Tuesday, October 11, 2005

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (October 11, 2005) - The ETSU Department of Intercollegiate Athletics and its Alcohol Awareness Task Force welcomed Tiana Tozer to campus Monday night to speak to student athletes and members of the community on the power of making good choices.  A large crowd gathered in the D.P. Culp auditorium to hear Tozer's powerful message on the effects of drunk driving. 

"I do this anywhere from 10-20 times a year because if I can just touch one person and change a behavior so that next time they make a better decision, it's all worth it," said Tozer. 

Tozer spoke about the choices that people make each day in regards to drinking and driving.  She encouraged everyone to make better choices.

"We lose thousands a year to drinking and driving, it costs thousands of dollars in bills and insurance, but most of all it costs us some of our brightest people," Tozer said.

During her sophomore year at the University of Oregon, Tozer was struck by an intoxicated driver.  She spent a month in intensive care and has undergone 34 surgeries.  She spent four years struggling to walk, only to learn that a wheelchair would become a permanent part of her life. 

"We felt it was important to bring Tiana to speak to the community, because unlike the other speakers we've had, Tiana is a victim. This will bring a new perspective to the students on what drinking can do," said Associate AD/Senior Woman Administrator Barbie Breedlove.  "It is important for us to reach out to all students on campus and within the community on the effects of alcohol."