45,000 embrace in memory of Gordie Bailey
CU students attempted to make it into the Guinness Book of World Records by participating in the world’s biggest hug as a tribute to Gordie Bailey, who died two years ago from alcohol poisoning. CU groups G.O.R.D (Guidelines and Objectives on Responsible Drinking) and Power of One encouraged all students to participate in breaking the world record for the biggest hug on Sept. 16 at the Arizona State game. The previous record was set on Sept. 25, 2005, in Juarez, Mexico, when a crowd of 6,623 hugged. Saturday’s Folsom Field hug among about 45,000 still needs to be officially confirmed by Guinness before taking the record. "By breaking the world record for the world’s biggest hug, we are breaking down barriers and educating students and fans about our message," said Dustin Farivar, President of Power of One. Power of One and G.O.R.D. decided to try to break the world record in memory of Gordie Bailey. When Bailey went to Deer Field Academy in Massachusetts, he started the Hug Club. The club was started in order to build a stronger community. "You can’t fix any problem without repairing the community," Gilles said. Power of One and G.O.R.D both felt like they wanted to take that same idea and apply it to CU because the university has recieved a lot of recent media coverage over it’s scandals. "There are a lot of opportunities to make an impact and we will make every effort to do so by staying actively involved in the university," Farivar said. Bailey’s death was also commemorated with a vigil on Sunday outside of the Chi Psi house.