DePaul University Athletics
Clarion Call to Action: Blue Demons 100 Percent Registered to Vote
10/15/2020 2:11:00 PM | ATHLETICS, MEN'S SOCCER, WOMEN'S BASKETBALL, WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL
DePaul first in the BIG EAST having every student-athlete on board for Nov. 3
CHICAGO – The sense of urgency is palpable all over these United States.
At touchpoints everywhere---on TV, social media and in day-to-day conversations---you encounter the mandate to vote.
Samuel L. Jackson, Jennifer Lopez, Madonna, Jane Fonda, Barack and Michelle Obama, LeBron James, Leonardo DiCaprio, Jennifer Lawrence, Taylor Swift and many others with a platform to be heard are beseeching us to get engaged with the most consequential election of our lifetime.
When the clarion call to action was sounded in Lincoln Park, the Blue Demons responded like it was crunch time with a BIG EAST title on the line.
On Wednesday afternoon, DePaul Athletics became the first school in the BIG EAST to have 100 percent of its student-athletes registered to vote.
That elicited a fist-pump from administrator Carolyn Lewis who coordinated the school's voter initiative. When the BIG EAST first unveiled its voter registration campaign challenging its member schools in a race to finish first, Lewis said: "This gets my competitive juices flowing. We want to be first and give new athletics director DeWayne Peevy his first BIG EAST title."
That all came to fruition just 24 hours ago.
"Congratulations on being the first school to reach the finish line." said BIG EAST Senior Director of Compliance Michael Sainte. "It is much appreciated.
"This past summer, the BIG EAST Conference SAAC made it a point to raise awareness around the importance of civic engagement. The impending census and presidential election provided opportunities to do just that.
"DePaul took this challenge and ran with it, empowering its student-athletes along the way. It was a total team effort, and I want to extend a huge thank-you to the DePaul Athletics family for their urgency."
Deja Church of women's basketball, Eddie Perry from men's soccer and volleyball front-liner Emma Price were among the Blue Demons at the forefront of this voter drive.
"We are the next generation up!" Church said emphatically. "We have a lot of resources our parents and grandparents never had. We are more experienced with social media and have an outlet where our voices can be heard by a lot more people in shorter time.
"This year, a lot of unfortunate events have taken place and we have lost so many lives due to racism and police brutality. We have seen Black Americans---men and women, young and old---be victims of police brutality.
"Personally, I know any of these people can be me. I don't have to be doing anything illegal as we have seen with Breonna Taylor. I can be asleep inside my home with my family or going for a jog like Ahmaud Arbery. I feel it is my duty to speak up and fight for justice for the ones we lost who never had that opportunity."
Perry is an active member of the USA Deaf Soccer Men's National Team and has a vested interest in Americans dealing with disabilities. His political acumen was honed even sharper watching his brother work in Senator Amy Klobuchar's presidential primary campaign.
"No matter who you support, I think people are tired of politics being so dramatic all the time," Perry said. "I think we need to remember that the government should exist to improve people's lives and stop the personal attacks.
"As a person with a disability, I am sick of hearing about access to healthcare like it is some abstract thing. It is very real for me. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is also very real for me and many other Americans.
"Although the ADA celebrated 30 years this past summer, it is a relatively short time in our history and there are many injustices that exist today for people with disabilities. Voting for candidates on Nov. 3 that support policies strengthening ADA is one way to promote equal opportunities. I plan on being more active on ADA issues and awareness in the future."
Why are young people rising up so passionately at this time in our history?
"Our generation has been active educating ourselves about issues and taking action as we become more aware of systematic racism and how it affects us and people we care about," Price said. "Social media has heightened our awareness of what is happening in the world and has played a large role in exposing what was ignored and continues to be ignored.
"These injustices are not a new occurrence---they have just been made more public through social media and technology."
Simply talking about and becoming aware of life-changing issues is not enough for these young people.
