WEST LIBERTY, W.Va., Nov. 5, 2015 — Football is a game of hard hitters and aggression but it’s also a game of rules and teamwork. Hilltopper Football created a public service video recently to support teamwork of another sort — in families and relationships.
“We were approached by Trish Flanigan at the YWCA to assist in violence prevention program during the month of October. Our football team was pleased to be a part in something this positive and inspirational,” Hilltopper assistant coach Abu Ma’afala said. “We hope the video inspires respectful behavior toward women and helps young men to see that violence isn’t appropriate in the family or personal relationships.”
The PSA is part of the bigger Coaching Boys into Men initiative, produced by Futures without Violence, an international movement that promotes respectful behavior among players.
Coaching is 10 percent football and 90 percent life, according to Ma’afala.
“We have what we call Five Core Values in football and the second of the five is to treat women with respect,” he said. “The video sends a clear message and hopefully will help in channeling aggression in young men in a good way.”
Patricia Flanigan, Family Violence Prevention Program director at the YWCA Wheeling, is grateful for West Liberty University’s involvement in the message that supports her ongoing efforts at violence prevention and awareness.
“As a community, we need to focus on teaching people healthy relationships,” she said. “I’m grateful to all the students, athletes, coaches and professors who played a part in making this video a reality.”
The video was created by WLU-TV Channel 14 and its student interns. Football players were the actors.
“As coaches, it’s our job to try and train these young men. We get them for four or five years and we work to teach them how to be upright citizens,” Ma’afala said.
To view the video, please click here. To contact, Flanigan call 304-232-2748.
The West Liberty football team hosts Glenville State tonight in the final home game of the regular season. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. at West Family Stadium. For complete information on Hilltopper Athletics visit hilltoppersports.com.