Friday night̢۪s Fresno State softball game was more than just the WAC opener against San Jose State: It was Domestic Violence Awareness Night.

Mu Chi Omega and the Violence Prevention Project organized an event before the game starting at the Free Speech Area on campus and ending at the softball field. Participators literally walked a mile in women̢۪s shoes for victims of domestic violence.

Eight pairs of women’s high heels were donated to the event. “Anyone who donated shoes got a free ticket to the softball game,â€Â Abraham Soto said.

March honored coach’s sister

With the softball game starting at 6 p.m., Soto and Mica Vargas helped collect the group at about 5:20 p.m.

This is the third year that the national movement ‘Walk a Mile in Her Shoes’ has been linked to a softball game at Fresno State.

“We walk a mile for those who have been a victim of the crime,â€Â Vargas said.

The march was dedicated to head coach Margie Wright̢۪s sister, who was a victim of domestic violence.

Vargas is the project coordinator of the Violence Prevention Project in the Women̢۪s Resource Center.

“We want to get attention and raise awareness,â€Â Soto said.

Thirty-four people marched, 11 holding signs. Seven were men in heels.

Signs read phrases like “Take Back the Night,â€Â “No Means Noâ€Â and “Silence is NOT Consent.â€Â One participator became a leader, by chanting these phrases through a megaphone and the group echoed.

Participators walked past Psychology and Human Services and Family & Food Science, crossed Campus Drive going between the North Gym and South Gym headed toward Cedar Avenue.

The women̢۪s lacrosse team joined the march at that point and continued the rest of the way with the group. The group made a right on Cedar Avenue and then a right on Barstow Avenue reaching their destination at Bulldog Diamond.

Key goal to raise awareness

The domestic violence theme continued at the game. The Marjaree Mason Center had a table at the entrance to the game collecting donations and handing out information.

At the start of the game, ‘Walk a Mile’ participators went on the field for a moment of silence in honor of victims and for the first pitch. The softball game announcer thanked the Violence Prevention Project and Mu Chi Omega for their act against violence.

Coach Wright thinks that having Domestic Violence Awareness Night is a great way to raise awareness about how to prevent it or find help.

“I lost my sister through domestic violence and I don’t want any one else’s family to go through that,â€Â Wright said.

Wright has her softball players participate in Take Back the Night that happens in the fall semester where she has been a speaker in the past.

Wright believes that victims are unaware that there is help out there.

“I think it is great to have people come to the games and support the women,â€Â Wright said. “If they can find out how to help victims they know, that is my goal.â€Â