Realizing she would be away from home, Church requested her absentee ballot months ago and followed up by helping her teammates with the process.
Price and her teammates organized a social media group, a diversity and inclusion group and an alumni outreach group focusing on outreach for social and political awareness. They used the DePaul volleyball platform to send messages reaching large audiences as advocates for change.
"My grandpa used to tell us that 'talk is cheap,'" Perry said. "We have heard a lot of talk about racial justice from many 'adults' in the room, but not enough meaningful action. Young people are sick of being told to wait for change to happen. Young people want change to happen because their future and their lives depend on it.
"At the end of the day, politics is about having conversations. People avoid talking about politics because it is complicated. People often have strong opinions and are not interested in what anyone else has to say.
"I think you have to work through that, especially when the stakes are so high. It isn't easy because it requires really listening. Sometimes people are afraid they might hear something that could change how they see an issue, so they tune out."
Perry is all-in when it comes to making his case.
"In addition to giving presentations on being a deaf athlete and bringing awareness to hearing loss, I have also shared posts and stories on social media," he said. "People have responded well.
"For example, I shared the DePaul men's soccer post of our team being 100 percent registered and received more than a dozen messages about how people were proud of our team and what a difference our team is making. A lot of people are grateful for the reminder because they want to be engaged."
The Blue Demon defender enjoyed following a Minnesota senator's campaign during the Democratic primary season.
"Because my brother was working on the Amy Klobuchar campaign, I definitely was more engaged---especially in the presidential primary process," Perry said. "It was fun trying to spot him on TV in the background and everything.
"One of the most important things I learned from watching my brother during this election is how important it is for people of all ages and backgrounds to be engaged in the process and how much impact one person can have on our society.
"And, we can't just complain about not liking the laws and policies of our government and not be willing to be active in working to fix them. Again, complaining is just talk.
"At this point in my life, I don't see myself working in politics directly as a career. I do plan on volunteering for causes I care about like issues involving the Americans with Disabilities Act and will continue to engage with friends and family strongly encouraging them to vote."
College students have typically been dismissed as a voting bloc because of their inconsistent voting patterns. Will this year be different?
"Honestly, I never got the opportunity to vote in last year's election because I wasn't of age," Church said. "But this year will be different because every time we turn our heads, someone is preaching to us that we need to vote.
"Whether it's on social media, random voting texts or people we work with, a lot of people are really applying pressure to make sure we vote. I have already voted early, and people everywhere are still reminding us to vote.
"I know how important it is to vote. The NCAA is giving student-athletes a day off on Nov. 3 for that purpose. Sometimes we get too wrapped up in the media and let it convince us that our vote doesn't matter. But it does. We can be the difference-makers in this election."
Price reinforced that sentiment.
"I think it will be different this year because everyone seems to be more engaged in what is happening, and we realize there is more at stake this year than ever before," she said. "Many of us did not vote in the last election because we thought our vote wouldn't make a difference or we didn't fully understand the importance of voting.
"But I think after seeing the results from the last election, many students will have a stronger motivation to make a difference.
"November 3rd is a very significant date because the entire voting population of the country has the opportunity to voice how they feel about the misdirection and injustice that this country has experienced. Not voting is going against democracy because you are not playing a part in electing those who can bring about positive change."
Lewis is grateful for the staff at RISE, believing their session last week on The History and Significance of Voting played a role in getting those last few student-athletes registered. Lewis' collaborating with the university's Voter Engagement Working Group and DePaul coaches overwhelmingly buying into the campaign resulted in 100 percent success.
"There are so many HUGE issues facing our society today," Lewis said. "Knowing that every vote does count, whether at the national level or closer to home, is a driving force for this election. Even if one's choice of candidate doesn't win, there is an opportunity for greater civic engagement beyond the election.
"I am so proud of our student-athletes. They have been through so much these past several months, and knowing how they have come together for the greater good is inspirational."
