(Press Release)
(TAMPA, FL) – Members of the University of South Florida baseball turned in their spikes and put on a pair of stilettos as the Bulls teamed up with a number of USF student organizations to take part in USF’s Second Annual “Walk a Mile in Her Shoes” Thursday afternoon in support of USF’s cause to end rape, sexual assault/battery and gender violence.
“Unfortunately, gender violence is a problem in our society,” said USF head coach Lelo Prado. “It is important for them to be aware of it and fight against it. Respect towards each other is something that we believe in, and expect our players to show that kind of class at all time.”
Inspired by the idea that you can’t truly understand the experiences of others until you’ve walked a mile in their shoes, men from the University of South Florida proclaimed their solidarity to end rape, sexual assault/battery, and gender violence by marching in high heels and participating in USF’s Second Annual “Walk a Mile in Her Shoes” event.
“It’s great to have our student athletes participate in “Walk A Mile In Your Shoes,” said Assistant Athletic Director for Academics & Student-Athlete Development Justin Miller. “This in particular gives our student athletes an opportunity to take a stand against something that is a problem in our society. This helps show our male student athletes as leaders on this campus and in this community. I am really proud of our willingness to participate.”
Walk a Mile in Her Shoes is an educational, empowering, and unique event that was awarded the Outstanding Student Organization Program of the Year in 2008. This event is being hosted by N.I.T.E. (Necessary Improvements to Transform our Environment) an organization that advocates for campus safety and student wellness. REAL (Relationship Equality and Anti-violence League), a special project of The USF Advocacy Program, is co-sponsoring this event. Along with USF Baseball other supporters include Army ROTC, The Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life, the Pan-Hellenic Council, the USF Baseball Team, USF Athletics and the University Police. The march will be lead by Mr. Matt Diaz, Student Senate President Pro Tempore and Mr. USF.