The Official South Carolina Athletics Site
Athletics News
SEC to Donate $500,000 to Alabama to Aid Students, Faculty and Staff
 
<blank>

May 5, 2011

The Southeastern Conference will donate $500,000 to the University of Alabama to support its efforts in assisting students, faculty and staff that were adversely impacted by the tornados of April 27.

"Our hearts go out to all the victims of these recent tornados but especially to our academic colleagues and their students," said Dr. Bernie Machen, President of the University of Florida and the Southeastern Conference. "While we compete fiercely in athletics we also support each other fiercely in times of need. The efforts of the conference and our institutions will help alleviate the effects of this devastating catastrophe."

This contribution will supplement other individual institutional contributions and fundraising efforts.

"The tornados that went through Tuscaloosa have severely impacted the lives of students, faculty and staff of the University of Alabama, and will continue to do so for months to come," said SEC Commissioner Mike Slive. "We express our sympathies and prayers to everyone who has been impacted by this storm and we are pleased to be able to assist in the recovery efforts."

SEC fans are encouraged to donate to the University of Alabama's "UA Acts of Kindness Fund", which has been established to support an emergency-assistance program for university faculty, staff and students. A link to donate to the fund can be accessed on the University's website, www.ua.edu.

"The University of Alabama is extremely grateful to the Southeastern Conference for this donation," said Dr. Robert E. Witt, President of the University of Alabama. "During the past week, it has been heartwarming to see the efforts of so many people support the victims of the tornados. The University will continue to move forward as a family."