At touchpoints everywhere---on TV, social media and in day-to-day conversations---you encounter the mandate to vote.
Samuel L. Jackson, Jennifer Lopez, Madonna, Jane Fonda, Barack and Michelle Obama, LeBron James, Leonardo DiCaprio, Jennifer Lawrence, Taylor Swift and many others with a platform to be heard are beseeching us to get engaged with the most consequential election of our lifetime.
When the clarion call to action was sounded in Lincoln Park, the Blue Demons responded like it was crunch time with a BIG EAST title on the line.
On Wednesday afternoon, DePaul Athletics became the first school in the BIG EAST to have 100 percent of its student-athletes registered to vote.
That elicited a fist-pump from administrator Carolyn Lewis who coordinated the school's voter initiative. When the BIG EAST first unveiled its voter registration campaign challenging its member schools in a race to finish first, Lewis said: "This gets my competitive juices flowing. We want to be first and give new athletics director DeWayne Peevy his first BIG EAST title."
That all came to fruition just 24 hours ago.
"Congratulations on being the first school to reach the finish line." said BIG EAST Senior Director of Compliance Michael Sainte. "It is much appreciated.
"This past summer, the BIG EAST Conference SAAC made it a point to raise awareness around the importance of civic engagement. The impending census and presidential election provided opportunities to do just that.
"DePaul took this challenge and ran with it, empowering its student-athletes along the way. It was a total team effort, and I want to extend a huge thank-you to the DePaul Athletics family for their urgency."
Deja Church of women's basketball, Eddie Perry from men's soccer and volleyball front-liner Emma Price were among the Blue Demons at the forefront of this voter drive.
"We are the next generation up!" Church said emphatically. "We have a lot of resources our parents and grandparents never had. We are more experienced with social media and have an outlet where our voices can be heard by a lot more people in shorter time.
"This year, a lot of unfortunate events have taken place and we have lost so many lives due to racism and police brutality. We have seen Black Americans---men and women, young and old---be victims of police brutality.
"Personally, I know any of these people can be me. I don't have to be doing anything illegal as we have seen with Breonna Taylor. I can be asleep inside my home with my family or going for a jog like Ahmaud Arbery. I feel it is my duty to speak up and fight for justice for the ones we lost who never had that opportunity."
Perry is an active member of the USA Deaf Soccer Men's National Team and has a vested interest in Americans dealing with disabilities. His political acumen was honed even sharper watching his brother work in Senator Amy Klobuchar's presidential primary campaign.
"No matter who you support, I think people are tired of politics being so dramatic all the time," Perry said. "I think we need to remember that the government should exist to improve people's lives and stop the personal attacks.
"As a person with a disability, I am sick of hearing about access to healthcare like it is some abstract thing. It is very real for me. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is also very real for me and many other Americans.
"Although the ADA celebrated 30 years this past summer, it is a relatively short time in our history and there are many injustices that exist today for people with disabilities. Voting for candidates on Nov. 3 that support policies strengthening ADA is one way to promote equal opportunities. I plan on being more active on ADA issues and awareness in the future."
Why are young people rising up so passionately at this time in our history?
"Our generation has been active educating ourselves about issues and taking action as we become more aware of systematic racism and how it affects us and people we care about," Price said. "Social media has heightened our awareness of what is happening in the world and has played a large role in exposing what was ignored and continues to be ignored.
"These injustices are not a new occurrence---they have just been made more public through social media and technology."
Simply talking about and becoming aware of life-changing issues is not enough for these young people.
Realizing she would be away from home, Church requested her absentee ballot months ago and followed up by helping her teammates with the process.
Price and her teammates organized a social media group, a diversity and inclusion group and an alumni outreach group focusing on outreach for social and political awareness. They used the DePaul volleyball platform to send messages reaching large audiences as advocates for change.
