Don McPherson (jersey #9) is coming to UK! Former Syracuse superstar QB will be speaking this Thursday at 7pm in Student Center room 230 completely free to everyone (students and non-students).

His talk is on dating violence and  is directed primarily at men and focuses on language such as “you throw like a girl” that sets a standard on the narrow expectations of masculinity. 

McPherson set 22 school records at Syracuse (they went undefeated in 1987), led the NCAA in passing and won more than 18 national “player of the year” awards. He was runner up for the Heisman Trophy and in 2009 McPherson was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.

Don McPherson at Syracuse

Don’s seven year professional football career included playing for the NFL’s Philadelphia Eagles and Houston Oilers, before joining the Canadian Football League’s Hamilton Tiger-Cats and Ottawa Rough-Riders.

McPherson has traveled the country for over 30 years speaking at colleges and universities about bullying, substance abuse, alcohol, drunk driving, mentoring, and youth leadership.

VIP Center marketing on campus

After retiring  in 1994, he joined Northeastern University’s Center for the Study of Sport in Society as national director of Athletes in Service to America. He became Director of Sport in Society’s Mentors in Violence Program (MVP) emerging as a national leader and advocate for the prevention of sexual and domestic violence.

UK has their own resource for violence, on campus. The VIP (Violence Intervention Prevention) Center is located on campus and encourages students who have ever been involved in any type of violence to come seek help at any time. 

Men and women can visit the VIP Center by appointment on their website either to volunteer or to talk with someone about their experiences.

Don coming to UK is awesome, and it’s free. Learn more about him and why he became an activist on his official website.

Parents, if you’re in the Lexington area, bring your teens. Students, if you’re free come check it out.

Follow me on Twitter, @MeagatronKSR