The NCAA has released a statement on student-athletes’ involvement in the protests and public events following the deaths of George Floyd and others. President Mark Emmert and the NCAA Board of Governors commended the athletes’ activism and also offered a recommendation for how schools should handle 2020 Election Day:

President Mark Emmert and the NCAA Board of Governors recognize the important role social engagement has on driving positive societal change. The recent demonstrations following the tragic killing of George Floyd showed the world the power of protest and student-athletes across the country were at the center of that movement. We commend NCAA student-athletes who recognized the need for change and took action though safe and peaceful protest. We encourage students to continue to make their voices heard on these important issues, engage in community activism and exercise their Constitutional rights. Further, we encourage all member schools to assist students in registering to vote in the upcoming national election and designate November 3, 2020 as a day off from athletics activity so athletes can vote and participate in their ultimate responsibility as citizens.

It will be interesting to see how SEC programs handle that week’s practice schedule with the NCAA’s official “encouragement” of an off day for Nov. 3. This month multiple college football coaches, including LSU’s Ed Orgeron and Missouri’s Eliah Drinkwitz, have had their players register to vote ahead of this year’s election. Early voting and absentee voting, which vary by state, could help to avoid interruptions to the Tuesday practice schedule.