‘Pressure has to be on politicians.’ Calipari, coaches embolden athletes to vote.
Of course, coaches lead a my-way-or-the-highway autocracy. But in this time of worldwide protests sparked by a video showing Minneapolis police killing George Floyd, coaches have been sounding absolutely democratic (small “d”).
On last week’s webinar sponsored by the National Association of Basketball Coaches, John Calipari spoke like a precinct captain.
“We’ve got to get every one of our kids to vote,” the Kentucky coach said. “Get them to sign up and vote. And we’ve got to get them to vote down the ballot.”
A minute or so later, Calipari cited voting as a reliable — and maybe only — means of bringing about movement toward a better world.
“If you want change, pressure has to be on politicians,” he said. “They will not change unless they feel pressure. And (the pressure should be) extended. That makes them uncomfortable. . . . If they’re not afraid of anything going on, they’re not moving.”
Calipari’s comments were part of a group effort. Last week the NABC formally recommended college coaches encourage their players to vote.
Former Oregon coach Ernie Kent, who now serves on the NABC Board of Directors, said Gonzaga Coach Mark Few inspired the recommendation when he announced that he wanted his players to vote.
Kent wants to expand the idea. He has suggested that coaches give teams every Election Day off in order to focus on voting. He also would like to see players volunteering to take voters to the polls.
It would all be non-partisan and voluntary, Kent said.
“I just don’t think marching and protesting is going to change things until you start changing legislation,” he said. “ And that could be anything from your state and local level to the (federal) government level. The way to do that is to vote.”
During the NABC webinar discussion with such coaches as Frank Martin (South Carolina), Kelvin Sampson (Houston), Ron Hunter (Tulane), Pat Chambers (Penn State) and Calipari, Kent went so far as to say voting was more important than the football and basketball seasons in the 2020-21 school year.
In a follow-up telephone conversation, Kent acknowledged the importance of revenue generated by football and basketball. “That’s a big deal,” he said.
“But what’s going on in our country is bigger than athletics, in my opinion. It’s bigger than sports because you’ve ignited a movement of young people across color lines that is searching, that is finding answers, that is voicing opinions in a peaceful way in a majority of cases.”
Kent said he accompanied his son to a protest in Portland, Ore. He called it an “amazing, amazing experience” of seeing a diverse crowd united in calling for change.
“Extremely peaceful,” he said. “Kids handing out water. ‘Do you need a mask? Are you OK?’ Taking care of each other. And just to witness that, it brings emotion to your heart.”
Kent foresees athletes bringing this increased engagement back to campus.
When asked about the feedback he’s received from the recommendation to encourage players to vote, Kent said, “The thing I’ve noticed with coaches is they are searching for what to do, and they’re looking for some sense of direction on what to do. . . .
“A lot of coaches are talking about doing things with their student-athletes, to march, to get them down to register to vote and things of that nature.”
UK football coach Mark Stoops — wearing a Black Lives Matter T-shirt — recently marched with some of his players.
Coaches have platforms, the more high-profile the program the more outreach is possible.
During the NABC webinar, Calipari and Chambers were singled out as being most capable of influencing social change because they are coaches for Kentucky and Penn State.
“You almost have an obligation to use that platform to help educate,” Kent said, “help bring people together, help move forward in all this because you do have a platform and a voice.”
Calipari said he has been encouraged by the protests uniting young, old, men, women, black and white in common cause.
“How do we harness this?” he asked. “I don’t know. I wish I knew. I’d run for something.”
Protest planned
Former UK players Erik Daniels and Ravi Moss plan a peaceful protest Saturday from 1 to 3 p.m.
Protesters will march from the Joe Craft Center parking lot to Rupp Arena and back.
“We will have great speakers at both locations,” Daniels wrote in an online post Monday night. “Everyone please come out and “support.”
