Mills, Buccaneers sponsor blood drive in support of war effort

CHARLESTON, SC - While most college coaches are milking every second from available spring practices, Charleston Southern head football coach Jay Mills called off Wednesday's practice for a more noble cause - a blood drive. Secondary coach Dexter Davis coordinated the event, and was one of four coaches and over thirty players to donate blood. Mills' idea for the drive was spurred by the war effort in Iraq.

"People look up to football players, athletes--but our guys overseas are the true heroes," said Davis of our armed forces. "We want to contribute in some way, and this is how [the idea came about] ... Just think: it's possible that we're giving blood for our soldiers to use."

Once Mills told the team of the drive, the players stepped up. "The American Red Cross told us that they were equipped to handle thirty [in the time frame scheduled]," Davis stated, "but 31 players and five other students came out and gave blood. That's a good problem to have--too many blood donors."

Not included in the aforementioned group were Hank Small, athletic director, and four football coaches, including Mills and Davis. Head assistant Steve Barrows and quarterback coach Brandon Streeter faced the dreaded needle for a good cause.

Coaches and fans may one day speculate about what wasn't practiced on the second of April; others may just owe their lives to what was done.