Men's Basketball Joins Nationwide Watch Party With Former NBA & WNBA Stars

 

 11/2/26

 

 

On October 29^th, MCCC Men’s Basketball took part in a nationwide event for student athletes with the focus on civic engagement.  The event was led by The TEAM, which is an nonpartisan organization focused on civic engagement.  The TEAM is made up of a selected cohort of student athlete fellows who work with mentors, coaches and professional athletes to build engaged citizens and community members.  The October 29^th event was a webinar that featured former NBA and WNBA stars who answered questions from current collegiate student athletes.  Tamika Catchings, Swin Cash, Chris Webber and Chris Paul each shared insight about the platform athletes have to serve as ambassadors for civic engagement.

 

The TEAM organized this webinar with watch parties across the country a week before the 2026 election.  The organization encourages student athletes to vote and show up as citizens.  The organization is making Tuesday, November 3^rd, which is Election Day, No Play Day, so that players have the opportunity to get to the polls and vote. TEAM is an engagement fellowship.  They found that 75% of all student athletes want more civic engagement and voter participation.  This October webinar was aimed at addressing these topics.

 

Former WNBA, Olympic and collegiate women’s basketball star Tamika Catchings spoke first.  Catchings discussed youth empowerment and how student athletes can advocate, use social media, and find an avenue to create change.  Catchings said “Be where your feet are in the community you serve. On the court, coaches always talk about where your feet are and this concept can be applied to everything you do, including what you do in the community.  “Do your research on the candidates, find access to vote, get teammates out to the polls with you.”

 

Former WNBA and UConn star Swin Cash spoke next.  “Sports is a vehicle to further yourself and your career.  You have a voice and a platform to care about someone or something bigger than yourself.”  Cash discussed advocacy and taking a stand for social changes and that here is strength in numbers.  Cash shared that one of the things that makes Hall of Fame UConn Women’s Basketball Coach Geno Auriemma so successful is that he knows how to push players buttons but in a way that motivates them to be better, something Cash took with her not just on the court, but off it as well. “Find what motivates you and push that button.”  Cash also discussed how lessons from playing sports can be carried over to all areas of life including going out to vote.  “We’ve all dreamed about the applause or hitting a game-winning shot.  Take that sports mentality into the voting booth.  Take control and go out and vote.  If you want to make a change, go to the polls.  It’s a game, hit that winning shot and go to the polls.”

 

Former NBA and Fab Five star Chris Webber spoke next.  Webber discussed the many similarities between sports and life.  “In sports we learn life lessons: how to make sacrifices to be better, how to work hard, how to put in extra time to be the best we can be.  We learn discipline and sports sets up a model or template of success for us.  We learn to hold our self accountable for our effort.  Prove yourself when no one is watching." Webber also shared the importance of taking care of your mental health.  “Ask for help.  Don’t overthink.  Look for mentors.  Why wait when someone can give you advice.”  Another important thing Webber discussed was the role of athletes in activism.  “Impact is not in how many Instagram followers you have.  It’s talking to others about your unique story.  Be authentic and true to your identity.  Celebrate what you have overcome.  Your words can be inspiring.”  Webber ended his talk with how each student athlete can bring awareness and make a change.  “Exercise your right.  Everyone can be a team captain.  Hold each other accountable.  Don’t be intimidated.  Go have an impact on your team and on your community.”

 

The final speaker of the night was former NBA All-Star and Olympian Chris Paul.  Paul focused his message on getting out to vote.  “Showing up is half the battle.  You need to show up every day no matter the outcome.  The work doesn’t stop when the game ends.  Pushing yourself every day matters.  It’s not about who you vote for, but making the effort.”  Paul ended by saying “You don’t have to choose between being an athlete and an engaged citizen.  The final whistle doesn’t end your impact.”

 

Head Men’s Basketball Coach Howard Levy held a watch party for his team to watch the webinar in preparation for this Tuesday’s election. The chance to listen to former WNBA and NBA stars discuss the importance of the platform athletes have was a unique an interesting opportunity for Mercer’s men’s team.  And an important opportunity as well.

 

For more on MCCC men’s basketball visit: https://www.mccc.edu/athletics_men_basketball.shtml