Stetson University’s Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) will host inspirational speaker and former WCW and WWE wrestling champion, Marc Mero, on Monday, Feb. 10, from 6-7:30 p.m., in the Stetson Room., second floor of the Carlton Union Building, 131 E. Minnesota Ave., DeLand. The event is open to the public, free of charge, and allows Stetson students to receive cultural credit for attendance.

Mero, a native of New York, has wrestled against the likes of “Stone Cold Steve Austin,” “The Rock,” and “Triple H.” Wrestling under the stage name “Marvelous” Marc Mero, he reached the pinnacle of the sports entertainment industry when he became a World Wrestling Champion; however Mero quickly realized that money and fame couldn’t buy him happiness.

Mero endured the tragic loss of more than 30 of his closest friends and family members mostly due to poor lifestyle choices and negative behaviors. It was this pain that sparked Mero to start Champion of Choices, a nonprofit organization he founded in 2007.

“I’m dedicating the rest of my life to helping young people know that there’s hope in this world,” said Mero. “Anyone can achieve their goals and dreams if they choose to BELIEVE!”

In the Champion of Choices presentation, Mero will discuss issues such as anti-bullying, substance abuse, suicide prevention and peer pressure, all of which he has dealt with personally. His unique method of portraying his own life while never being afraid to stand up, step up, and speak up, leads to an entertaining and emotional presentation. He will tell the emotional tale of tragedy to triumph while giving audience members a firsthand view of just how important the small things in life really are.

“SADD hopes to raise awareness of these issues and provide students with the best tools possible to handle these types of situations, because everyone is subjected to these issues throughout their lives,” said Jacqueline Pollack, president of SADD. “From his message, we hope students will treat themselves and others with respect, achieve goals, cherish relationships and feel empowered to make positive choices in their lives.”

For more information about Marc Mero’s presentation, contact Pollack, president of Students Against Destructive Decisions at [email protected].

By Andy Patel