WASHINGTON – Over the past few months, the Georgetown University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics has encouraged all eligible Americans to get registered and vote. It has become one of the
primary initiatives in the department during an especially challenging year. On Tuesday, Francis X. Rienzo Director of Intercollegiate Athletics
Lee Reed will take it a step further as he encourages all coaches to pause athletics activities for the day to ensure all student-athletes can get to the
polls to vote.
"Now more than ever, it is immensely important that all eligible Americans exercise their right to vote," said Reed. "As coaches and educators, it is our job to encourage participation in the political process since every vote makes a difference in our daily lives. We are thrilled with the success of our partnership with GU Politics, which has provided our student-athletes with the framework necessary to amplify their voices and increase their engagement in the political process."
The department initiative has spurred numerous videos, social media campaigns and even a voter registration drive reminding the student-athletes, coaches and fans the importance of making your voice heard within the political process. Athletics partnered with GU Votes on campus to get the information out and to share resources.
"Social media has played a significant role in SAAC's voting initiative," said Jessica Cusi, a junior on the volleyball team. "Overall, I think the posts and graphics are doing a great job of keeping student-athletes connected during this time, as well as motivating them to take part in this election."
While both the BIG EAST Conference and the NCAA have pushed voting initiatives, the Hoyas also set a lofty goal of 100% registration for eligible voters. With the numbers still rolling in, the department is nearing 90% with the hopes of hitting the mark on Election Day.
These initiatives have been supported by coaches and staff, but they have also been student driven with members of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) working to plan, execute and disseminate much of the information that has gone out.
"The SAAC voting initiative has really shown how much the student-athlete community at Georgetown care about ensuring that everyone uses their voice," said Maya Fernandez-Powell, a junior on the women's soccer team. "The number of teams where all players were registered to vote really speaks to the fact that Hoyas see voting as their civic responsibility."
With Election Day tomorrow, the push will not end when the final ballot has been cast. Much of this initiative has been to show how important the local and state-level races are and that student-athletes should not just vote every four years. As young adults, this is a chance for them to make a difference well beyond campus and within their own communities.
"One of the things I have been talking about with my guys is the importance of voting," said Head Men's Basketball Coach
Patrick Ewing. "We have emphasized the importance of having a voice in decisions that are made for you. A lot of people have given their lives for us to have this opportunity and we need to make sure we take advantage of it."
