Tragedy often has a way of bringing the sporting world back into perspective.
We all remember when the world stopped in the days following Sept. 11, and neither planes nor baseballs could be seen hurdling through the autumn sky.
An estimated 3,000 people died on that day, and even the most ardent Yankee fan understood why the Bombers would be grounded for a few days.
On Thursday, 90,000 acres of land throughout Louisiana and Mississippi were declared a federal disaster area as a result of Hurricane Katrina -- enough land to give a parcel to every fan that purchased tickets to LSU's new opening football game against ASU.
So far, no plans have been made to suspend action in any of the major sporting leagues, even as more than 25,000 American refugees are being bused from the Superdome to the Astrodome.
Thursday, the bands played on in 29 college football games across the country.
For the rest of the semester, I will be using this column to pick the winners of such games.
Today, I am compelled to pause at the plight of so many American refugees.
LSU is putting many of them up in its field house and using team facilities to launder soiled clothes instead of jerseys.
Initially, I had trouble accepting the fact that even amateur sports could be so bold as to continue in lieu of the tragedy.
Loyola University freshman Michael McGillicuddy put a different spin on things.
"It's pretty natural for people who aren't directly affected to act like nothing is wrong," said McGillicuddy, who took the advice of a friend and fled New Orleans before Katrina stuck.
"I'm actually going to listen to the Temple-ASU game," he added. "It's just good to get back to something normal."
Some student-athletes are picking up the pieces of a suddenly broken season, as well.
Tulane's football team is practicing in exile at Southern Methodist University with classes on hold indefinitely.
McGillicuddy said he thinks athletics could help contribute to rebuilding the Gulf Coast.
"They could keep people posted at halftime and remind people to help out," McGillicuddy said.
The one pick I do have this week is to donate cash.
The American Red Cross is a sure bet to help victims of Katrina, and you can donate online at www.redcross.org.
Mark Saxon is The State Press sports editor. Mark It Down appears on Fridays. He can be reached at mark.saxon@asu.edu.
