» Georgia Tech athletes get day off to vote on Election Day,

Tech teams won’t have mandatory activities Nov. 3.

Georgia Tech took a concrete step Thursday in its response to the social unrest caused by the death of George Floyd, as nine varsity teams pledged not to hold any mandatory activities on the Nov. 3 election day to encourage team members and staff to vote.

The nine are men’s and women’s basketball, football, volleyball, men’s swimming and diving, men’s and women’s tennis and men’s and women’s indoor track and field. The women’s swimming and diving team has a competition scheduled for Nov. 3 but is working to reschedule.

The plan to free the day for athletes to vote was hatched by men’s basketball associate head coach Eric Reveno following a Monday video conference call with the Yellow Jackets team in which players, coaches and staff met to share their thoughts sparked by Floyd’s death and the ensuing protests. The idea was championed by men’s coach Josh Pastner and women’s coach Nell Fortner. Reveno is aiming to get the NCAA to pass a similar measure.

“I am very proud of our student-athletes and coaches for identifying a great way that they can take action to make a difference in our communities and society,” Tech Athletic Director Todd Stansbury said in a statement. “As part of our mission of developing young people in all aspects of their lives, I feel that it is our responsibility to provide student-athletes with an environment that promotes civic duty.”

NCAA rules mandate that athletes have one day off per week during their playing seasons in which they are not required to take part in team-related activities including games, practices, team meetings and weightlifting sessions.

The football team will play Duke at home the following Saturday, Nov. 7. Last season, coach Geoff Collins normally gave the team Monday off. “My hope is that this will encourage our entire organization to participate in the most important part of citizenship in our democracy,” Collins said in a statement.

The volleyball team has two matches the following weekend and the swimming and diving teams have two meets scheduled for that week.

Statements from Tech coaches on Thursday included:

■“This is a time to come together and educate ourselves, learn and vote . ... We need to do better as a nation, and voting is one of the most powerful ways for our voices to be heard.” — volleyball coach Michelle Collier

■“In light of recent events, our team has had very real and meaningful conversations about how we can make a difference in our communities and in our nation. One of those ways is to take a day that we would normally dedicate to preparing for our upcoming game and, instead, taking Tuesday, November 3 off to ensure that our student-athletes and staff have the opportunity to exercise their right to vote.” — football coach Geoff Collins

■“As a track and field staff, we are fully supportive of the initiative to make sure our student-athletes have an opportunity to vote and have their voices heard on November 3. The opportunity to vote your conscience is one of our fundamental rights as citizens.” — women’s track and field coach Alan Drosky