Courtesy: Northwestern Athletics
EVANSTON, Illinois – Northwestern will have no required athletic activities on Election Day, Tuesday, November 3, Combe Family Vice President for Athletics & Recreation Jim Phillips shared with 529 Wildcats student-athletes today during a virtual dialogue with Atlanta Hawks head coach Lloyd Pierce to kick off the new academic year.
“In conversation with students, coaches and staff throughout the summer, this was a clear, immediate step we could take to empower our student-athletes in raising their voices,” said Phillips. “All our Wildcats can be leaders in the way they use their right to vote, and in how they model civic responsibility for their peers. This is an important way we can make sure nothing stands in their way as we work together to create a better future for all.”
“Dr. Philips, our coaches, and the Big Ten Conference are giving us all the time and resources to ensure we can be educated voters, and that our voices and opinions are heard,” said Northwestern lacrosse graduate student and member of the Wildcats Civic Engagement & Voter Registration Team, Lindsey McKone. “Now it’s in our hands to vote, either in-person or through a mail-in ballot, and contribute in other ways such as volunteering as a poll worker if able.”
The Department of Athletics & Recreation is collaborating with Northwestern’s Center for Civic Engagement to ensure all student-athletes have the resources and support to register to vote. In June, the Big Ten Conference launched a Voter Registration Initiative, a Conference-wide collaboration that encourages student-athletes to take part in the electoral process. Monthly educational programming began in July and will continue through November 3, designed to inform and educate student-athletes on the importance of civic engagement, and how to register to vote and submit a ballot, in person or absentee.
Vote the menace out
You can’t vote the menace out, Ruth Bader Ginsburg is not an elected official.
Wtf
You could vote Pelosi out though.
#4MOREYEARS
How about we teach our students civics before “empowering them to raise their voices” and engage in them. Maybe I’m just too old-fashioned
They don’t teach them civics. Are you old fashion that 18 year olds can serve in the military but not have a voice in real life?
They don’t teach them civics?
Before they let them serve in the military they train them.
Well, we apparently haven’t taught civics to lots of older people, even Presidents.
We did apparently teach him how to negotiate a peace treaty that Presidents before him failed to secure since the 50’s.
Well, in addition to the Bay of Pigs Award, he’ll surely win the “Noble” peace prize. Then when you leave the Palestinians out of the equation, it sure ain’t going to be a peace treaty. C’mon — it’s not like the UAE and Bahrain were in open conflict with Israel. It’s like a peace treaty between the U.S. and Canada.
LOL. You think he actually had a part in that other than posing for a picture? Someone has Trump Derangement Syndrome Big Time.
I don’t know about what your school was like, but I took a political science class in high school and another in college. I also took an economics class in high school. Most history classes are the foundation of civics educations too.
It’s called nuance…based on your and few others’ responses I think ya kinda “get it”
To be clear, my point is that we should be encouraging the youth of our country to acquire more knowledge, not simply “speak out” in ignorance.
You imply they should not be allowed to vote, which is despicable and could be construed as advocating voter suppression. Northwestern is a very selective school. I’d guarantee the average freshman at NU knows far more about “civics” than the average American. That said, one person one vote. Every eligible American has a right to vote.
Incorrect. I imply that we should exercise our rights prudently.
Unfortunately I feel that this is a virtue that is becoming increasingly scarce in our country.
That said, it was rather imprudent of you to conclude that I was advocating voter suppression without further examination of my opinion on this matter.😉😛…ya know I had to take a jab!
Braden, that’s why you’re the bomb.
Why do that when they have liberal professors, athletes and Hollywood types telling them how and who to vote for? Surely they are well informed and they you always have twitter to fall back on for information.
True, they could just turn on State TV. You’re going to have a terrible November.
You could benefit from a little learning. Most educated people know that your family is your direct influence on long-term thinking and decision making. Someone here (shhhhh, it’s you) seems a little insecure with other people.
I think many schools are doing this….great idea….or put election on a Sunday
Judging by their record in sports, Northwestern already has many off days…
No, though they do emphasize the ‘student’ part of student-athlete. NU consistently has one of the highest, if not the highest graduation rate in the country for athletes. This, while still fielding competitive teams in many sports, including swimming.