Weather concerns disrupt bowls’ plans

The threat of wintry weather has altered one instate team’s postseason plans and scrapped those of another.

Organizers of the inaugural Live United Texarkana Bowl announced Thursday that the game scheduled for Saturday between Harding and Texas A&M-Commerce has been pushed back because of an ice storm that is expected to cover most of the state and make it difficult for teams and fans to travel.

Allen Brown, chairman of the bowl committee, said Thursday night that the Texarkana Bowl will now be played at 6 p.m. Dec. 13.

“We can’t describe the feeling and the emotions that the committee is going through right now,” Brown said Thursday afternoon after the initial announcement that the game would be postponed. “We’ve been 100 percent supported by our local community and our local businesses. It’s disappointing that Mother Nature has stepped in.”

It also was announced Thursday that the C.H.A.M.P.S. Heart of Texas Bowl in Copperas Cove, Texas, has been cancelled. Ouachita Baptist was scheduled to play Tarleton State on Saturday in that game, but OBU Athletic Director David Sharp said no make-up date was considered by bowl organizers.

“We’re thrilled that we were selected to play in it, and it was an honor,” Sharp said. “It’s unfortunate, but you’ve got to look after the student welfare, too.”

Harding was scheduled to leave its Searcy campus Thursday night, but the National Weather Service issued an ice storm warning for White County, where Harding is located, and Miller County, where Texarkana is.

Both schools start final exams next week. Will Prewitt, commissioner of the Great American Conference, said Texas A&M-Commerce is seeking an NCAA waiver that would allow it to pay for players’ flights home after the bowl game, and the waiver is in the process of being finalized.

Brown said about 3,350 tickets had been sold for the game, and those will be honored.

Sports, Pages 21 on 12/06/2013

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