In an attempt to stomp out alcohol-related injuries during the UF-South Carolina football game this weekend, UF First Lady Chris Machen has partnered with Shands at UF and Student Government to create the Gator Watch campaign.
The campaign is intended to spread awareness about the prominence of alcohol-related trauma among students and to encourage community safety.
Machen said they are shooting for 96 trauma-free hours starting Thursday. The campaign will formally kick off later that day at Gators' Night Out on Flavet Field, hosted by the University Police.
The program is loosely based on Student Sideline Safety Zone, an outreach by UF and the city of Jacksonville at the UF-Georgia game to provide a safe haven for students, whether they are lost or in need of medical attention.
Although Gator Watch won't provide a safety zone this year, members will be raising awareness of the campaign at tabling areas and through advertising and a public service announcement by Coach Urban Meyer, Machen said.
She said next year Gator Watch will man a tent outside the stadium to provide safety services to students.
"To have no trauma is unrealistic, but if we can see a decrease and not have a death or serious injury, it's a success," she said. "If we can save one kid, it's worth it."
Machen said alcohol-related traumas occur at every football game, a problem reflected in the number of alcohol-related arrests made during home football games.
Of the 116 arrests made in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium at the home game against Louisiana State University, 51 were alcohol-related, according to UPD records.
UF spokeswoman Janine Sikes said she hopes Gator Watch's message will mean fewer students at the trauma center.
"We're not preaching about alcohol; we're just saying be responsible," Sikes said.
