AUBURN, Ala. – When Auburn University student-athletes enter the Wellness Kitchen for dinner, they'll have the opportunity to register to vote.
Throughout the summer, Auburn's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) met to discuss social unrest, determined to use their platform to improve their community. SAAC leaders decided to make voter education a primary initiative.
Auburn University political science associate professor Dr. Bridgett King, a former voting rights researcher, held informational sessions with SAAC leaders and Auburn student-athletes on the importance of voting.
With the support of Director of Athletics Allen Greene, senior staff and coaches, SAAC in collaboration with the SEC's voter education and participation program supports conversations to educate and facilitate participation of student-athletes, coaches and staff in local, state and federal elections.
SAAC will host three voter registration drives on Sept. 8, Sept. 22 and Oct. 5, encouraging all Auburn University students to register, along with athletics staff and coaches.
"It's super important that we do vote because we can make a huge difference in this community, or if we vote at home, we can make a difference at home as well," said SAAC president Allie Riddle, a junior on the gymnastics team. "We're trying to promote education on the voting process."
"We feel like student-athletes have a big platform they can use," said SAAC vice president Jacob Quattlebaum, a sophomore long snapper on the football team. "There are 25,000 students here. That's a big population whose voices haven't been heard. It's a way for student-athletes to express their voice."
SAAC has partnered with the League of Women Voters of East Alabama on a social media campaign to encourage students to register and vote.
"I am extremely proud to work with young people who are showing their interest and passion for social justice issues," said Janice Robinson, Auburn Athletics' director of student-athlete enhancement.
A voter resources page on the AuburnYOU website includes links to voting deadlines, registration and general information leading up to Election Day.
"The LWVEA created a social media campaign which the SAAC group has adopted and will provide videos of encouragement and support for voting," Robinson said.
"Our goal as a SAAC team is to walk people through step by step, not who they should vote for or how they should vote, but break down why they should vote, and the process of voting," Quattlebaum said.
Noting how student-athletes have been vocal in commenting on social justice issues, especially during the pandemic, Riddle encourages her peers to put their activism into action at the polls.
"Covid caused a lot of people to take a step back and look at what their priorities are and figure out what they want for their future and the future of this country," she said. "Posting on social media is great. It helps promote change, but permanent change comes at the polls."
Instead of engaging students on the concourse outside the Student Center like they would have prior to the coronavirus, SAAC leaders are using digital platforms to connect with Auburn students.
"Not having as much face-to-face interaction makes it a bit more challenging," said Riddle, who remains undaunted. "Student-athletes have taken a stand to what's been happening in the country lately. It's a good opportunity to exercise our civic responsibility."
Riddle studies in Auburn University's School of Nursing. Quattlebaum majors in electrical engineering in the Samuel Ginn College of Engineering. While balancing academics and athletics, they're also promoting participation in the democratic process.
"It's good timing and something I've always been super interested in and I have a passion for," Riddle said. "I am excited to be a part of it."
"Let your voice be heard," Quattlebaum said. "Make a difference, however that may be to you."
Auburn SAAC president Allie Riddle and vice president Jacob Quattlebaum are encouraging student-athletes to vote in November
Jeff Shearer is a Senior Writer at AuburnTigers.com. Follow him on Twitter: @jeff_shearer