TCC, Panhandle Conference teams assisting those in need
Chipola College, Gulf Coast State College to continue athletic seasons following Hurricane Michael
TCC, Panhandle Conference teams assisting those in need Chipola College, Gulf Coast State College to continue athletic seasons following Hurricane Michael Check out this story on tallahassee.com: https://www.tallahassee.com/story/sports/2018/10/23/tcc-conference-teams-assisting-those-need/1735003002/
Jim Henry, Tallahassee Democrat Published 11:22 a.m. ET Oct. 23, 2018 | Updated 12:21 p.m. ET Oct. 23, 2018
Hurricane Michael knocked down trees and power lines across Jackson County.(Photo: Jeff Burlew/Democrat)Buy Photo
The goal is simple yet powerful due to the circumstances.
"We are looking to get things going again the best we can," said Jeff Johnson, athletics director and baseball coach at Chipola College in Marianna.
The Indians' athletics program has been paused since Hurricane Michael flexed its unprecedented strength and ravaged the Gulf Coast nearly two weeks ago.
The suffering continues in Marianna, where residents remain in need of basic supplies. Michael arrived in the Panhandle town - 60 miles west of Tallahassee - with rain and wind gusts up to 102 mph. Power is not expected to be fully restored for 10 or 11 more days, according to emergency management officials.
Johnson's home near the Indians' baseball field – where he has lived for 22 years - was damaged by the Category 4 storm and ruled a total loss by his insurance company.
"We will figure it out," said Johnson, adding that countless others in the region have it far worse.
Despite the despair, there are signs of recovery.
Hurricane Michael aftermath in Marianna and rural areas
At the Big Little gas station in Marianna, Fla. on Friday, Oct. 12, 2018, the station was torn to shreds after Hurricane Michael rips through the panhandle. Alicia Devine/Democrat
A car is left crushed under the weight of an oak tree in Marianna, Fla. on Friday, Oct. 12, 2018, after Hurricane Michael rips through the panhandle. Alicia Devine/Democrat
Trees snapped like twigs and took no mercy on homes and businesses in Marianna, Fla. on Friday, Oct. 12, 2018, after Hurricane Michael rips through the panhandle. Alicia Devine/Democrat
At the Oak Station shopping plaza in Marianna, Fla. on Friday, Oct. 12, 2018, store fronts are left in disarray after Hurricane Michael rips through the panhandle. Alicia Devine/Democrat
At Madison's Warehouse, a restaurant located in downtown Marianna, Fla. on Friday, Oct. 12, 2018, the restaurant was left in pieces after Hurricane Michael rips through the panhandle. Alicia Devine/Democrat
At a vacant business located in downtown Marianna, Fla. on Friday, Oct. 12, 2018, the front wall was left as a pile of bricks and wood after Hurricane Michael rips through the panhandle. Alicia Devine/Democrat
Power line poles line the streets in Marianna, Fla. on Friday, Oct. 12, 2018, after Hurricane Michael rips through the panhandle. Alicia Devine/Democrat
Trees toppled over blocking many of the roadways in Marianna, Fla. on Friday, Oct. 12, 2018, after Hurricane Michael rips through the panhandle. Alicia Devine/Democrat
St. Luke's Baptist Church in Marianna, Fla. on Friday, Oct. 12, 2018, is left with shattered stained glass windows, missing doors and a pile of bricks after Hurricane Michael rips through the panhandle. Alicia Devine/Democrat
Barne's Tire & Supply in Marianna, Fla. on Friday, Oct. 12, 2018, is without a roof, walls, and garage doors after Hurricane Michael rips through the panhandle. Alicia Devine/Democrat
A reminder of hope shines in the aftermath of a disaster caused by Hurricane Michael in Marianna, Fla. on Friday, Oct. 12, 2018. As many locals stated, they are alive and safe, things can be replaced. Alicia Devine/Democrat
Heading into Marianna, where the eye wall of Hurricane Michael came through. I-10 clear in all lanes to exit 142, but countless downed pines on the shoulders. Jeffrey Burlew
Hurricane Michael took out a large chunk of the Edward Jones office on Lafayette Street in Marianna. Jeffrey Burlew
Power poles and lines are down everywhere in Marianna. Traffic lights are out and trees are blocking lanes of major roads. Jeffrey Burlew
Oak Station shopping center in Marianna. Jeffrey Burlew
Major damage to The Waffle Iron of Marianna. Jeffrey Burlew
Roof torn off Mowrey Elevator Company building in Marianna. Jeffrey Burlew
Downtown Marianna destruction. Jeffrey Burlew
Trees down, windows broken, Confederate monument damaged at the Jackson County Courthouse in Marianna. Jeffrey Burlew
Roof gone at bowling alley in Highway 90 in Marianna. Jeffrey Burlew
Overturned truck off Highway 90 in Marianna. Jeffrey Burlew
A bird's eye view of Indian Springs, a subdivision in Marianna, Fla. after Hurricane Michael rips through the panhandle on Oct. 10, 2018. Seventy Eight Degree Media
Classes resumed Monday at Chipola, a two-year school in the Panhandle Conference. The nearly 100 student-athletes and five athletic teams – baseball, softball, men's and women's basketball and cross country – will soon hit the reset button.
