Suddenly the man of the house

Not many college football players reference 1900 in conversations.

When that college player is from Galveston, Texas, flattened by an unnamed hurricane in 1900 and severely ravaged over the weekend 108 years later by Hurricane Ike, there's a story to be told.

Junior fullback Dante' Austin has overcome three shoulder surgeries in three seasons, and is a preseason second-team All-Southland Conference selection. As of Sunday, he was also the man of the Austin household, which no longer has a house of its own.

The family's residences, for Austin's immediate family and his grandparents, were destroyed Saturday by Hurricane Ike's assault.

The Austin clan evacuated to Natchitoches, hoping for the best, but having weathered several storms in their beloved hometown, never imagining that they would be homeless come Monday.

Dante' took in all he could at his apartment, and found lodging at a hotel for other family members. Tuesday, he missed practice, with coach Scott Stoker's blessing, so he could lead a shopping trip for clothing and other essentials. Since Galveston banks are shut down, guess who footed the bill?

Jeff Matthews, the gifted writer for the Alexandria Town Talk newspaper, spent time today visiting with Dante' and I am sure we'll see a story on the situation soon.

Also, Dustin Eubanks, the NCAA compliance officer for NSU, will be meeting with Dante' to see if the NCAA's special assistance fund can help, and if there are other ways for him to get financial help without jeopardizing his eligibility.

Austin is the first member of his family to attend college. I met his grandfather last year and know how very proud they are of him.

With good reason.