Laramie, Wyo. (April 2, 2019) -- Last week, University of Wyoming Athletics brought in one of the nation's leading speakers on the topic of "men's violence against women" to talk with UW student-athletes and staff. Don McPherson, a Consensus All-America quarterback at Syracuse University and a College Football Hall of Fame inductee, facilitated a discussion around his topic of Dating Violence: "You Throw Like a Girl".
McPherson describes his "You Throw Like a Girl" presentation on his website donaldmcpherson.com as follows: "This discussion 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 while simultaneously establishing an understanding that girls and women are "less than" men. The presentation focuses on nurturing positive language and understanding of masculine identity."
He spoke with student-athlete groups on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings, and met with UW Athletic coaches and staff on both days. McPherson also met with a group of staff members from the University of Wyoming Student Affairs Office.
After retiring from professional football in 1994, McPherson was named the national director of Athletes in Service to America at Northeastern University's Center for the Study of Sport in Society. In 1995, he turned his focus to the issue of "men's violence against women," as director of Sport in Society's Mentors in Violence Prevention Program, taking over for the program's founder, Jackson Katz. McPherson emerged as a national leader and advocated for the prevention of sexual and domestic violence. He has conducted workshops and lectures for more than 250 college campuses, community organizations and national sports and violence prevention organizations. His programs and lectures have reached more than 1 million people. He has twice testified before the United States Congress and has worked closely with the U.S. Departments of Education and Defense on issues of sexual violence in education and the military, respectively.
As a college quarterback at Syracuse, he led the Orange to an undefeated season in 1987, a No. 4 national ranking and the Sugar Bowl. McPherson was named the Maxwell Award winner in 1987 as the nation's most outstanding player. He also won the Davey O'Brien Award (nation's most outstanding quarterback) and the inaugural Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award (most outstanding senior quarterback). McPherson was a Consensus All-American and was runner-up for the 1987 Heisman Trophy. He went on to a seven-year professional career in the NFL and CFL, playing for the Philadelphia Eagles, Houston Oilers, Hamilton Tiger-Cats and Ottawa Rough Riders. In 2008, McPherson was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame. In 2013, Syracuse University retired his #9 jersey, becoming only the fourth number to be retired in the history of Syracuse football.
He has received several honors in recognition of his service, including: the Frederick Douglas Men of Strength Award, given by Men Can Stop Rape; Champions for Change, presented by Lifetime Television; The Creative Vision for Women's Justice, presented by the Pace University Women's Justice Center; and a Leadership Award from the National Center for Victims of Crime. Most recently Don received the George Arents Award, Syracuse University's highest alumni honor and "Letter Winner of Distinction", the highest honor bestowed a former student-athlete.
McPherson's presentation was part of UW Athletics Excellence at 7220 program that is focused on helping develop leadership skills in both student-athletes and Athletic Department employees. The central tenets of the program include: developing tomorrow's leaders; promoting personal growth; encouraging community engagement; improving the well-being of student-athletes, coaches and other departmental personnel; promoting excellence; teaching skills for life; encouraging professional development; and helping guide each participant on an individual level.
