THE FLATS – Georgia Tech has been selected as the winner of the 2021 Community Service Award for its #AllVoteNoPlay initiative, the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) and the Fiesta Bowl announced on Tuesday.
In its fifth year, the award recognizes Division I NACDA member institutions for their outstanding community service efforts. A five-person committee consisting of athletics directors across the country and representatives from the Fiesta Bowl and NACDA aided in the selection process to honor athletics departments that make volunteerism and community service a way of life. Georgia Tech will receive a trophy from the Fiesta Bowl for permanent display.
The award will be presented by NACDA and the Fiesta Bowl on Saturday, Nov. 13 during Tech’s football game against Boston College.
“We talk often at Georgia Tech about how the power of sport gives us a platform to impact our communities,” said director of athletics Todd Stansbury. “I am proud of our student-athletes, coaches and staff that used their platforms to promote citizenship and encourage everyone to take part in their most sacred civic duty as Americans – the right to vote. I congratulate our amazing student-athletes, coaches and staff for receiving this tremendous honor and thank the Fiesta Bowl and NACDA for recognizing their efforts.”
Buzz to the Ballot
Nov. 3, 2020
Georgia Tech is being recognized for its #AllVoteNoPlay initiative that launched a national campaign last summer. An idea that emerged from a men’s basketball virtual team call championed NCAA legislation by petitioning for Federal Election Day on Nov. 3, 2020, as a day off from all athletics activities, therefore allowing student-athletes and staff time to practice their civic right to vote.
Spearheaded by men’s basketball student-athlete Malachi Rice and associate head coach Eric Reveno, the #AllVoteNoPlay initiative was immediately supported by Georgia Tech head coaches and staff, and quickly gained national support. Reveno, who ultimately desired to increase civic engagement and education among student-athletes and increase voter participation in the 18-24-year-old population, partnered with NABC and ALL IN to create the voters engagement pledge. More than 1,100 men’s basketball coaches from all divisions and levels signed the pledge, which also aided over 5,000 student-athletes in registering to vote.
Georgia Tech’s 2020 Student-Athlete Advisory Board President and baseball student-athlete, Hugh Chapman, helped take the idea to the NCAA Division I Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) chair to formalize the campaign and legislation. With the aid of Chapman and NCAA SAAC, the legislation was passed, declaring the first Tuesday after Nov. 1 every year as a day free from countable athletically related activities.
“College student-athletes are increasingly making community service a meaningful part of their overall experience and that’s exciting to see. Georgia Tech’s program started in Atlanta, branched out nationally and was impressive in its scope to bring the importance of voting to light,” said Fiesta Bowl Executive Director Mike Nealy. “Todd Stansbury and the entire Georgia Tech Athletics family continue to contribute within their community on and off the field at the highest levels.”
“We are proud to recognize Todd Stansbury and the entire Georgia Tech athletics department for their important work as part of their national #AllVoteNoPlay campaign,” said NACDA Chief Executive Officer Bob Vecchione. “The 2020-21 academic year was difficult to navigate for many reasons, and through the efforts spearheaded by Malachi Rice and Coach Reveno, student-athletes across the country were able to find their voice and use their platform in positive ways.”
Georgia Tech is the second Atlantic Coast Conference program to receive the Community Service Award as Boston College took the honor in 2019. Tech also joins Vanderbilt, Southern California and Maryland as recipients of the prestigious award.
Alexander-Tharpe Fund
The Alexander-Tharpe Fund is the fundraising arm of Georgia Tech athletics, providing scholarship, operations and facilities support for Georgia Tech’s 400-plus student-athletes. Be a part of developing Georgia Tech’s Everyday Champions and helping the Yellow Jackets compete for championships at the highest levels of college athletics by supporting the Annual Athletic Scholarship Fund, which directly provides scholarships for Georgia Tech student-athletes. To learn more about supporting the Yellow Jackets, visit atfund.org.
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