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Keeping It 100: UNCG Athletics Accomplish Voter Registration Goal

SASS

Keeping It 100: UNCG Athletics Accomplish Voter Registration Goal

GREENSBORO, N.C. – Mission accomplished.
 
The UNC Greensboro (UNCG) athletics department achieved its goal of having 100 percent of its student-athletes who are eligible to vote from all 17 programs register for the Nov. 3 election.
 
It was the perfect ending to National Voter Registration Day for the Spartans.
 
This was a critical initiative for Spartan student-athletes because they understand the impact that their votes can make towards improving social injustices. The national Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) has encouraged student-athletes to exercise their right to vote has been stronger than ever especially during a tumultuous time in America. 
 
 Following the NCAA's lead, UNCG director of athletics Kim Record announced recently that there would be no athletically-related activities on Election Day. 
 
"I am proud of our student-athletes," Record said. "They understand their role as tomorrow's leaders. For many of them, this is their first opportunity to vote. They take this responsibility seriously. Many of our staff and coaches supported this initiative. I want to publicly thank Cole Henderson for leading this effort with passion and persistence."
 
Since returning to campus in August, several Spartan teams have created voting videos for social media. The women's soccer and women's basketball teams shared videos challenging their sport counterparts in the SoCon in a friendly competition to have 100 percent voter registration.
 
"Having 100 percent participation is rewarding as an athletics administrator working in the area of student-athlete development," Henderson said. "We are working with UNCG's Office of Leadership and Civic Engagement to host a Voting 101 workshop. Registering is just the first step. We are committed to maintaining the momentum until election day."
 
Men's basketball coaches Wes Miller of UNCG and Will Jones of North Carolina A&T State and the Spartan and Aggie teams partnered to produce a public service announcement to encourage voter participation. The Civil Rights Museum was a perfect backdrop to share a powerful message about the importance of voting.
 
Overall, 206 UNCG student-athletes are registered to vote.
 
UNCG's SAAC will encourage students to post photos on social media with their mail-in or absentee ballot sealed with the hashtag #letsgoVote.
 
"I am so proud of SAAC and the athletic department for reaching 100 percent voter registration," UNCG SAAC president Maria Esch said. "Voting for our elected officials, local and national, is the cornerstone of American democracy and is a great first step in orchestrating larger changes in our country. While so many are still unjustly unable to cast their ballots, I think it is so important that young people like us take to the polls and take action in our communities to make a change."
 
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