April 9, 2008

LOGAN, Utah - Dodging rain drops and snow flakes, members of the Utah State football team took part in the Walk A Mile In Her Shoes event Wednesday on the USU campus, and won a commemorative trophy for having the most members of a group participate.

The USU Sexual Assault Anti-Violence Intervention (SAAVI) group sponsored the event in recognition of April, which is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. It is an annual designation designed to shed light on a problem that affects college women and men in epidemic proportions. The Walk a Mile in her Shoes Day is a way to get men involved in the cause of ending violence against women.

"We're out here to support SAAVI, a great campus group putting on this event," sophomore long snapper Pat Scales said. "I always wondered what it was like to wear these shoes, and it is bad. It's a lot harder than it looks and it's killing my feet."

Walkers covered a one-mile course in high heels as they took a stand against sexual violence and raised money to prevent violence at Utah State. "Walk-a-Mile" funds help support the SAAVI Office and USU's One-in-Four Chapter (an all-male, peer-education group, designed to educate men about rape and sexual assault).

USU football players participated in the Walk A Mile In Her Shoes Event Wednesday.

"This seemed like a very exciting event in addition to being a great way to help out the community and this is for a tremendous cause," sophomore placekicker Peter Caldwell said. "Plus, I got to wear heels and I think they really accentuate my calves. This is a great cause that may not get a whole lot of recognition otherwise. I'm just glad to help out a great cause."

The football players were among the different fraternities, as well as some sororities, in addition to many other different campus groups participating. For their large turnout as the "Organization/Group with the Most Male Walkers," the football team was awarded a pink high heel trophy.

"Coach Guy has always been very adamant on our players giving back to the community," said USU assistant coach Darrell Dickey, who organizes the USU football players' community service. "It's a cause and a function we've been involved in over the years. The people that are in charge of the function are very supportive of football and our team, and enjoy the involvement with our players, and they enjoy being a part of it. Luckily we won this year for having the most participation."