Athletic schedules were altered by Michael.
Baseball and softball had started their preseason practices and games. The basketball teams were preparing for jamborees and the start of the regular season next month. Cross country is nearing a close with Friday's region meet in Tallahassee.
Johnson hopes to return to practice Thursday, but go figure – there's a 90 percent chance of rain. A minor inconvenience in the big picture.
"There are a lot of layers to this thing," Johnson said of a return to normalcy.
"It's awful. I am worried about the long-term effects of this thing. There are students who might not be able to make it back. There are faculty members without homes. It has been tough."
Chipola College baseball coach Jeff Johnson (center) with former players Russell Martin (left, Toronto Blue Jays) and Jose Bautista (Blue Jays). (Photo: Chipola College baseball photo)
Chipola's basketball teams evacuated in advance of Michael, making the best of a bad situation The men headed to Gainesville, where it has practiced at the University of Florida and Santa Fe College. It also played in a jamboree in Orlando. The women drove to Vincennes, Indiana, where a family connection helped with accommodations and practices at Vincennes University. Both teams are scheduled to return to campus Tuesday.
Men's coach Brendan Foley actually returned to Marianna Monday for a few hours to check on his home that was damaged by the storm. His home will be fine, but Foley was stunned by what he saw – mounds of rubble that were once flourishing businesses and neighborhoods. He felt numb during his three-hour return drive to Gainesville.
"We saw photos and reports but it doesn't compare to when you see it," Foley said. "It looked like a war zone. I am thankful we were able to get the team out of there. But we also talked to the players to let them know what to expect. It's going to put things in perspective in how lucky we are."
Never underestimate the human spirit.
TCC basketball players help collect relief items for hurricane victims during the Eagles' jamboree last Saturday at Maclay. (Photo: Rob Chaney/TCC athletics)
The five-team Panhandle Conference is considered one of the nation's best. Chipola baseball and Tallahassee Community College women's basketball are defending national champions. The schools - TCC, Chipola, Pensacola State College, Northwest Florida State College and Gulf Coast State College, which remains closed following the hurricane - are separated by 180 miles at their farthest points.
They are much closer in time of need.
At TCC's Southern Challenge Jamboree last Saturday at Maclay, the Eagles' women's basketball players helped collect relief items donated by the competing teams. Those contributions and others that TCC collected were taken to Marianna on Monday. Additionally, TCC is currently serving as the coordinating site for schools in the Florida College System that want to send item to those in need.
"As competitive as we are with one another, the Panhandle Conference schools are filled with student-athletes who grew up together and played sports on the same teams from the time they were kids – and it's similar with the coaches and administrators," said Rob Chaney, TCC's director of athletics and former Panhandle Conference chair.
"We've known each other and worked together for years, so there's an obvious concern when something of this magnitude takes places and you just want to help in any way you can."
Last week, Gulf Coast State College announced it would continue its athletic seasons. Teams will compete offsite and around the state until the school can reopen. TCC, Pensacola State College and NW Florida State College are ready to assist in any way possible, from opening their facilities to host a practice or game to coordinating relief efforts, according to Chaney.
"Athletics at Gulf Coast State College and Chipola College play a vital role in their communities, so the ability for those teams to resume some sense of normalcy, even if it's a lengthy process, can be a source of encouragement for those who have been so adversely impacted by the storm," Chaney said.
Tallahassee suffered considerable damage, too, but it was spared the worst. TCC also tweaked its athletic schedules due to the storm. The women's basketball jamboree was moved to Maclay since the Eagles' Lifetime Sports Complex served as a Red Cross Shelter. Baseball and softball have resumed fall practice. Men's basketball, too. And the cross country team competed in its first meet since Sept. 7 last weekend in preparation for Friday's regional meet at Apalachee Regional Park.
A mere 60 miles away, Johnson is looking forward to Chipola's teams returning to classes and practices. It's an important step forward to help bring the campus and city back to life.
"People here have really come together," Johnson said. "In fact, people here and the surrounding counties have been unbelievable in reaching out and wanting to help each other. You have to start somewhere. We will get this thing going again."
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