With Baton Rouge dealing with record flooding, a number of folks involved with the Southeastern Conference have stepped up to help those in need. Alabama men’s basketball coach Avery Johnson is the latest among those to lend a hand.
After hearing about the struggles of the residents of Baton Rouge, Johnson decided to help out by sending an 18-wheeler of supplies to Baton Rouge. He is among of group of SEC teams and athletes who have helped out Baton Rouge.
Supplies delivered to FG Clark shelter courtesy of @CoachAvery6, former SU Jag & @AlabamaMBB coach. @WAFB pic.twitter.com/xAV1mLJaYf
— Robert Hollins (@senatorhollins) August 18, 2016
Johnson already had a strong connection to Louisiana. He was a standout basketball player at Southern University, and the court at the school was named after the Crimson Tide head coach.
“It speaks volumes to what type of person he is,” said Roman Banks, Southern’s interim athletic director and men’s basketball coach. “He is small in stature but grand in heart.”
Johnson first heard about the flooding that devastated Baton Rouge over the news. Then he reached for his phone.
“He called me and he said, ‘What can I do to help? I want to make sure I’m there to help my campus and help the city of Baton Rouge,’ ” Banks said. “We started talking. I told him some things they were in need of, and he said, ‘I got it from there.’
“Before I knew it, he said he was sending an 18-wheeler full of supplies.”
The truck ended up at an activity center that is currently housing those whose homes that were damaged in the flooding. From there, Southern University athletes helped transport the supplies to those at the make-shift shelter.
The donations have come from far and wide for those in Baton Rouge. The LSU baseball team went out into the community and helped those who are dealing with the aftermath of the flood. South Carolina is also sending a truck full of supplies to the home of its SEC brethren.
It's OUR turn to help out LSU in this time of need. More info to help at https://t.co/FnnZ6pG6Wq pic.twitter.com/XKL1Rcn9Ku
— Gamecock Beach VB (@GamecockBeachVB) August 17, 2016