"My grandpa used to tell us that 'talk is cheap,'" Perry said. "We have heard a lot of talk about racial justice from many 'adults' in the room, but not enough meaningful action. Young people are sick of being told to wait for change to happen. Young people want change to happen because their future and their lives depend on it.
"At the end of the day, politics is about having conversations. People avoid talking about politics because it is complicated. People often have strong opinions and are not interested in what anyone else has to say.
"I think you have to work through that, especially when the stakes are so high. It isn't easy because it requires really listening. Sometimes people are afraid they might hear something that could change how they see an issue, so they tune out."
Perry is all-in when it comes to making his case.
"In addition to giving presentations on being a deaf athlete and bringing awareness to hearing loss, I have also shared posts and stories on social media," he said. "People have responded well.
"For example, I shared the DePaul men's soccer post of our team being 100 percent registered and received more than a dozen messages about how people were proud of our team and what a difference our team is making. A lot of people are grateful for the reminder because they want to be engaged."
The Blue Demon defender enjoyed following a Minnesota senator's campaign during the Democratic primary season.
"Because my brother was working on the Amy Klobuchar campaign, I definitely was more engaged---especially in the presidential primary process," Perry said. "It was fun trying to spot him on TV in the background and everything.
"One of the most important things I learned from watching my brother during this election is how important it is for people of all ages and backgrounds to be engaged in the process and how much impact one person can have on our society.
"And, we can't just complain about not liking the laws and policies of our government and not be willing to be active in working to fix them. Again, complaining is just talk.
"At this point in my life, I don't see myself working in politics directly as a career. I do plan on volunteering for causes I care about like issues involving the Americans with Disabilities Act and will continue to engage with friends and family strongly encouraging them to vote."
College students have typically been dismissed as a voting bloc because of their inconsistent voting patterns. Will this year be different?
"Honestly, I never got the opportunity to vote in last year's election because I wasn't of age," Church said. "But this year will be different because every time we turn our heads, someone is preaching to us that we need to vote.
"Whether it's on social media, random voting texts or people we work with, a lot of people are really applying pressure to make sure we vote. I have already voted early, and people everywhere are still reminding us to vote.
"I know how important it is to vote. The NCAA is giving student-athletes a day off on Nov. 3 for that purpose. Sometimes we get too wrapped up in the media and let it convince us that our vote doesn't matter. But it does. We can be the difference-makers in this election."
Price reinforced that sentiment.
"I think it will be different this year because everyone seems to be more engaged in what is happening, and we realize there is more at stake this year than ever before," she said. "Many of us did not vote in the last election because we thought our vote wouldn't make a difference or we didn't fully understand the importance of voting.
"But I think after seeing the results from the last election, many students will have a stronger motivation to make a difference.
"November 3rd is a very significant date because the entire voting population of the country has the opportunity to voice how they feel about the misdirection and injustice that this country has experienced. Not voting is going against democracy because you are not playing a part in electing those who can bring about positive change."
Lewis is grateful for the staff at RISE, believing their session last week on The History and Significance of Voting played a role in getting those last few student-athletes registered. Lewis' collaborating with the university's Voter Engagement Working Group and DePaul coaches overwhelmingly buying into the campaign resulted in 100 percent success.
"There are so many HUGE issues facing our society today," Lewis said. "Knowing that every vote does count, whether at the national level or closer to home, is a driving force for this election. Even if one's choice of candidate doesn't win, there is an opportunity for greater civic engagement beyond the election.
"I am so proud of our student-athletes. They have been through so much these past several months, and knowing how they have come together for the greater good is inspirational."
Players Mentioned
Episode 29: Kacy & Jenna
Thursday, November 13
Blue Demon Room Podcast Episode 17: Rachel Wilhelm and Noreen Vlamakis, Rush Physical Therapy
Wednesday, March 19
Episode 11: DeWayne Peevy, Vice President/Director of Athletics
Wednesday, December 18
Blue Demon Breakdown - Oct. 16
Wednesday, October 16