Media Kit: Archived Press Releases

Former Coach Who Cheated Death During Katrina Returns for Glamour Exhibition

Former Shell Shockers’ assistant coach Steve McAnespie jets into New Orleans today for the first time since being airlifted from the roof of a flooded New Orleans house.

Non-swimmer McAnespie, 34, spent two harrowing days trapped on top of the one-story Lakeview home after deciding to ride out Katrina. He was finally rescued by the Coast Guard, but his feet were so badly blistered and sunburned he could not wear shoes for days.

He is returning to the city to star for the Shell Shockers as a special guest in their game against Honduran champions Olimpia at Pan American Stadium in City Park at 5pm on Saturday. Tickets are $20.

McAnespie came to New Orleans in 2003 and was with the Shell Shockers for their first three years after a successful professional career in Europe, playing at the highest level in Scotland, Sweden and England. With Scottish side Raith Rovers he won a League Cup title and played in the prestigious UEFA Cup, before moving to England and signing for Premier League teams Bolton Wanderers and Fulham.

Last August he was alone at a friend’s home when the levees broke and the floodwater poured through the doors and windows. In minutes the house was flooded and he was forced onto the roof, scrambling to grip onto the gutters as the force of the water threatened to tear him away.

Exhausted and battered after two days without food or water he was finally plucked to safety by an air-and-sea rescue crew and taken to Nicholls State University in Thibodaux. From there he traveled to Baton Rouge, Lafayette, Beaumont and Houston before finally flying to meet friends in Atlanta.

McAnespie is now Head Coach of the Indiana Invaders, a Premier Development League club who play in the Great Lakes Division of the Central Conference. He had an outstanding debut season, only narrowly missing out on the play-offs on the last day of the season: one more win during the campaign and they would have beaten the Michigan Bucks to a spot in the championship decider.

Shell Shockers Head Coach Kenny Farrell said: “I am delighted to welcome back Macca for one of the biggest games in our history, and we will need his talent and experience against such a top-quality outfit.

“Olimpia are one of the biggest names in soccer on the continent and I am hopeful we may be able to persuade a few other big names to guest for us on what is sure to be a great day.”

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