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NCAA Approves Legislation for Civic Engagement on Election Day

The NCAA Division I council has approved legislation that would prohibit practices, competitions, and other athletics-related activities on the upcoming Election Day on November 3. In addition, the legislation also states that every year athletes will have the first Tuesday after November 1 off.

This is all in an effort to encourage athletes to participate in civic engagement activities, which include, but are not limited to community service and voting.

The legislation was proposed by the Division I Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC). It is part of SAAC’s 2020-21 goal to increase diversity and inclusion awareness and education through civic engagement. It also part of the organization’s mission to give student-athletes more of a voice, and to support student athletes’ mental health and overall well-being.

M. Grace Calhoun, the Athletics Director at the University of Pennsylvania, stated the following of the new legislation: “the Council unanimously supports this important piece of legislation. Coming from Division I SAAC, we know it represents the voice of student-athletes across the country who continue to express a desire to increase their civic engagement at local, state and federal levels. We look forward to seeing student-athletes use this opportunity as a way to create positive change.”

Purdue and Northwestern are two schools that have already put this legislation into effect, having recently announced that they will be giving athletes the day off on Election Day this year.

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M Palota
4 years ago

It is so bizarre watching Americans arguing about whether to make voting easy or not…

Capable athletes
4 years ago

Athletes are able to handle time management — this is one of the skills we learn as athletes. Stop treating us as if we are incapable of managing our daily lives. I find this very insulting.

Bookit
Reply to  Braden Keith
4 years ago

What athletes? All sports? All schools?

Scoobysnak
4 years ago

Election Day should be a holiday. Full stop.

Bookit
Reply to  Scoobysnak
4 years ago

Voting takes 5 minutes. Really think that requires a holiday.

About Braden Keith

Braden Keith

Braden Keith is the Editor-in-Chief and a co-founder/co-owner of SwimSwam.com. He first got his feet wet by building The Swimmers' Circle beginning in January 2010, and now comes to SwimSwam to use that experience and help build a new leader in the sport of swimming. Aside from his life on the InterWet, …

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