Tulane University’s head coach, Jon Sumrall, expressed disappointment following his team’s victory over Northwestern, as the Green Wave sought to honor the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina during the game. Despite Tulane’s 23-3 win, Sumrall’s post-game remarks focused on Northwestern’s refusal to allow the tribute.

In a post-game press conference, Sumrall conveyed his frustration, stating, “We wanted to pay tribute to the resilience of New Orleans and its people in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, a pivotal moment in our history. It’s unfortunate that Northwestern did not support our initiative.”

The attempted tribute held significance for Tulane, given the profound impact Hurricane Katrina had on the university and the city of New Orleans. The denial by Northwestern to participate in the commemoration left the Green Wave community disheartened.

While Northwestern has not issued a formal response to Sumrall’s comments, the incident underscores the sensitivity and complexity of commemorating historical events, especially those with deep emotional resonance for affected communities.

Moving forward, Tulane’s decision to highlight the anniversary of Hurricane Katrina through a uniform tribute signifies the university’s ongoing commitment to honoring its past and the resilience of the New Orleans community in the face of adversity.