakfast.

The stranded visitors had the opportunity to repay some of the kindness by helping Southeast Missouri State staff move furniture and starting blocks in the pool area so the surface could be sealed. The group from Northwest Missouri State was able to leave Cape Girardeau, Missouri, by 9 a.m. the following day.