Photo by: Jonathan Terrell

Nicholls football players waiting in the airport

The Nicholls State University football team has been stuck in Illinois since its playoff game loss to Southern Illinois University on Saturday, Nov. 25.

The team was unable to board a flight back to Thibodaux after the plane went off the runway.

A pilot must undergo a drug test after going off the runway. The test results take a minimum of 12 hours to return.

A second flight scheduled for 1:30 a.m. was canceled an hour before takeoff time because of unsafe conditions.

“At 12:30 a.m. the flight was canceled because Eastern [Airlines] felt it was unsafe to land at that time,” Jonathan Terrell said.

Nicholls Athletic Director Jonathan “JT” Terrell said the miscommunication was ‘unacceptable’ on the part of the NCAA.

Nicholls President Jay Clune called the situation unacceptable and said the NCAA is responsible for all post-season travel.

“There have been several human factors contributing to this unacceptable situation, none of which are attributable to Colonel Athletics,” Clune said. “The NCAA assumes responsibility for any and all post-season travel.”

The team is currently scheduled to fly back at 4:30 p.m.