SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. — The Lake Superior State hockey team will host its ninth-annual 'White Out' domestic and sexual violence awareness night inside Taffy Abel Arena on Friday, Jan. 25 when the Lakers take on Bemidji State at 7 p.m.
The 'White-Out' night stems from the White Ribbon Campaign which was formed in the early 1990's by a group of men in Toronto, Canada with the purpose of ending domestic and sexual violence against women.
In recent years, Lake State has teamed up with the Diane Peppler Resource Center and several agencies in the local community to create the Sexual Violence Prevention Team of the Eastern Upper Peninsula.
The goal of the 'White Out' night is for Laker fans to wear as much white as possible to bring awareness to, and help end domestic and sexual violence. This year, through donations and community support, the DPRC and SVP team have made it possible to give away 1,000 free t-shirts at Friday's game.
Throughout the game, several stations representing different violence prevention agencies from around the EUP will be set to provide information and opportunities to get involved.
This event is one of many sexual violence awareness and prevention initiatives that Laker Athletics has been involved in. All student-athletes were required to take the Title IX online training and participate in an Up-Stander intervention training. They hosted the first Stand UP tailgate event at a Laker volleyball game in fall 2018 and had multiple student-athletes participate in the Safe Party hosted by the Title IX Office, as well as encouraging participation with speakers who were brought to campus to discuss sexual assault and Up-Stander intervention strategies.
Additional information on the White Ribbon Campaign can be found online at whiteribbon.ca. To learn more about the Diane Peppler Resource Center visit dpcenter.org or call 906-635-0566.
Tickets may be purchased at the Norris Center Ticket Office or online. For additional ticket information, call (906) 635-2602.
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