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First, I think all of us should take a moment to keep our friends and neighbors on the Gulf Coast in our thoughts and prayers as Hurricane Ivan comes ashore.

Second, just saw on Fox Sports that the University of Houston is offering discount tickets to the Cougars' game against Army this weekend for anyone from one of the coastal states affected by the storm who has evacuated to Houston. Rice University is offering FREE tickets to the Owls' game against Hawaii this weekend for anyone who has evacuated to Houston from the affected coastal states, too.

Too bad SMU is playing in Stillwater this weekend. I've heard news reports that a lot of people have evacuated as far north as Dallas. SMU could have made a similar offer to get folks out to Ford Stadium. We might have had two sellouts in a row. (Of course, a LOT of OSU fans would account for that sellout!)

Kudos to the folks at Rice and UH. Not that going to a game will salvage any damaged property back home, but for the schools to try and help them enjoy a few hours on a Saturday afternoon is commendable.

Likewise, SMU is hosting a volleyball tournament this weekend that originally was scheduled to be held in New Orleans.

My thoughts are with those who live in endangered areas.