Dec. 20, 2007

Tulsa, Oklahoma - The University of Tulsa football tem continues preparations for its January 6th appearance in the GMAC Bowl against Bowling Green State University, but took time on Thursday afternoon to partner with Team Relief and pitch in to help the local community.

The Tulsa area was hit with an ice storm last week that had over 240,000 citizens left without power and incredible damage to trees that left limbs littering Tulsa-area streets and yards. Some families are still waiting to receive power in their homes.

Team Relief is the Outreach department of Guts Church. Pastor Bill Scheer enlisted the assistance of Tulsa Head Coach Todd Graham and the entire Golden Hurricane football team.

Following a two-hour morning practice on Thursday, the Tulsa football team, players and coaches, took part in the clean-up program. The team split up into five different teams and was transported to different areas of the city for clean-up duty. Those areas included the areas surrounding Gary Park (1200 S. Gary), Pratt Park (1600 S. Florence), Florence Park (21st and Gary), Springdale Park (260 East Pine), Hicks Park (3300 Mingo), Reed Park (41st and Union) and the Riverside Drive area. Tulsa Mayor Kathy Taylor expressed her sincere gratitude to the Golden Hurricane team before they departed on their missions.

"This is something very important in what we're trying educate our kids about --being a part of something bigger than yourself, said Graham. "Giving back to the community is something we think is very important. Our guys have a great spirit about them as you can tell with how they've approached this community service.

"We want our student-athletes to learn that it's important to give back to the community and help your fellow citizens. It's all part of being a team player," added Graham.

The Hurricane football team will practice on Friday morning before receiving four days off for the Christmas holiday. The team will return to campus on December 26th to continue Bowl Game preparations, and leave for Mobile, Alabama, the site of the Ninth Annual GMAC Bowl, on December 31st.

Tulsa will continue its preparations in Mobile before kick-off on Sunday night, January 6th, at 7:00 pm (CT)