Here is a statement that we received from media rep Matt Smith in the Nebraska athletic department, regarding the safety of the Husker softball team in Oklahoma City, OK.
Everyone on the official travel party is safe and accounted for. We will not be available for interviews but below is the timeline of events and a statement from Coach Revelle.
Shortly after 6:30 p.m. sirens went off in downtown Oklahoma City and then in the team hotel, the Sheraton. The coaching staff talked with hotel personnel on Wednesday to learn the severe weather policy and evacuation plan, which was then communicated to the team. Shortly before the severe weather hit the area, the evacuation plan was again communicated to the team during a team meeting in anticipation of severe weather.
Once the call for taking shelter came, the team proceeded to the lowest level of the hotel before being moved to the underground level of the parking garage by emergency personnel. The team took shelter for around 45 minutes before being allowed to return to the hotel. As a precaution, the team returned to the shelter approximately 15 minutes later as another threat of severe weather approached. The team returned to its rooms at approximately 8:35 p.m.
Statement from Head Coach Rhonda Revelle:
“Everyone in our travel party is safe and calmly waited out the severe weather under safe shelter, following the protocol established by our hotel. As a staff we were diligent in communicating the emergency plan to our student-athletes, and they appropriately recognized the severity of the situation and calmly and collectively followed the protocol and proceeded to the designated shelter area. We appreciate all of the people who were concerned for our safety and we’re happy to let everyone know we are all safe.”