The YWCA of Nashville & Middle Tennessee is hosting ‘A Call to Coaches’ at Montgomery Bell Academy on Thursday, April 10. Coaches and others who mentor boys and young men are invited to take part in the free, inaugural event that will address the important role they play in developing young men of character and reducing violence against women and girls.
For more than 40 years, the YWCA has been at the forefront of the domestic violence crisis, providing services to victims and their families. In early 2013, the YWCA began the Engaging Men initiative to prevent the violence before it occurs by hosting numerous events to raise awareness, manage the current environment that contributes to violence, and encourage change.
“The problem of violence against women can’t be solved by engaging only half the population,” said YWCA President/CEO Pat Shea, “We believe that swifter progress can be made by engaging good men and providing them with the tools and perspective needed to influence the next generation. A Call to Coaches is an important event for those who shape the lives and character of boys and young men, particularly through sports—whether you’re a coach, team booster or engaged neighbor.”
The line-up for A Call to Coaches includes TSSAA Executive Director Bernard Childress, Backfield in Motion CEO and football legend James ‘Boots’ Donnelly, ASPU Basketball Coach Dave Loos, Vanderbilt Football Coach Derek Mason, former Tennessee Titan Chris Sanders, current Tennessee Titan Delaine Walker, and Vanderbilt Vice Chancellor for Athletics David Williams. Radio broadcaster for 104.5 the Zone and ESPN.com’s Paul Kuharsky will emcee the event.
A Call to Coaches is led by nationally recognized violence prevention expert Tony Porter, co-founder of A Call To Men. Porter is working in partnership with the YWCA to empower men to speak up, be part of the solution, and make Nashville a safer city for women and children. Currently, Tennessee ranks sixth in the nation for the rate at which women are killed by men.
A Call to Coaches is free and open to all who coach and mentor in the community and is generously underwritten by the Vanderbilt Athletic Department, the Ohio Valley Conference, Verizon Foundation and the James Stephen Turner Family Foundation.
A Call to Coaches will take place on April 10 at Montgomery Bell Academy from 8:30 am to 11:30 am. To register, visit
