Special Feature: Diamond Gents Lend a Helping Hand in Community
On August 27, 2020, Hurricane Laura made landfall just south of Lake Charles, La. The category 4 storm, with sustained winds of 150 mph, left little untouched in Southwest Louisiana. Without the generosity and support of those outside of Southwest Louisiana, crisis response and recovery would not possible. Centenary’s own Diamond Gents Baseball Team hit the road south to aid in the recovery efforts.
On August 27, 2020, Hurricane Laura made landfall just south of Lake Charles, La. The category 4 storm, with sustained winds of 150 mph, left little untouched in Southwest Louisiana. Laura devastated the electrical infrastructure of the region downing major transmission lines and destroying substations. Over 615,000 businesses and residents were left without power. Water and wastewater treatment facilities were also impacted leaving the region without water. Hospitals were closed, businesses erased from the landscape and 97% of schools were left severely damaged and/or uninhabitable. Damage to the region is estimated at $12 billion dollars, three times that of Hurricane Rita in 2005. Without seeing the devastation in person, it is hard to imagine the impact this storm has had on Southwest Louisiana. The people of Louisiana are strong and resilient, but this storm has taken its toll. It will take years for the area to fully recover.
Without the generosity and support of those outside of Southwest Louisiana, crisis response and recovery would not possible. Centenary's own Diamond Gents Baseball Team is a prime example of generosity and compassion in action. Diamond Gents baseball player, Connor Cudd, is from Lake Charles. Immediately following the storm, several of Cudd's teammates rallied to his side to help his family and community begin the long process of recovery. Chris Haggard (Lake Charles), Tyler Erickson (Houston, Texas), John Beaudion (Houston), and Luke Royle (Dodge City, Kan.) made the three-hour drive to Lake Charles to lend a hand to the Cudd family. These Gents worked tirelessly clearing debris and helping clean up the damage to the Cudd family's home and property. These young men epitomize what it means to be a Centenary Gent and the Cudd family is forever grateful for their compassion and service.
*Special thanks to Tracy Cudd, mother of Gents senior Connor Cudd, for providing this information to Centenary athletics. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Cudd family and the entire Lake Charles community as they continue the long recovery.
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