FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 23, 2004


TV special offers in-depth look at effects of recent hurricanes on Florida high school athletics

Sunshine Network's "FHSAA Sports Report" presents a special holiday edition talks with players, families and officials from programs severely affected by the storms along with Florida governor Jeb Bush

"After the Storms" premieres Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, Nov. 23 at 5 p.m. ET

GAINESVILLE – With the effects of Hurricanes Charley, Francis, Ivan and Jeanne still being felt in Florida, Sunshine Network and the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) offer viewers a special edition of the "FHSAA Sports Report" that travels around the state to high schools in areas most affected by the storms to see the unique challenges they're facing and how they are recovering.

Hosted by Bernie Guenther and Ali Peek, the half-hour "After the Storms" program premieres statewide on Sunshine Network Thanksgiving Day, November 25, at 5:00pm. with several replays scheduled through December (see below).

Following the storms, high school athletic programs, including the high revenue generating football programs, were forced to cancel, reschedule and make alternate site plans for multiple events. High school volleyball teams played in neighboring middle school facilities, sites for the state swim meets changed and the financial impact will resonate with schools throughout the spring sports season. On the positive side, fans came out to support their teams and the power of sports provided a common rallying place as communities worked to find normalcy.

Included is a visit to Charlotte High School who, with a heavily damaged school and football stadium after Charley, was forced into double-sessions at rival Port Charlotte High. In late October, the annual football rivalry between the two schools was held at the recently re-opened Charlotte High Stadium. Florida Governor Jeb Bush was on hand, and goes one-on-one with Bernie Guenther at an event that displayed the powers of sports to heal and united as fans donned t-shirts reading "Divided by a River, United by a Storm."

Interviews with coaches, players, athletic directors, and fans are included as "After the Storms" examines why it was so important to get back to playing sports - giving those communities a reason to join together in the spirit of high school athletics.

Some of the other stories featured include:

• Co-host Ali Peek takes a closer look at the Hardee County football program which had to play all their "home" games on the road this season due to damage at their home stadium.

• Steve Nissim reports from Pensacola on the Navarre football team deciding to play a game just one week after Ivan devastated the panhandle.

• Nissim also features Pine Forest Head Coach Jerry Pollard who lost his house in Hurricane Ivan.

• Mike Ridaught takes a look at St. Lucie, Martin & Indian River Counties and how those communities battled through an unprecedented three storms.

"After the Storms" repeats Thanksgiving Day at 10pm (South Florida only), Sunday, November 28, at 2pm and 10pm and Sunday, November 29, at 10am. For additional December airdates, visit sunshinenetwork.com.

Contact:
Jack Watford
Director of Communications, FHSAA
(352) 372-9551 ext. 170
jwatford@fhsaa.org