USC Student-Athletes Will Not Have Athletic Activities On Election Day
August 20, 2020 | USC Athletics
LOS ANGELES — USC student-athletes will be given the day off from all athletic activities on Election Day (Tuesday, Nov. 3) so they can exercise their Constitutional right to vote, Trojan athletic director Mike Bohn announced today.
The impetus for the action came from USC's United Black Student-Athlete Association, Trojan Athletic Senate and the USC Athletics Black Lives Matter Action Team and advisory committee.
"Through the outstanding work of the USC Athletics Black Lives Matter Action Team, consistent dialogue with the United Black Student-Athletes Association and deeper engagement with the Trojan Athletic Senate, we have collectively decided to fully embrace this voting initiative," said Bohn. "We've been so inspired by the many ways in which our student-athletes have found their voice these past several months and we know how critical exercising our right to vote is to amplifying that voice. I'm also thrilled that our entire program can follow the lead of our women's basketball program and their effort to register the entire team to vote."
Following nationwide protests over racial injustice and police brutality sparked by the George Floyd killing, the NCAA encouraged member schools to give student-athletes Election Day off so they can vote.
USC's UBSAA, which was formed following the Floyd protests, listed among its mid-June requests to Bohn that there be no required athletic-related activities for Trojan student-athletes on election days so they can exercise their voting rights as a means of creating positive change locally and nationally.
"This is an important step towards allowing the student-athletes to be more than athletes, but to also be an important part of society," said USC senior hurdler Anna Cockrell, the defending NCAA champion in the 400-meter hurdles and co-founder of the UBSAA. "By making this commitment, USC is recognizing the importance of our rights and our civic duty as voters."
Added USC senior infielder-outfielder John Thomas, an executive member of TAS: "USC's Athletic Department is once again taking great initiative in listening to its student-athletes. Specifically its Black student-athletes from UBSAA. Change in this country is long overdue and it is important that we recognize the power and voice we have in being able to vote."
Earlier this month, all 13 members of the USC women's basketball team registered to vote.
"It is important that our whole team is registered to vote this year because we know that all of our voices can make a difference," said USC junior guard and captain Desiree Caldwell. "It's just about putting ourselves in a position to be heard. Now we can all do our part in influencing change in this country."
Challenge ACCEPTED!! đŸ’¯ #FightOn https://t.co/LF92jb5U64
— USC Men's Basketball (@USC_Hoops) August 18, 2020
