The University Of Houston Basketball Coach Is Leading A Harvey Relief Effort With A Call For Clothing


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As the Houston area continues to endure historic flooding in the wake of Hurricane Harvey, many in the basketball world are wondering what they can do to help those in need. University of Houston men’s basketball coach Kelvin Sampson is leading one effort and is asking other basketball programs to help aid those in need.

Hurricane Harvey made landfall in Texas on Friday, dumping more than 40 inches of rain in parts of Houston. Federal authorities say more than 30,000 people may have to be relocated from their homes, and many trapped by flood waters have been rescued by boats this week. The storm continues to dump rain on Louisiana and more rain is expected in the Houston area later this week, making the need for rescue and relief even more urgent.

On Monday night, Sampson posted to Twitter a call for aid, asking basketball teams to donate some of their own shoes and shirts by sending them to him at the university so he can distribute them to agencies in the Houston area to help relief efforts.

“I came up with something that coaches at all levels can help with, both men’s and women’s HS, JC, every level of D1, D2, D3 and NAIA, if you can please send 20 shirts and 10 pair of shoes. … For those that can’t send this request, please send whatever you can,” Sampson wrote. “All our hearts go out to those in need during these devastating times. We will get everything to the right agencies to be distributed. Thank you and God bless you all.”

Sampson has long held ties to the Houston community, and served as the Rockets assistant coach before getting hired by the University in 2014. Given the sheer volume of team-branded merchandise teams get through sponsorships, it seems like a reasonable request during a tough time for everyone in Houston and could provide much needed resources to those that will lose so much of their personal property due to flooding.

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