NAU Athletics Partners with Flagstaff Schools for Red Ribbon Week
Red Ribbon Photo Gallery on Facebook
FLAGSTAFF – Northern Arizona University student-athletes visited Flagstaff elementary schools last month, encouraging youngsters to commit themselves to a drug-free lifestyle. Student-athletes from each of the 15 intercollegiate teams, as well as the cheer and dance teams, visited schools throughout the week.
The 23rd annual event is presented by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona in partnership with NAU Athletics, Flagstaff Unified School District, Coconino County Alliance Against Drugs, CASA and the Flagstaff Mall & the Marketplace.
"Red Ribbon Week is an opportunity for our student-athletes to be a visible part of the Flagstaff community. It is an event we look forward to as an athletic department each year," said Jim Fallis, NAU athletic director.
The week kicked off with a rally in the Skydome on Monday, Oct. 25.
The event culminates on Saturday at halftime of the final regular season football game against Southern Utah when all students at the game recite the drug-free pledge on the field of the Skydome.
All those wearing a red ribbon or showing a drug-free pledge card will be given complimentary admission to the game compliments of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona. Kickoff is set for 3:05 p.m.
The first national Red Ribbon Week was held Oct. 23 – 31, 1988 in honor of Enrique “Kiki” Camarena, a federal drug enforcement officer who was killed by drug traffickers in Mexico in 1985. In response to his death, angered parents across the country began wearing red ribbons to symbolize their commitment toward the creation of a drug-free country. Congress officially designated “Red Ribbon Week” three years later as a symbol of the drug-free movement.
