The University of Colorado athletic department has distributed 440 free tickets to Saturday’s noon home football opener against Texas State in response to public donations for Hurricane Harvey relief efforts in Houston, a university spokesman said.
The Buffaloes accepted donations — bottled water, non-perishable food items, hygiene products, cleaning supplies and gently used clothing — on campus from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. Wednesday. Items were loaded into the CU football team’s trailer and will be delivered to the Houston chapter of the Red Cross. Individuals who participated were given two free tickets to Saturday’s game.
CU did not provide specifics on total items donated, but with 440 tickets distributed, the total individual gifts topped at least 220. The Bolder Boulder also donated several boxes of race shirts.
First-year junior college transfer defensive lineman Javier Edwards is the lone Houston native on the Buffs’ football roster. He attended Aldine Davis High School about 30 miles north of downtown.
“I wish I was back home helping my family,” Edwards said. “But they’re strong. They’ll be alright.”