Clarksville, Ark.-The Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) assisted in Wednesday's Spread the Word to End the Word campaign.

Students were able to sign a banner and pledge to use respectful, inclusive language and eliminate the pejorative use of the R-word ("retard" or "retarded"). Dr. Steve Oatis spoke about the campaign during the campus's weekly chapel service. After the service, SAAC members helped students pledge, collected signatures and answered questions regarding the campaign.

"The experience was amazing," said SAAC President Travis Leach. "Everyone that took the pledge understood they were bettering the community and making it more inclusive through a small act. It is important for SAAC to be involved because often athletes can be the face of the school. So if student-athletes are pledging, many others will follow along."

The pledge-signed banner will be displayed in the chapel next week to display all who have worked together to create a respectful community.

The goal of the R-word campaign is to create more accepting attitudes and communities for all people. The campaign is pushing for communities to use respectful, people-first language. To access more information, purchase campaign merchandise, or pledge online, visit www.r-word.org. 

The R-word campaign is also affiliated with the Special Olympics. The Special Olympics is a worldwide organization with more than 4.5 million athletes in 170 countries that transforms lives through the joy of sport.

By Keaton Ramsey, Student Assistant for Sports Information