WEATHER FORCES POSTPONEMENT OF LIVE UNITED BOWL—

The Live United Bowl, set for Saturday at Razorback Stadium, was postponed Thursday because of the winter storm forecasted to hit Texarkana early Friday morning.

The NCAA Division II bowl game, benefiting the United Way of Greater Texarkana, between Harding University and Texas A&M UniversityCommerce and all community events with the game were put on hold, according to a press release.

The game was rescheduled for Friday, Dec. 13 at 6 p.m.

“Our concern is with the safety of the teams and the fans traveling, and the decision to postpone this event was extremely difficult, but one that we think is absolutely the right thing to do,” says Allen Brown, Chairman of the Texarkana Live United Bowl. “There has been much work and preparation for this historical event but above all, we want to offer a safe atmosphere for all involved.”

The football teams from Harding, located in Searcy, Ark., and A&M-Commerce were scheduled to arrive

by noon today.

“This has taken tremendous effort on all parties involved to ensure that these student athletes have the opportunity to play in this postseason bowl game,” Brown said. “The players were excited about the chance to play, and we didn't want to let them down. There are details to iron out, but the game will be played. We encourage the Texarkana Community to stay involved and support the Live United Bowl.”

Earlier this week, Bison coach Ronnie Huckeba and Lions coach Colby Carthel knew the inclement weather was force casted and were fully prepared to play the game. Travel conditions for the teams and their fans were the chief issues in deciding to postpone the game.

Huckeba and Carthel had little concern that the weather would affect the outcome of the first bowl game in Texarkana history.

“Both teams will be playing in the same weather so I don't think it will have a big effect on the bowl game,” Carthel said during a phone interview Tuesday. “It may hurt the fair-weather fans, but the players will be running around and playing hard so they will be fine either way.

“The coaches are the ones who the weather affects the most because we just have to stand around in it,” Carthel joked. “We've played in three or four games this year when it's been cold or rainy, and it doesn't really slow us down. Because we throw the ball around, wind tends to affect us more than the cold and rain.”

A&M-Commerce runs a spread offense, while the Bison are among the nation's leaders in rushing yards per game out of its triple-option offense.

“I don't know if the weather will play a part in the game or not,” Huckeba said Tuesday from Searcy. “When a coaching staff decides on an offensive system, you figure out how to execute it in the hot, cold, wet, and snow— whatever conditions you might have to play a game in.

“The weather has been nice here this week, but judging by the forecast we would need to find a Yarnell's (ice cream) warehouse and hold practice inside to get ready for Saturday.”

More information, when available, can be accessed at texarkanabowl.com.