CHARLESTON, W.Va. — No helmets. No pads. No game.

Two days before St. Paul's College was supposed to open the 2009 football season, the Tigers canceled Saturday's contest with West Virginia Wesleyan. The reason, West Virginia Wesleyan athletic director Ken Tyler said Friday, was a lack of equipment.

In an instant, the thrill and anticipation of finally playing fell flat.

"I'm flabbergasted and disappointed for our players," Tyler said. "They've been working really hard. They've been peaking and looking forward to kick off the season. It's a real punch in the gut. Beyond that, I feel it was very unprofessional. We would never, ever even consider doing that."

Tyler said St. Paul's AD Leroy Bacote called him with the news Thursday, less than 24 hours before the Wesleyan team was scheduled to travel 341 miles to play the game in South Hill, Va.

Division II St. Paul's had ordered helmets and pads — but the shipment hadn't arrived yet.

"He couldn't guarantee that they would be there in time," said Tyler, adding that the game would not be rescheduled.

Tyler said he asked Bacote how the team practiced without helmets and pads and was told the players did calisthenics in shorts and T-shirts.

Bacote declined to comment Friday when reached at his office.

St. Paul head coach Kevin Bailey was out of his office and unavailable for comment. A recording said callers were unable to leave voice messages.

Tigers assistant coach Kevin Grisby referred questions to Bailey about the equipment issue, but Grisby did say that the team was trying to keep a businesslike approach. St. Paul's is set to play Sept. 5 at UNC-Pembroke.

St. Paul's President Robert L. Satcher Sr. didn't immediately return a message left with a secretary.

St. Paul's is a member of the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association. CIAA commissioner Leon Kerry didn't immediately return a telephone message.