Story Published:
Sep 2, 2010 at 3:26 PM MST
Story Updated:
Sep 2, 2010 at 3:26 PM MST
MISSOULA, Mont.—August 30, 2010— The message “Meth: Not Even Once” will be heard prominently on the University of Montana and Montana State University campuses this fall as both the Grizzlies and Bobcats host Montana Meth Project “Black Saturday” events during the upcoming football season. The collaboration with the two universities is a first for the Montana Meth Project, and will help spread the word about the risks of methamphetamine use to a broad audience of teens, parents, and young adults.
The University of Montana Grizzlies will host their “Black Saturday” event during their home opener against Western State College of Colorado on Saturday, September 4, at 1:05 p.m., in Missoula. The Montana State University “Black Saturday” event will be held on Saturday, October 23, at 1:05 p.m., when the Bobcats take on the University of Northern Colorado Bears in Bozeman.
“Black Saturday is a unique platform to spread the word about the risks of Meth use,” said Robin Pflugrad, head football coach for the University of Montana Grizzlies. “Virtually everyone in this state is either a Grizzlies fan or a Bobcats fan, and if they are not at the games they are listening on the radio or watching on television. By setting aside our on-the-field rivalries and working together, the University of Montana and Montana State can help ensure Montana’s young people have the facts about this toxic and dangerous drug.”
At each Black Saturday game, football fans will be asked to wear black to symbolize their support of the Montana Meth Project and its prevention message. The theme will be extended to the football field itself, as football’s traditional “red zone”—the yardage inside the 20-yard line at each end of the field—will be known as the “Black Zone” for the Black Saturday games. At the Grizzlies game, the University of Montana band will wear black uniforms and march in formation to spell out “Not Even Once” on the field during the third timeout of the second quarter.
Montana Meth Project volunteers will be on hand at both games to distribute black wristbands and “Not Even Once” temporary tattoos to game attendees. Fans also will have an opportunity to view award-winning artwork from the Montana Meth Project’s Paint the State contest, which will be displayed on the stadium jumbotrons at each school. In addition to the Black Saturday activities, Montana Meth Project public education messages will be heard during the radio broadcasts of all Grizzlies and Bobcats home games. And both universities have some Black Saturday surprises planned.
“Black Saturday gives Montana’s universities and our supporters an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of young people throughout the state,” said Rob Ash, head coach of the Montana State University football team. “The Bobcats are proud to be a part of the Montana Meth Project’s community outreach program, and we encourage our fans and the Grizzlies’ fans to join us in supporting this important public education effort. We have accomplished a great deal—meth use is down in Montana—but we need to do more.”
For more information on the Montana Meth Project and to make a contribution to its community outreach programs, please visit www.montanameth.org.
About the Montana Meth Project
Launched in September 2005, the Montana Meth Project, a not-for-profit organization headquartered in Missoula, Montana, implements a range of advertising and community action programs to reduce methamphetamine use in the state. Combining extensive research with a hard-hitting, integrated media campaign, it has been repeatedly cited as an effective response to a devastating social problem. For more information, visit www.montanameth.org.
# # #
