Nov. 1, 2007

DeKALB, Ill. - The Northern Illinois men's basketball and football teams will wear white wristbands during games the week of Nov. 5 to support the White Ribbon Campaign, a program to end violence against women.

On Nov. 5, the Huskies men's basketball team will don white wristbands in their exhibition game against Augustana. Five days later, NIU's football team will wear white wristbands in its Nov. 10 game against Kent State.

The White Ribbon Campaign began when a group of men decided to make a pledge to never commit, condone, or remain silent about violence against women. Now, men from all over the world wear the white ribbon to show that they are doing their part to make sure the women in their lives live free from violence and fear.

There are now White Ribbon Campaigns in over 50 countries around the world. What began as an annual awareness week is now a year-round effort focusing on education and awareness, and challenging men around the world in ending violence against women.

Northern Illinois players, coaches, athletic trainers and cheerleaders will wear the white wristbands instead of the traditional white ribbons to represent their support for the campaign.

-NIU-