On Saturday, November 19, the SMU Athletics department partnered with SMU's Not On My Campus organization to host the first annual Sexual Assault Awareness Teal Game. Teal is the color of Sexual Assault Awareness, and the Athletics department hopes this will be a continuing tradition at SMU from this point on.
The idea started when sexual assault survivor Brenda Tracy came and spoke to the SMU football team this past summer. The players and coaches were so moved by her story they wanted to find a way to honor her, as well as all victims of sexual assault and domestic violence. Brenda Tracy was an "honorary captain" for this football game, and she was honored at both the beginning of the game and halftime.
Throughout the game, the announcers talked about Not On My Campus and provided resources for those who have been affected by both sexual assault and domestic violence. As a member on the executive board of Not On My Campus myself, it was really exciting to have our message shared on such a large platform. The Athletics department also had t-shirts that said "Not On My Campus" that were available by making a donation, and all the money made is going to benefit a local rape crisis center.
At the Boulevard, members of Not On My Campus were passing out stickers, pins, and teal beads to wear to the game. This Saturday, the Boulevard was not only covered with the usual sorority stickers and pins but also teal Not On My Campus stickers and pins, a notable difference from other Boulevards. There was even a Not On My Campus Snapchat filter on the Boulevard for the hours preceding the game.
It's my hope that this game does become a tradition at SMU. I hope that every year more and more students choose to participate, whether that's by wearing a teal sticker, posting a photo on social media, or making a donation. I hope that it becomes more than just a great event once a year, but a true movement that SMU students feel passionate about. We hear the statistics all the time, one-in-five women and one-in-sixteen men. Hopefully this game will become another way we can make a difference on our campus.
