Binghamton University to hold “Yards for Yeardley” event to raise awareness of relationship abuse

BINGHAMTON, N.Y. – Binghamton University will join SUNY campuses in an effort to walk 50 million combined yards in honor of Yeardley Love and other victims of relationship abuse from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday, April 30, on the Peace Quad, on campus. This event is free and open to the public.

Created by three women on the Boston College and University of Virginia lacrosse teams in 2014, ‘Yards for Yeardley’ honors Yeardley Love, who was abused and killed by her former romantic partner just weeks before her graduation. The initiative is run by the organization One Love, which was founded in 2010 to honor Yeardley and ensure everyone understands the difference between a healthy and unhealthy relationship.

Volunteers from the Binghamton University Athletics Department and the 20:1 Sexual Assault Prevention Program will be on hand to track each lap that registrants make around the University Peace Quad. Individuals can show up at any point during the event and pledge to walk laps. The goal is to join other SUNY campuses in taking enough steps to circle the earth.

“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 Binghamton University for the yards covered by students, faculty, staff and the community.”

Last year, 10 participating SUNY Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) campuses reached a total of over 25 million yards; this year campuses will work together toward a goal of nearly 50 million yards, the equivalent of traveling once around the world. For campuses meeting site goals, One Love Foundation, through its partnership with the New York Jets, will give two tickets for a game this season, and six student leaders from the campus that totals the most number of yards per student will receive tickets to watch a game from a suite.

This event is sponsored by the Binghamton University Athletics Department. For more info, visit https://binghamton.campuslabs.com/engage/event/1982483. Faculty, staff and students are encouraged to download the Charity Miles app (iPhone or Android) to register, and log any yards running or walking in support of the event.