Tennessee football team members Stephen Griffin and Micah Abernathy, front row from left, participate with other students in the second annual "Hike the Hill in Heels" across University of Tennessee's campus on Friday, April 1, 2016. UT's Center for Health Education and Wellness hosted the event to kick off Sexual Assault Awareness Month, whose aim is to raise awareness of sexual assault and its effects on college campuses and the greater community. (ADAM LAU/NEWS SENTINEL)

SHARE Students and staff listen during a rally before the second annual "Hike the Hill in Heels" across University of Tennessee's campus on Friday, April 1, 2016. UT's Center for Health Education and Wellness hosted the event to kick off Sexual Assault Awareness Month, whose aim is to raise awareness of sexual assault and its effects on college campuses and the greater community. (ADAM LAU/NEWS SENTINEL) Student Craig Brooks struts his stuff in a runway contest during the second annual "Hike the Hill in Heels" across UT's campus on Friday, April 1, 2016. UT's Center for Health Education and Wellness hosted the event to kick off Sexual Assault Awareness Month, whose aim is to raise awareness of sexual assault and its effects on college campuses and the greater community. (ADAM LAU/NEWS SENTINEL) Devin Hollingsworth and Nathan Burriss, from left, search for a pair of heels to distribute to participants in the second annual "Hike the Hill in Heels" across University of Tennessee's campus on Friday, April 1, 2016. UT's Center for Health Education and Wellness hosted the event to kick off Sexual Assault Awareness Month, whose aim is to raise awareness of sexual assault and its effects on college campuses and the greater community. (ADAM LAU/NEWS SENTINEL) Jamil Price, assistant director for student transitions, sports orange-and-white checkered heels while emceeing the second annual "Hike the Hill in Heels" across University of Tennessee's campus on Friday, April 1, 2016. UT's Center for Health Education and Wellness hosted the event to kick off Sexual Assault Awareness Month, whose aim is to raise awareness of sexual assault and its effects on college campuses and the greater community. (ADAM LAU/NEWS SENTINEL) Related Photos Photos: UT students Hike the Hill in Heels

By John Shearer of the Knoxville News Sentinel

Male students Jacob Travis and Davis Mills were getting into the appropriate spirit — and shoes — for the second annual Hike the Hill in Heels event at the University of Tennessee Friday afternoon.

Trying to enjoy a mile-in-their-moccasins-like experience by walking in heels to support sexual assault awareness along with dozens of others, they admitted the cause was definitely better than the slightly uncomfortable jaunt.

"It's different," Travis said in front of Ayres Hall after the two had reached the end of the walk. "This is the first time I've ever had to walk in them. It is for a great cause, but it might have been a little bit easier walking up with regular shoes."

Mills likened his heels to cowboy boots. "Except the ends were a little narrower," he joked. "It wasn't too hard, but it definitely wasn't real comfortable, either."

As part of Sexual Assault Awareness Month, the two joined dozens of other male and female students — plenty also donning heels — in hiking a roundabout half-mile route from the Humanities Plaza up the hill to Ayres.

It was its own Vol Walk, except the silent cheerers and supporters were the walkers themselves. Also taking part were a number of male and female varsity UT athletes, including football offensive lineman Charles Mosley.

"It's one of the great events that the football team wanted to come out and support," said Mosley as he crossed the bridge near Neyland Stadium. "We are not really out here for publicity. We just wanted to help support the cause."

UT athletics has been in the news in recent months related to sexual assault due to rape charges against now-former football players A.J. Johnson and Michael Williams, and a Title IX lawsuit against the school alleging a "hostile sexual environment."

UT Center for Health, Education and Wellness director Ashley Blamey said Friday's event was not a reaction to that, but simply a kickoff to a month of activities related to the national Sexual Assault Awareness Month.

"What this event uniquely does is bring everybody together to do something fun and at the same time with the understanding that this is a serious issue and our commitment to this issue is visible," she said before the walk began.

"Whenever we talk about it and have open conversations about it, it shows the survivors and victims that we are all listening and are all here to support them."

Vols2Vols peer health education program representatives Summer Watson and Nathan Burriss were among the numerous student volunteers helping put on the event. Watson, the president, thought it was important to bring the issue to the forefront.

Friday's event was an ideal opportunity for men to join the conversation, Burriss said.

"I think it really catches people's eyes when they see both men and women in heels," he said as he stood in front of a table of high-heeled shoes.

At the top of the hill, several booths were set up, and students could participate in several fun competitions, including the high-heeled runway walk.