Among those who fled New Orleans in the wake of Hurricane Katrina were members of the Tulane women's soccer team.
The Green Wave got in the first game of its opening weekend tournament – a 4-1 loss to Alabama – before the second day was canceled. The Tulane women have since moved into the Sheraton Convention Center Hotel in Birmingham, Ala., after riding out Hurricane Katrina in a gym at Jackson State in Jackson, Miss.
Tulane is to face Louisville and Kennesaw State this weekend at the UAB Nike Tournament and is scheduled to stay in Birmingham at least through next Wednesday. UAB has provided assistance for the Tulane players and staff.
''Last night was very emotional and eye-opening for the players, to see the devastation on television for the first time,'' said Tulane coach Betsy Anderson. ''But today, we're trying to get back into a routine that we would have on a normal road trip. Throughout this, we've stressed that the safety of our student-athletes comes first.''
The Tulane soccer players were accompanied by four women's tennis players, three of whom are freshmen who have just arrived from abroad.