In an impressive move, several teams at Georgia Tech have committed to make a very real effort to increase voting among student-athletes. On Thursday, Georgia Tech announced that nine in-season sports teams have agreed to not hold mandatory athletic activities on Election Day: Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2020.
Those nine teams include: men’s basketball, women’s basketball, football, volleyball, men’s swimming and diving, men’s tennis, women’s tennis, men’s indoor track and field and women’s indoor track and field
Nine in-season @GTAthletics teams have committed to not hold mandatory athletic activities on Election Day – Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2020 – to encourage student-athletes and staff members to exercise their right to vote.#TogetherWeSwarm https://t.co/fXsAjSZ7cu
— Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (@GTAthletics) June 4, 2020
The number could grow, too. Tech’s women’s swimming and diving team has a competition set for Nov. 3, but is working with the opponent to reschedule the event, according to GT.
Georgia Tech director of athletics Todd Stansbury said the inititaive is an important step forward — one that has an impact beyond the playing field/court and class room:
I am very proud of our student-athletes and coaches for identifying a great way that they can take action to make a difference in our communities and society. As part of our mission of developing young people in all aspects of their lives, I feel that it is our responsibility to provide student-athletes with an environment that promotes civic duty.
Men’s basketball coach Josh Pastner, who is entering his fifth season at Georgia Tech, tweeted his support of the commitment as well.
Very proud of the leadership of @GTAthletics and @GTToddStansbury to help our student-athletes make their voices heard, and appreciate @CoachReveno being a strong advocate for this beyond our campus. #VotingMatters https://t.co/y0bMK5JE3I
— Coach Josh Pastner (@CoachJPastner) June 4, 2020