“Sport has the power to change the world. It has the power to inspire. It has the power to unite people in a way that little else does. Sport can awaken hope where there is previously only despair.” - Nelson Mandela

The Southeastern Conference is known to be one of the most competitive and talented conferences in college football. Competitiveness not only runs deep in the players’ blood, it also runs deep in the blood of the coaches, families, alumnae, and surrounding community members.

Football in itself is not known for its hospitality. It is not known for its friendliness or its compassion. Rivalries are more than intense. On and off the field, college football is vicious.

This past week, the state I call home experienced a devastating natural disaster, leaving many without water, power, or safe shelter. It has been a trying time for the state of South Carolina, but the amount of hope, positivity, and outreach we have received has been incredible. Once USC President Pastides made the decision to cancel classes for the rest of this week, our attention was brought to another challenge that this weather presented our community: the upcoming and highly anticipated matchup between the South Carolina Gamecocks and Louisiana State University Tigers. Would the game still be played as scheduled? Could our community handle hosting an event in the middle of this devastation? Was the field even in shape to have a game played there?

Yesterday it was decided that the game would be held at Death Valley in Baton Rouge, Louisiana this Saturday. Some Gamecock fans were upset about this decision. However, many fans have changed their mind after hearing how LSU is working to make this experience much more enjoyable and memorable for those from South Carolina.

The LSU athletics department has gone above and beyond throughout this entire process. LSU head coach Les Miles has shown his support for our University stating, “We want to support South Carolina in anything they want to do.” This includes adding some of the little touches that make a home game an experience, rather than just a sporting game. Even though the game will take place in Baton Rouge, the Gamecocks will be wearing their home game white jerseys. Even though the South Carolina Band will not make their way to Louisiana, the LSU Band will be learning our fight song as well as our alma mater to play before the game. In addition, the LSU Athletics Department will give all proceeds from tickets sold with the exception of the expenses LSU will have for hosting the game.

LSU has shown how sports aren’t just about winning and losing. LSU has shown the sportsmanship and unity we like to see emerge from sports. While these storms have shown a cruel and unrelenting side of Mother Nature, they have also given us the opportunity to witness compassion. Louisiana understands the power of a natural disaster and the response needed from those in surrounding areas from their experiences with Hurricane Katrina, and this is proven with how they have handled this game. (In 2005, they had to move their home game versus Arizona State to Tempe, Arizona.)

Even though LSU is not in immediate proximity to South Carolina, their actions are those of a helpful neighbor. In a fiercely competitive and vicious conference, we are still shown just how powerful sports can be and what they can do for a community.