SU athletic teams pitch in to help victims of Hurricane Katrina

SALISBURY, Md. - Two years after Hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf Coast the region is still rebuilding. On Thursday, 1,200 miles away from New Orleans, several members of the Salisbury University volleyball team helped to load old Sea Gull athletic equipment and uniforms into a truck headed south to the rebuilding area.

The effort is being spearheaded by Frostburg State University swimming coach Dr. Troy Strieby. Strieby made a trip to New Orleans a year ago to donate sporting equipment to high schools in need.

"I saw the devastation firsthand," said Strieby. "The high school still had water in its basement a year after Katrina hit. Those schools are missing a lot of stuff."

Strieby contacted SU coach Margie Knight earlier this week to see if the Sea Gulls would be interested in donating. Knight, who coaches softball and volleyball at SU, was able to round up over a dozen large boxes of equipment in a few days. Items donated included old uniforms, bats, balls, volleyballs, gloves, etc. The defending NCAA Division III men's lacrosse team donated their old gold jerseys and shorts for the cause.

"It is wonderful to give to people that can benefit from using this equipment," said Knight. "We are glad to donate to this cause. A piece of SU will now be on the athletic fields of New Orleans helping future student-athletes realize and continue their dreams."

Strieby will drive 22 hours in his pick-up truck with a trailer of goods to New Orleans. He hopes to do another trip around Thanksgiving and in December.

"I want to thank Salisbury University for their generous donations today," said Strieby. "I wanted to involve SU because of our state connection and since the Sea Gulls are always into volunteering and helping out others in the sporting world."