Rape survivor Brenda Tracy invited to speak to the Auburn football team

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Tracy, who survived an alleged gang-rape in 1998 involving four men — two Oregon State football players — on the Oregon State campus, will travel to the Plains to address the Auburn football team Oct. 11.

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Most recently, Tracy spoke to football programs at Oregon State, Nebraska, Oklahoma and Baylor. Tracy said an Auburn official initially contacted Baylor to obtain her contact information.

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“I think (the timing) says this is important, we want to talk about this, we want to bring you here, because they’re seeking me out,” Tracy said. “They don’t have to have me, and I don’t take that for granted.”

On each visit, Tracy typically does two things: She shares her story, sparing few details, then encourages players to get involved. Her goal is to inspire bystanders to intervene if they see or hear something. She also asks that team members hold each other accountable.

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Tracy has more visits lined up for the fall, but is excited about her upcoming trip to Auburn, which will mark her first appearance at an SEC school.

“Whenever I go to a school where football is life, I think wow, this is a place where we could really have a profound effect,” Tracy said. “These kids, because football is life, these kids, could really change their communities in a really profound way. I feel like athletics and college campuses are so influential. They have this unique ability to influence their campus and communities and their states because all eyes are on them.”

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