BUFFALO STATE ATHLETICS
BUFFALO — A year ago, the Buffalo State Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) partnered with athletes from across the State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) in conjunction with the One Love Foundation to create increased awareness for domestic and relationship violence issues through the “10 Million Yards for Yeardley” event. This year, Buffalo State and the SUNYAC are expanding their efforts to help put an end to relationship abuse.
Every student-athlete at Buffalo State is participating in the Escalation Workshop created by the One Love Foundation during the spring semester. Student-athletes view a 40-minute film that follows a college-aged couple through the very sweet beginnings of their relationship and shows how unhealthy behaviors can escalate into abuse. After watching the film, workshop participants dive into a discussion about the film—led by trained facilitators who are members of the Bengals’ coaching staff —discussing the early warning signs of relationship abuse and what they can do if they witness or experience these warning signs.
All Buffalo State student-athletes will have participated in the training prior to this year’s SUNY-wide “Around the World for Yeardley” event which the Bengals will be completing on April 18. After more than doubling the conference goal last year with nearly 26 million total yards, including a one-day total that exceeded two million yards run, walked or swam by Buffalo State, this year’s goal is to make it “Around the World” amassing 50 million total yards among 21 SUNY institutions. Buffalo State’s goal is to surpass 2.4 million yards. All members of the campus community are invited to join their fellow Bengals in the Sports Arena on April 18 between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. to walk or run and contribute to the Buffalo State total. Campus community members will also have the opportunity to “donate” their steps by checking in at various tables that will be set up around campus.
“SUNY “Yards for Yeardley” campus events are driven by our students, which is a testament to their commitment to end relationship abuse and protect their fellow students and people in their local communities,” said SUNY Chancellor Kristina M. Johnson. “On behalf of the SUNY family, I am pleased to support this program. My thanks to Buffalo State for the yards covered by students, faculty, staff, and the community.”
The One Love Foundation was created in remembrance of former University of Virginia women’s lacrosse player Yeardley Love. On May 3rd, 2010, Love was brutally beaten to death by her deranged former boyfriend and member of the men’s lacrosse team. Yeardley’s mother, Sharon Love developed the One Love Foundation in response to her tragic loss to raise awareness about the consequences of relationship violence. For more information, visit www.joinonelove.org.
