More than 300 participants dropped their bats and played kickball Sunday, April 17 during a charity tournament for fellow Rutgers classmate Tyler Clementi.
In fall of 2010, Clementi, a first-year Rutgers student, received international attention for a tragedy that profoundly impacted the Rutgers community and countless others.
Originally dubbed “Get-Wiff-It,” Rutgers–Camden undergraduates Dariano and Bauers organized the charity tournament to raise money and awareness for cyber bullying, and to bring players of all skill levels out to enjoy the popular game.
“For me, the event was more memorable because everyone was coming up with their own catch phrases on the spot for kickball and cyber bullying,” says Bauers, a social work major from Woodbury Heights. “Since we could no longer use ‘Get Wiff It,’ many people were saying ‘let’s kick it’ or ‘kick out cyber bulling.’ Our goals and aspirations for the result of the event were much greater and lofty than the format.”
George Anthony, the executive director of Peace Dynamics Consultants and co-author of the book Stand-Up and Lead, addressed attendees during a scheduled break in play.
“Tyler’s story really touched us,” says Bauers. “We had a heart for what he went through and wanted to do something about it. We’ve done charity walks, which can be great events, but we wanted to do something creative.”
Michelle Meloy, an associate professor of criminal justice at Rutgers–Camden, serves as the group’s faculty advisor. “This tournament is meaningful for many reasons. It generated funds to begin a cyber bullying prevention and awareness initiative at Rutgers-Camden and is unique because it was the brain child of two socially minded and empathetic undergraduate students,” notes Meloy. “We hope this event helped stop cyber bullying and saves lives in the Rutgers’ community, and beyond.”
The $6,000 raised at the event will fund initiatives on campus aimed to prevent cyber bullying, from a proposed speaker series to sensitivity training for resident life employees.
"We thought this tournament would let people go out, have a good time, make some friends, and make a difference," says Dariano, a criminal justice major from Atco.
He continues, “We consider it to be a jumpstart for better campus awareness of what people may be going through. Something of the magnitude that happened to Tyler may not happen every day, but we all walk around with our online lives in our pockets. Anything can happen, anywhere.”
Clementi’s parents also addressed the participants at the event. “I am glad I had the chance to shake their hands and thank them for their support in our mission,” Dariano says. “It’s a mission that we all passionately share: to create awareness about the effects of cyber bullying and how schools can educate their staff and students in preparing for and dealing with this growing social problem.”
The festivities also included a silent auction, DJ, dunk tank, refreshments, and prizes. The event was held at the Rutgers–Camden Community Park on Second Street, between Linden Street and the Benjamin Franklin Bridge. The championship game was played under the lights on Campbell’s Field, home of the Rutgers–Camden men’s baseball team.
Media Contact: Cathy Donovan
(856) 225-6627
E-mail: catkarm@camden.rutgers.edu