Florida A&M will become the first HBCU to implement the cutting-edge Boudreaux Recovery Center - a modified refrigerated shipping container - to protect its football players from the intense summer heat.
Alabama, LSU, South Carolina, Clemson, and Florida State are among the Power 5 schools that use the cooling system for its athletes.
Several NFL teams, including the New Orleans Saints and Las Vegas Raiders, and high school teams nationally also use the system to protect its players during training.
Entrepreneur Paul Boudreaux, a retired equipment manager from LSU, confirmed that no other HBCU is currently implementing the system.
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According to the Center for Disease Control, heat illness during practice or competition is the leading cause of death and disability among athletes in the United States.
Heatstroke is caused by your body overheating as a result of prolonged exposure to physical exertion in high temperature.
The body becomes unable to control the temperature. The sweating mechanism fails, the body is unable to cool down and your temperature can rise to 104 degrees or higher.
Heat-related issues have been a perennial problem for the Rattler football team practicing under the Florida sun, especially during the months of July and August.
That’s about to change.
Boudreaux may have solved the heat problems for football players at all levels of the game.
The Boudreaux Box, a modified refrigerated shipping container designed to keep football players from becoming overheated, has received growing interest at the highest levels of competitive football.
The 9’x40’ container can house several players at a time and can maintain temperatures at 18 degrees. Players enter the box for times that range from 10-15 minutes.
Research from LSU shows that not only does it bring the body temperatures back to safe levels, but they have noticed the isolation returns a much more focused athlete.
A top-of-the-line customized model, like the ones found at LSU and Alabama, sells for $180,000.
The implementation of the system is a partnership between the FAMU Department of Athletics and the FAMU 220 Quarterback Club, a support organization of FAMU retirees, alums and friends.
President Eddie Jackson brought the initiative to the group and the funds for the Boudreaux Box was raised in under three months. The Rattler Boosters were also part of the support for the 220 Club’s initiative.
“This has been the easiest campaign I have ever been a part of," Jackson said.
"When we learned that Power 5’ teams used the Boudreaux Box to protect its athletes, we decided we wanted that for our players. When I told our group that FSU players across town benefitted from utilizing the box every year, they immediately reacted that they wanted the Rattlers to have the same opportunity for safety."
FAMU VP/Director of Athletics Kortne Gosha is ecstatic that the 220 Quarterback Club initiated and raised the funds - in joint effort with Rattler Booster Club - for this all too important effort.
“When it comes to the safety of our student-athletes, we make it a priority from all angles. One of the most vulnerable positions we are put in is during the summer when football players are preparing for the Fall in 90-100-plus degree heat," Gosha said.
"We applaud the efforts of the 220 Quarterback Club for their support in the initiative to use the latest in technology and implementation of the Boudreaux Box to support student-athlete welfare."