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Gordie Hug, Leadership Forum and Gordie Vigil
BOULDER COLORADO , SEPTEMBER 13th - 17th 2006
In an attempt to break a world record, students at the University of Colorado participated in the “Gordie Hug” at Folsom Field, during the second quarter of the football game against Arizona State on Saturday, September 16. Approximately 50,000 in attendance were asked to hug the people standing around them, in memory of Gordie Bailey and honoring the “hug club” which Bailey formed at his high school to promote unity. Following the game, 28,000 GORDIEcheck cards , which have a picture of Gordie on one side and the signs of alcohol poising on the other, were handed out as fans left the stadium. GORDIEcheck cards were donated by the Gordie Foundation.
Jack Gilles, G.O.R.D. director stated that “The hug makes a statement of community. It sends a message to alumni and the general population at Colorado University. If you build a tight-knit community, that’s the best way to combat the binge-drinking culture. We’re not trying to change the person. We’re trying to change what they think about before making decisions.”
We at G.O.R.D – Guidance and Objectives on Responsible Drinking – worked with Power of One to orchestrate this record-breaker to commemorate the two-year anniversary of the death of Gordie. We also held a vigil to remember Gordie, the next day on the steps of the former Chi Psi lodge.
In addition to this event, earlier in the week, all student group leaders were invited to a forum to generate discussion about hot topics on campus including the dangers of binge drinking.
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