CHICAGO – With the 2024 election approaching, Loyola University Chicago's student-athletes are set to be heard. By October 13, the Ramblers achieved 100 percent voter registration for all eligible student-athletes.
Loyola Athletics once again partnered Loyola Votes, a university-led initiative that helps drive civic engagement on campus and in the community by promoting voter registration and education ahead of federal, state and local elections. Student-athletes also reached 100 percent voter registration in preparation for the 2020 presidential election thanks to Loyola Votes.
This year the program partnered with Loyola's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) to connect with student-athletes and amplify their impact on campus.
"Being registered to vote empowers me as an individual to help decide which candidate will lead this nation. Doing my part to be registered to vote hopefully inspires other people within the Loyola community to do the same," said Loyola's SAAC president Matthew Andrusko of men's soccer.
Loyola Votes project managers, Amber McCormack and Sadie Walden, started planning the student-athlete voter registration campaign with academic advisor Joellen Hatchett as early as June, identifying that student-athletes are major student leaders on campus who also reach a broader audience all over Chicago.
"Students are excited about it, and there was a competitive nature of wanting to get everyone registered as quickly as possible. SAAC reps were determined to reach out to people who still needed to register and make sure they had the right information," said Hatchett.
The collaborative campaign between Loyola Votes and student-athletes was composed of several elements to achieve success. On media days, athletes wrote their "why" behind voting on small whiteboards and the photos were cross promoted on Loyola Votes' and Loyola Ramblers' social media pages.
Men's basketball head coach Drew Valentine contributed a powerful voter registration promotional video that was shared on social media and on the video boards at volleyball matches and during halftime on the men's and women's ESPN+ soccer streams.
By tabling at men's and women's soccer and women's volleyball matches, SAAC and Loyola Votes reached not only student-athletes, but also general students and community members, encouraging them to register, answering questions and offering materials on voter registration.
"Being a registered voter empowers young adults and college students by providing an outlet to find their voice. Having a stake in the outcome of an election increases one's knowledge, and knowledge is power," said SAAC representative Olivia Lovett of women's volleyball.
Loyola Votes operates under the university's Office of Civic Engagement & Government Affairs and is part of a national mandate from the 1998 Higher Education Act. Its impact extends to the student-athletes' own sense of purpose and the power to create change.
"Participating in elections is important because it allows individuals to influence policies and push for their beliefs that impact their lives and communities," said Gabe Smit of track and cross country. "Every vote matters and can lead to significant change; everyone's participation is vital to truly make a difference."
With their early achievement of 100 percent voter registration, the Ramblers continue to show that their drive extends beyond the court and the field. Loyola Votes not only empowers student-athletes but demonstrates the university's commitment to civic engagement and fostering a culture where every student's voice counts.
