NCAA: Student-Athletes Will Be Off On Election Day

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The NCAA has announced November 3, Election Day, will be an off day for student-athletes and that no athletic activities will take place on that day. The NCAA would like for the student-athletes to “participate in their ultimate responsibility as citizens” and take the time to vote that day.

Here’s the full release:

President Mark Emmert and the NCAA Board of Governors recognize the important role social engagement has on driving positive societal change. The recent demonstrations following the tragic killing of George Floyd showed the world the power of protest and student-athletes across the country were at the center of that movement. We commend NCAA student-athletes who recognized the need for change and took action though safe and peaceful protest. We encourage students to continue to make their voices heard on these important issues, engage in community activism and exercise their Constitutional rights. Further, we encourage all member schools to assist students in registering to vote in the upcoming national election and designate November 3, 2020 as a day off from athletics activity so athletes can vote and participate in their ultimate responsibility as citizens.

Coaches across the country have been pushing their athletes to get registered to vote and now the NCAA has stepped up to say student-athletes will have plenty of time on November 3 to exercise that right. LSU head coach Ed Orgeron pushed his entire team to get registered. Georgia Tech basketball coach Josh Pastner was already planning to give his team November 3 off before the NCAA instituted its new policy.

Coach O listened and the team came to a conclusion that registering was one step to take.

“One of the solutions they came up with as a group, to represent the team, is that we are all going to register to vote,” Orgeron said. “All of our players will be checking in today and we’re going to register to vote online.”

Written by Joe Kinsey

Joe Kinsey is the Senior Director of Content of OutKick and the editor of the Morning Screencaps column that examines a variety of stories taking place in real America.

Kinsey is also the founder of OutKick’s Thursday Night Mowing League, America’s largest virtual mowing league.

Kinsey graduated from University of Toledo.