Dawgs go back to work
Published 9:00 pm Wednesday, September 12, 2001
By John Sleeper
Herald Writer
SEATTLE — Khalif Barnes didn’t want to practice Wednesday.
Just one day after terrorists struck the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, Barnes, offensive tackle for the Washington Huskies, didn’t exactly have football in his mind.
"After something like this hits, football isn’t even No. 2," he said. "It becomes something way down on the list."
The Huskies took Tuesday off, away from practice, to mourn in their own way those who lost their lives in the tragedy. Barnes spent much of Tuesday as many others did — glued to the television, not quite believing what he saw.
| To play or not to play
Many teams and leagues have reacted to Tuesday’s terrorist attacks by postponing events. Here’s a local update: Seattle Mariners: Major League Baseball postponed all games scheduled for Tuesday through today, including tonight’s game at Safeco Field between the Mariners and Texas Rangers. The status of the rest of this weekend’s games is uncertain. The Mariners advise fans holding tickets to postponed games to keep them pending an announcement of makeup dates. The start of the baseball playoffs, originally scheduled to begin Oct. 2, could be delayed if postponed games are made up. UW football: The No. 13 Huskies’ game at No. 1 Miami on Saturday has been postponed. The game could be made up Nov. 24. WSU football: The Cougars’ home game against Colorado on Saturday will be played if the Buffaloes can arrive in Pullman by Friday. Seattle Seahawks: The NFL is expected to decide the status of this weekend’s games today. The Seahawks are scheduled to play Kansas City on Sunday at Husky Stadium in their home opener. Area high schools: Events are going on as scheduled, including Friday night’s football games.
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"I still have a hard time believing it," he said. "I watched it a little in the locker room, then I went home and watched some more. I spent most of the day watching, then I had to get away from it because it’s just so emotional."
The idea behind coming back to practice Wednesday was twofold. First, UW coach Rick Neuheisel said, the skills diminish if players don’t keep with it on an everyday basis. Two, a sense of normalcy, or something reasonably close to it, was necessary.
"They were sluggish at first, but they improved as the practice went on," Neuheisel said. "There was no lack of focus or lack of effort. The kids were eager to please. It’s probably good for everybody across the country to get back to their routines as quickly as they can. And while doing so, stop and smell the roses, if you will."
Safeties coach Bobby Hauck said it was important to get the team on the field because of the youth of the squad.
"We’ve got so many young guys and we’ve got so much to correct, it was good to get back out here and get to work," he said.
Even so, the day off and the postponement of the Huskies’ game with No. 1 Miami Saturday were necessary, if only to keep perspective. This is a team that well remembers when one of its own, Curtis Williams, went down with a spinal cord injury. Williams remains in a wheelchair, but remains a symbol of inspiration to his teammates.
Tuesday’s tragedy again brought the point home, only on a massive scale.
"I’d love to play because that’s what we do," tailback Willie Hurst said. "We also understand that collegiate athletics should take a backseat to a tragedy of this magnitude. A lot of lives changed forever. And we’re just talking about a game."
The coaching staff felt it as well. But the message Wednesday was that life goes on.
"The kids are fairly resilient, no matter what happens," Hauck said. "Obviously, what’s gone on on the East Coast feels surreal. But we know that the situation is going to be an ongoing problem. We have to get on with our business, too."
Rescheduling Miami: Neuheisel said he’s in no hurry to nail down a rescheduled date to play Miami. UW athletic director Barbara Hedges said the game probably would be played Nov. 24, but that is not yet official.
"Because it’s not going to happen until the conclusion of our season, I don’t have a sense of urgency there," Neuheisel said. "But certainly, for all those who want to travel to the game and all those who want to be a part of the game, including the networks, certainly a decision would have to be made relatively soon."
Hedges said she hoped the decision would come inside of two weeks.
Ellis out: Outside linebacker Kai Ellis sat out Wednesday’s practice with a sore toe. Neuheisel said Ellis should be ready to practice today.
