News Summary
Furman University is grappling with severe disruptions caused by Hurricane Helene, which hit Greenville, South Carolina, on September 26, 2024. Extensive flooding, power outages, and structural damage have forced the university to close until September 29, impacting their scheduled football game against Samford. After being denied a request to host the game at Clemson University, Furman is exploring other venue options but faces ongoing logistical challenges, leading to the indefinite postponement of the game.
Furman University Seeks Help After Hurricane Helene Disrupts Football Plans
In Greenville, South Carolina, the aftermath of Hurricane Helene has provided quite the challenge for Furman University. The storm made landfall on September 26, 2024, unleashing its fury on the campus. Furman faced serious consequences: extensive flooding, downed trees, and significant damage to buildings left the university without power, prompting its closure through September 29.
Game Day Plans Gone Awry
Furman was all set to play a highly anticipated football game against Samford on September 28 at its Paladin Stadium, which can welcome up to 16,000 fans. However, with the campus in shambles, the university turned to its neighbor and rival, Clemson University, seeking a lifeline. Furman requested to host the game at Clemson’s impressive Memorial Stadium, which boasts a staggering capacity of 81,500. This seemed like a reasonable request given the circumstances, right?
Clemson’s Response
Unfortunately for Furman, the athletic department at Clemson had to deny the request. According to communications revealed, the reason cited was that the community was “stretched to the limit.” Clemson had quickly restored power thanks to its underground utility system, allowing it to focus on hosting its own game against Stanford on the originally scheduled date, September 28. Meetings were held between Clemson city and university officials to dive into the logistics of managing events amid the aftermath of the storm.
A Difficult Situation
Furman’s athletic director, Jason Donnelly, acknowledged the tough circumstances. The request was made to explore the possibility of bringing the game to Clemson due to the loss of power and overwhelming tree damage at their own facilities. However, even if Clemson had given the green light, complications arose surrounding Samford’s ability to travel. The impacts of the storm had led to canceled hotel accommodations, making it impossible for Samford to reach the game.
Alternative Venues Considered
With no immediate solution, Furman looked into a few other venues that could host the game. They considered spots like Anderson University, Kennesaw State University, and even high schools in the Atlanta area. But as the days went by, none of these options seemed feasible either.
The Final Blow
Regrettably, on September 27, Furman’s scheduled game against Samford was postponed indefinitely, and by November 21, it was officially canceled. Meanwhile, Clemson continued with its original plan, successfully hosting Stanford on September 28 in front of a near-packed crowd, winning the game by an impressive 26 points.
Support for the Community
As if that wasn’t busy enough, the Clemson basketball arena stepped up to support those affected by Hurricane Helene as well. They opened their doors to provide charging stations and hot showers for community members needing assistance during the tough recovery period.
A Rare Precedent
While it’s not common for Clemson to allow other teams to use its facilities for games, they’ve done so in emergencies before, though it’s quite rare. Historically, we’ve seen other state colleges relocate games due to unfavorable weather situations. For instance, in 2015, South Carolina made the decision to shift a game to LSU when severe flooding hit.
Looking Ahead
As the dust settles from Hurricane Helene, the focus now shifts toward recovery and planning for an uncertain future. Furman University and Clemson University are showcasing the spirit of resilience in the face of adversity. These events serve as a reminder of the unexpected challenges that can arise and how communities come together through teamwork, support, and a bit of creative thinking.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Spectrum Supports Greenville’s Hurricane Helene Recovery
Proposed Luxurious Inn on the Horizon in Travelers Rest
Furman University Announces New Sustainability Initiatives
Power Restoration Efforts Underway After Tree-Related Outages in Greenville Area
Greenville Blood Drive at Fluor Field on March 15th
Greenville County Schools Addresses Hurricane Helene’s Impact
Greenville to Upgrade Power Lines Following Hurricane Helene
Furman University Launches New Sustainability Initiative
2nd Annual SC Resilience Conference Set for Greenville
Upstate Schools Transition to E-Learning Amid Snow Forecast
Additional Resources
- The State: Clemson University
- Catamount Sports: Schedule Updates
- WBRC: Samford Football Game Postponed
- Greenville Online: Clemson University Closure
- AS.com: College Football Games Affected by Hurricane Helene
Author: STAFF HERE GREENVILLE
The HERE Greenville Staff Writers are a collaborative team of journalists, editors, and local contributors passionate about delivering accurate, timely information to the Greenville community. As part of the HEREcity.com Network, which powers over 100 U.S. city sites including HEREcolumbia.com, our staff draws on collective experience in South Carolina journalism to cover everything from business sales and real estate developments to dining deals and community initiatives. Our Expertise and Background Local Roots in Greenville Our team includes lifelong Greenville residents and SC natives with deep knowledge of the area’s history, economy, and culture. We’ve covered key events like the recent sales in the Heritage Historic District 17 , Greenville’s textile and railroad heritage 2 , and growth in local education sectors (e.g., Greenville Technical College programs) 27 . Collective Experience With over 50 combined years in journalism, our staff has backgrounds in print, digital media, and community reporting. We prioritize fact-based stories, drawing from sources like the Greenville Chamber of Commerce, city government records, and on-the-ground interviews. Commitment to Quality Every article is a group effort, involving research, editing, and verification to ensure reliability. We adhere to journalistic standards, citing credible sources and updating content as new details emerge.
