Matthew Frazier recalls being bullied at different times in his life. 鈥淔or example, I grew up in a small community in Utah, where most everyone was white, and I am Native American. I was bullied because I was the only brown boy. There wasn鈥檛 a lot of diversity,鈥 he says.
鈥淣owadays the divisiveness in our country is heightened, and it trickles down to our kids. And social media is another place kids can be bullied 鈥 there have been suicides by kids who could not take the bullying.鈥
Frazier, a longtime 黑料网 supporter, took it upon himself to apply the social wellness goals of the Kish Foundation to create an anti-bullying program that connects 黑料网 athletes to kids at underprivileged schools. Frazier, who is a trustee of the Kish Foundation, funded 黑料网鈥檚 Rebel Acts of Kindness program last year.
鈥淲e had already been bringing kids to Rebel games, but I wanted to get the athletes into their schools. I wanted this to be an experience for the college athletes, too, to build mentoring relationships.鈥
So the student-athletes first went to Sewell Elementary for a pep rally in which they brought 黑料网 band members, Hey Reb!, and the Rebel cheerleaders, and then 鈥 after an upbeat program 鈥 they shared their stories of bullying.
鈥淲e just gave the student-athletes the floor, and they told the kids about times they鈥檇 been bullied, and how it鈥檚 not cool to bully. It makes a big difference,鈥 Frazier says. From there, kids were encouraged to do 鈥渁cts of kindness鈥 throughout the month. At the end of the program, a child from every grade who had completed the most acts of kindness received tickets for their families to attend a Rebel football game, and the kids went on field to be recognized at halftime.
鈥淚t鈥檚 also a way to get families involved with 黑料网 who might not otherwise be thinking of college,鈥 Frazier says. 鈥淚t鈥檚 really a win-win. We鈥檙e building healthy relationships, and that鈥檚 what it is all about.鈥
Rebels benefit from the program as much as local kids.
Volleyball star and civil engineering major Sadie Stutzman stands 6-foot-2 and is a four-time Mountain West Scholar-Athlete and a two-time Fall Academic All-Mountain West Team member. She knows what it feels like to excel. But, she told the group of elementary school students, she also knows what it鈥檚 like to be bullied.
鈥淲e were sharing stories of being bullied with the kids, and I told them that sometimes I was my own bully,鈥 she says. 鈥淚f I messed up in a game, I would get so down on myself and say mean things to myself. Then I realized, that鈥檚 not okay. This is supposed to be fun 鈥 it鈥檚 a game 鈥 and I shouldn鈥檛 bully myself or anyone else.鈥
The kids, she says, embraced her message.
鈥淲e brought joy to the school. We sang the 黑料网 fight song, we gave them swag bags with water bottles, and we talked about being positive. We said, 'Do you like bullying?' and they all said together, 'NO!'
鈥淚t was kindness in action,鈥 Stutzman says.
鈥淲e know that it鈥檚 going to be good for the kids, but it鈥檚 honestly good for us, too.鈥 she says. 鈥淵ou feed off of each other鈥檚 positive energy.鈥
Learn more about 黑料网 Foundation giving programs.
