Aftermath of Hurricane Matthew in Cuba
FLORENCE, Ala. — With Hurricane Matthew expected to impact Central Florida beginning Thursday evening, the University of North Alabama’s football game with Florida Tech, scheduled for Saturday in Melbourne, Fla., has been cancelled.
Early Wednesday, Florida Tech announced that it would be suspending operations and weekend athletic events beginning Wednesday, Oct. 5, at 12:50 p.m. ET until Tuesday, Oct. 11.
Discussions between UNA and Florida Tech were not able to work out an alternate solution.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone at Florida Tech and everyone in the path of this storm,” Linder said. “We explored every option as far as playing the game at an alternate site or alternate date but neither of those would work.”
With both FIT and UNA having a full slate of games scheduled for the remainder of the season, there is not an opportunity for this game to be rescheduled.
While disappointed that the game will not be played, Linder said there were no other options.
“It comes down to a safety concern and that has to be the top priority,” Linder said.
UNA, currently 3-1 overall and 3-0 in the Gulf South Conference, will have five regular-season games remaining, beginning with a Homecoming contest against Shorter on Oct. 15.
The cancellation of the Florida Tech game will leave North Alabama with just nine regular-season contests. While a minimum 10-game schedule is required to be eligible for NCAA Division II Playoff consideration, Linder said UNA would immediately begin the process of filing a waiver with the NCAA in regards to post-season eligibilty.
