News release Public Information Office  SLU 10880   Hammond, LA 70402   phone: 985-549-2341   fax: 985-549-2061 publicinfo@selu.edu Spring 2004 news releases Public Information home News archive Contact: Christina Chapple Date: 3/17/04   FLOOD THE FIELD TO HONOR FIRE FIGHTERS, POLICE ON MARCH 23       HAMMOND -- Southeastern Louisiana University will “Flood the Field” -- Alumni Field, the university’s baseball diamond -- on March 23 when the Lions take on the University of New Orleans in a 6:30 p.m. ball game.       “Flood the Field” is the brainchild of Southeastern’s “CLAWS/Pride” committee, a group of university staffers charged with coming up with creative ways to package university events with fun activities to increase student interest and attendance and to build spirit and pride.       Flood the Field 2004 will again honor firefighters and police officers in general, but will also be dedicated to the memory of one heroic firefighter in particular, said CLAWS/Pride member Veda Abene, assistant to the dean of continuing education at Southeastern. Flood the Field 2004 will honor Amite firefighter Joe Wayne Cutrer, who died in August 2002. His brother, Amite fire chief Bruce Cutrer, will throw the first pitch and members of the Cutrer family will be in attendance, Abene said.       Joe Wayne Cutrer began volunteering as a firefighter in Amite at the age of 13. He was hired full-time in 1976, worked for the Baton Rouge Fire Department from 1981-1985 and returned home to Tangipahoa Parish Fire District #1 in Amite in 1986.       Accolades from his 33-year career in firefighting included certificates of merit from the American Red Cross and President Jimmy Carter, Amite’s Most Outstanding Citizen Award and the Amite Kiwanis Club Career Firefighter of the Year honor. In addition to being a firefighter and a certified emergency medical technician, he also owned and operated his own electrical business.       Abene said all area fire and police departments have been invited to attend the game and to be honored on the field before the first pitch. So far, she said, representatives from Amite, Tickfaw, Hammond and Roseland are planning to participate. The Ponchatoula High School ROTC will present the colors and the national anthem will be performed by Joe Abene.       “Roomie (Southeastern’s Lion mascot) will arrive at the field in a fire truck along with members of Southeastern’s Southland Conference basketball and soccer championship teams," Abene said.        Abene said attendees can also enjoy free hotdogs and beverages and will have the opportunity to catch one of 150 Flood the Field t-shirts that will be tossed into the stands.       For more information about Flood the Field, contact Abene at 985-549-2301.