Photo credit: sjsuspartans.com

By: Ana Kieu

SAN JOSE, Calif. — The San Jose State football team hasn’t went above and beyond in the past two seasons under head coach Brent Brennan, but here’s a silver lining on the team.

For the second summer in a row, the Spartans stood tall and took an evening stroll in high heels in their support to end all forms of violence against women in the Silicon Valley YWCA’s annual “Walk A Mile In Her Shoes” fundraiser.

More than 110 Spartan players and coaches joined community leaders and concerned citizens in the quest to end violence against women everywhere.

“Love conquers hate. I was raised by women. I appreciate everyone out here,” said wide receiver Tre Walker, a junior from Los Angeles who led last year’s team in receiving yardage and yards per catch.

Raised funds for “Walk A Mile In Her Shoes” 
For the Spartans to participate in this year’s event held in San Jose’s Santana Row, they raised the $1,500.00 registration fee through donations and a 2018 GoFundMe page in conjunction with t-shirt sales from the October 6 home game vs. Colorado State. The game was promoted as the “Set the Expectation” game in recognition of nationally-known rape survivor Brenda Tracy’s determination to raise and increase awareness of a problem that affects everyone.

Funds raised from this year’s event will provide support for domestic violence, sexual assault and human trafficking survivors through life-changing and life-saving services provided by the YWCA Silicon Valley. This year’s fund-raising goal is $185,000.

Part of the Spartans’ “Beyond Football” initiative
SJSU’s participation in the “Walk A Mile In Her Shoes” fundraiser is one of its many “Beyond Football” initiatives. The week’s activities included a visit from city of San Jose Police Chief Eddie Garcia and members of the police department.

To support the Spartans’ participation in the Silicon Valley YMCA’s annual “Walk A Mile In Her Shoes” fundraiser, visit www.ywca-sv.org and click on the “Events” tab.