Feb. 1, 2002
COLLEGE PARK, Md. - After University of Maryland student Jennifer Elliott's brother, John, was killed by a drunk driver, she and her family decided to channel their grief into helping prevent others from experiencing a similar fate.
Jennifer's efforts will be showcased at Cole Field House this weekend, with the university's public kick-off of the HERO Campaign for Designated Drivers. During the women's basketball game Feb. 2 at 7:30 p.m. and the men's game Feb. 3 at 4 p.m., student athletes and other leaders will distribute information on accessing safe transportation on and around the campus. The Elliott family will be in attendance, as will John's girlfriend, who was critically injured in the accident.
Throughout the weekend, the university, through its Greek organizations and the Student Athletes Advisory Committee (SAAC), hopes to engage the entire campus and College Park community in making a commitment to support designated drivers. Marsha Guenzler-Stevens, director of campus activities, notes Maryland is the first university in the country to support the campaign.
"The university's multi-pronged alcohol education program focuses on helping students learn to make wise choices," said Guenzler-Stevens. "The HERO Campaign fits very nicely with that effort and has been embraced by students, faculty and staff."
SAAC - through its CHAMPS Life Skills Program, which promotes personal development and community service among athletes - has adopted the HERO Campaign. This weekend's events will feature members from nearly every Maryland athletic team, as well as other campus leaders, who will be wearing HERO T-shirts. Johnny Holliday, the voice of the Terps, recorded interviews about the HERO Campaign with Terrapin basketball players Tahj Holden and Rosita Melbourne that will be played during game breaks.
A HERO is a Human Education Resource Officer, a distinction John Elliott received from his peers while at the Naval Academy. In the summer of 2000, just two months after graduating from the Academy, John, 22, was killed when a drunk driver struck his car.
Blue and gold ribbons - the colors of the Naval Academy - signify participation in the HERO Campaign. Persons wearing them have accepted the principles of the program, which include looking out for friends, always having a designated driver and avoiding mixing alcohol and other substances with driving. Ribbons will be passed out to fans who indicate a commitment to the principles as they exit the field house.
The HERO Campaign aims to increase designated drivers throughout the state and nation by gaining the support of local businesses, including bars and taverns. Merchants and officials in the city of College Park have pledged to support the campaign.
"The program has helped us through a very tough time by giving us hope that we can make a difference by saving lives," said Jenny, a junior education major. "Even though we'll never have John back, we are motivated to do something good in his honor, and we believe the HERO Campaign will do just that."
John was driving to his parents' home in New Jersey for his mother's birthday when the fatal accident occurred. The man who hit John had been arrested and charged with driving while intoxicated just three hours earlier.
The Elliott family lobbied the New Jersey state government to change the law for people charged with driving while intoxicated. In April of 2001, the New Jersey legislature unanimously passed "John's Law," which allows police officers to confiscate the vehicles of people arrested for DWI for up to 12 hours. The Maryland General Assembly is considering similar legislation.
The HERO Campaign is a program of the John R. Elliott Foundation. More information about the HERO Campaign is available at www.herocampaign.org.
