College campuses across NC hosting displaced UNC Asheville student-athletes

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — UNC Asheville has continued to sit in a state of semi-limbo as campus leaders asses when classes will be able to resume.

As of Wednesday evening, there is a belief that classes can resume as early as Monday, October 28th, however, the timeline could change.

While thousands of students sit and wait, others have received the chance to find some sense of normality on other college campuses, which include some UNC campuses.

On Monday, UNC Asheville athletics announced that student-athletes would be housed at other campuses to continue their sports training.

In a message on X (formerly known as Twitter), Athletic Director Cone announced , “First and foremost, we would like to thank everyone who has reached out to check on our student-athletes, coaches, and staff. As the City of Asheville begins to recover from this devastating natural disaster, we have relocated all of our student-athletes to locations outside of our immediate area. Together we will push through this and remain strong. #BulldogStrong.”

Gardner-Webb University has played host to the Women’s swim team, the Charlotte Hornets have hosted the Men and Women’s basketball teams, while UNC Charlotte has allowed 88 players from the men’s and women’s soccer teams, along with the women’s volleyball team. Four coaches have also been accepted onto campus.

While they will not participate in classes, they have access to the dining halls, health services, and other areas where UNC Charlotte students are allowed.

“At first it was very hard for us to digest,” explained UNC Asheville volleyball player Payton Rolfsen.

She and her teammates arrived at UNC Charlotte after they spent days stuck on campus in Asheville.

While they detailed their campuses as being fine, besides not having power, the areas that surround it, were not as lucky.

“Trees were down, power was out, the surrounding areas of UNC A are devastated,” Rolfsen explained.

The team told Queen City News, they are blessed to be in an area where they can continue their preparation for the remainder of the season.

However, as they approach their games this weekend, they do so with a stronger sense of determination than before.

“We’re not just fighting for ourselves, we’re fighting for our community, our city, make them proud and give them something to look forward to.”

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