Georgia Tech athletes get day off to vote on Election Day
FILE - In this Sept. 7, 2019, file photo, Georgia Tech head coach Geoff Collins reacts during the second half of an NCAA college football game against South Florida, in Atlanta. In the wake of nationwide protests over police brutality, Georgia Tech wants to make sure its athletes take time to vote in November. The school said Thursday, June 4, 2020, that nine teams, including football, will cancel all mandatory activities on the Nov. 3 to recognize the importance of casting a ballot. Geoff Collins was one of the first Power Five football coaches to express his support for those protesting the treatment of George Floyd, who died while in police custody in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Jon Barash, File)

FILE - In this Sept. 7, 2019, file photo, Georgia Tech head coach Geoff Collins reacts during the second half of an NCAA college football game against South Florida, in Atlanta. In the wake of nationwide protests over police brutality, Georgia Tech wants to make sure its athletes take time to vote in November. The school said Thursday, June 4, 2020, that nine teams, including football, will cancel all mandatory activities on the Nov. 3 to recognize the importance of casting a ballot. Geoff Collins was one of the first Power Five football coaches to express his support for those protesting the treatment of George Floyd, who died while in police custody in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Jon Barash, File)

Jun. 04, 2020 10:33 AM EDT
FILE - In this Jan. 25 2020, file photo, Georgia Tech head coach Josh Pastner calls a play in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against North Carolina State, in Atlanta. In the wake of nationwide protests over police brutality, Georgia Tech wants to make sure its athletes take time to vote in November. The school said Thursday, June 4, 2020, that nine teams will cancel all mandatory activities on the Nov. 3 to recognize the importance of casting a ballot. Pastner said George Floyd’s death has given everyone a chance to evaluate “the way we treat each other as human beings and what we can and should do to back up our words.”(AP Photo/Danny Karnik, File)

FILE - In this Jan. 25 2020, file photo, Georgia Tech head coach Josh Pastner calls a play in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against North Carolina State, in Atlanta. In the wake of nationwide protests over police brutality, Georgia Tech wants to make sure its athletes take time to vote in November. The school said Thursday, June 4, 2020, that nine teams will cancel all mandatory activities on the Nov. 3 to recognize the importance of casting a ballot. Pastner said George Floyd’s death has given everyone a chance to evaluate “the way we treat each other as human beings and what we can and should do to back up our words.”(AP Photo/Danny Karnik, File)

Jun. 04, 2020 10:44 AM EDT
FILE - In this Nov. 17, 2019, file photo, Georgia Tech coach Nell Fortner gestures during an NCAA college women's basketball game against Georgia, in Athens, Ga. Georgia Tech wants to make sure its athletes take time to vote in November. The school said Thursday, June 4, 2020, that nine teams will cancel all mandatory activities on the Nov. 3 to recognize the importance of casting a ballot. “I lead a group of strong, young women, student-athletes from all backgrounds and nationalities,” Fortner said. “To my African-American players and staff, I stand behind you and beside you as our nation continues to find its way for total equality for African-American people. On November 3, 2020, all of our voices can be heard and I will encourage my student-athletes to be heard.”(AP Photo/John Amis, File)

FILE - In this Nov. 17, 2019, file photo, Georgia Tech coach Nell Fortner gestures during an NCAA college women's basketball game against Georgia, in Athens, Ga. Georgia Tech wants to make sure its athletes take time to vote in November. The school said Thursday, June 4, 2020, that nine teams will cancel all mandatory activities on the Nov. 3 to recognize the importance of casting a ballot. “I lead a group of strong, young women, student-athletes from all backgrounds and nationalities,” Fortner said. “To my African-American players and staff, I stand behind you and beside you as our nation continues to find its way for total equality for African-American people. On November 3, 2020, all of our voices can be heard and I will encourage my student-athletes to be heard.”(AP Photo/John Amis, File)

Jun. 04, 2020 10:42 AM EDT