Stillman cancels football home/season opener due to flu virus

September 3, 5:54 PMAlabama Crimson Tide ExaminerVince Ferrara

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Division II Stillman College - TheSIAC.com

Stillman College in Tuscaloosa has canceled it's season and home opener scheduled for this Saturday at 5pm vs. Clark Atlanta. The Stillman Athletics Media Relations Department issued that release below.

Stillman Cancels First Home Game to Stave Off Flu
TUSCALOOSA, AL—Stillman officials have monitored the wellbeing of its campus community since confirmed cases of the H1N1 virus were reported across town at the University of Alabama.

“A college environment is an ideal place for the virus to spread,” said Dr. Sharon Whittaker, Vice President for Student Affairs at Stillman. “You have hundreds of students from across the state and country living communally, so we have been vigilant in our efforts to protect not only our students, but the entire campus community.”

A few of the College’s football players are suffering flu-like symptoms. In an effort to protect its student body, faculty and staff, officials have decided to cancel the College’s first home game against Clark Atlanta University on Saturday, September 5.

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Guidance for Responses to Influenza for Institutions of Higher Education during the 2009-2010 Academic Year, events such as football games or concerts that bring large groups together may pose a high risk of exposure and transmission of flu.

“We are understandably concerned about the welfare of our players and our fans,” said Curtis Campbell, Stillman Athletic Director. “ I believe it would be irresponsible to ignore the possibility of putting our team, fans and the general public at risk.”

An article in the September 2nd edition of The Washington Post, cited the American College Health Association’s statistics of swine flu activity at colleges and universities with 55 percent of 165 institutions surveyed reporting a total of 1,640 cases the week of Aug. 22-28.

“Our players and coaches are very disappointed about the cancellation and unfortunately, we are unable to reschedule this game,” said Campbell.
-STILLMAN-