CHARLESTON, S.C. (Sept. 28, 2024) – After overcoming travel and logistical issues due to the impact of Hurricane Helene, the ETSU football team finally arrived safely in Charleston, S.C. early Saturday morning.
 
The Buccaneers will kick off their Southern Conference opener Saturday evening at 5 p.m. at Johnson Hagood Stadium.
 
Below is a timeline of events from football's travel.
 
Friday, Sept. 27
10:30 a.m. – Team buses leave campus … With the Nolichucky River on the verge of flooding, the team was able to get through on I-26; however, 10 minutes later the road ended up closing and was washed out. Since turning around was not an option, the team continued driving towards Asheville.
 
11 a.m. – Thirty minutes into our drive the team received a report that I-40 was closed in both directions
·      Following that report, the team lost all cell phone reception and internet access, and were unable to get further updates
·      Our bus drivers dispatched calls and were notified that I-26 south was closed
·      From those reports, our buses got off the interstate in Fletcher, N.C. to try and take Spartanburg Highway – unfortunately, the roads were closed due to the flash-flooding
·      With nowhere to go, we parked in a lot off the interstate, but that began to flood
·      From there, we drove a half mile to higher ground and parked the buses for six hours with no information and no way out in either direction
 
6 p.m. – We still had no update due to cell towers being down. Our state trooper and coaches went to find food, and with mostly everything closed, they found an Ingles. The workers at Ingles were extremely helpful and provided us with a bunch of fresh food that they were going to be forced to throw away (free of charge).
·      We were able to drive to a shelter by the Asheville Airport, which was one mile away. Trying to get to higher ground, we found a spot to park the buses.
·      With the power out and hotels booked up, we parked and the team ate the food provided by Ingles.

8 p.m. – We got the team loaded back up on the buses and let everyone know that we were going to be sleeping on the bus for the night. Our state trooper and everyone in our travel party still has no contact with anyone.
 
9 p.m. – Coach Dell, Coach McClain and Coach Scelfo walk to a nearby gas station to use the restroom. From there, they hitch hike to a hotel to get phone service where they were able to get in touch with family members.
 
Saturday, Sept. 28
Midnight – Everyone is resting up and trying to get some sleep
 
1:30 a.m. – The driver who helped Coach Dell, Coach McClain, Coach Scelfo returns and knocks on the bus to wake us up. His exact words to us "26 South is open. You boys got a game to win!"
·      We got back on I-26 and got through water and trees to finally make it through Spartanburg, S.C. If it wasn't for Coach Dell, Coach McClain and Coach Scelfo, we would never have been given the update, and still may be sitting in North Carolina.
 
4:30 a.m. – We ordered Waffle House and had food waiting for the team as we arrived at our hotel in Charleston
 
8:30 a.m. – After communication with The Citadel and the SoCon, we decide on a 5 p.m. kickoff
 
For more information on Buccaneer football, visit ETSUBucs.com and click on the football tab.