For more information contact: Katrina McCormack: (561) 297-3163

FAU-Illinois State Football Game Canceled

BOCA RATON, FL – Due to the threat of Hurricane Jeanne, Florida Atlantic University’s football game scheduled for Saturday at Lockhart Stadium against Illinois State University has been canceled. Officials from both schools are hopeful the game can be rescheduled later in the year.

The Illinois State team was scheduled to fly to South Florida on Friday and return following Saturday’s 4:00 pm contest. A hurricane watch was posted for the Florida East Coast early Friday morning, which means hurricane conditions with winds of at least 74 mph are possible within 36 hours.

“They (Illinois State) had to make a decision early today, and based on what they could tell from the forecast, it was decided they wouldn’t bring the team down,” said FAU head coach Howard Schnellenberger, “ It’s best to be safe than sorry.”

“We’re both interested in rescheduling,” added Schnellenberger. “We haven’t looked at the opportunities to do so, but we will very quickly and make a statement in the near future.”

All tickets to the canceled game will be honored should the game be rescheduled. If it is determined the game will not be rescheduled, those tickets can be exchanged for another FAU home game or refunded.

It’s the second time in FAU’s short four-year history that a game has been canceled. The first came on September 15, 2001, when the Owls’ game at James Madison was canceled due to the September 11 terrorist attacks. That contest was not rescheduled.

With the cancellation, Florida Atlantic will not play again until October 9 when it plays at Texas State, a game that will be carried by Fox Sports Florida. The Owls (3-0) have a scheduled bye week October 2. The cancellation also means FAU’s home opener will now be October 23 against Louisiana-Monroe following opening the season with five-straight road games.

Women’s volleyball left, as scheduled, Thursday for a tournament in Greensboro, NC.

Women’s soccer left as scheduled for Boiling Springs, NC to face Gardner-Webb.

Both cross country teams will run as scheduled, today.

Men’s soccer was not scheduled to play.

--FAU--