On Dec. 12, former Army Black Knights running back Carlton Jones and former Navy Midshipmen middle linebacker Clint Bruce engaged in a conversation with CBS sportscaster Brad Nessler on the fierce competition, mutual respect and common bonds that are part of the annual Army-Navy football game.
The Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute’s Center on Civility and Democracy hosted this important event just two days before the 2024 game. The two former players discussed one of college football’s most storied rivalry games, as well as sportsmanship on and off the field.
Inspired by President Reagan’s willingness to work “across the aisle” with Democratic Speaker of the House Tip O'Neill and other leaders to achieve lasting and meaningful legislation, the organization’s Common Ground series seeks to draw on their example of productive, results-oriented cooperation despite ideological differences. The center, and so many in our nation, would like to see those days return to America.
The Bridge Alliance Education Fund (which publishes The Fulcrum) believes in the powerful connection between sport and democracy as a partner in the Engaged Athlete Fellowship program and was proud to have program leader Joe Kennedy attending last Thursday’s event.
Last fall the inaugural fellowship empowered student athletes from across the country to strengthen nonpartisan civic participation on their teams, on their campuses and in their broader communities.
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The fellowship program focuses on three areas:
- Providing a leadership and developmental curriculum developed by esteemed professors, coaches, professional athletes and civic leaders.
- Providing mentorship, support and a financial stipend for the athletes ‘personalized civic engagement or service project on campus or in their community.
- Participating in a multiday, all-expenses-paid summit in Washington, D.C., to meet other fellows, participate in workshops, network and present their work from the year.
The vision for The Team and the Engaged Athlete Fellowship was crafted by Kennedy, a former basketball player and coach who served as a special assistant for the Office of Public Engagement at the White House. In September 2022, Kennedy became the first executive director of The Teamand now serves as chairman.
In 2020, Kennedy connected with coach Eric Reveno to become a major force leading a new college athletics movement — All Vote No Play — to expand student athlete voter registration and create civic resources for coaches and teams. In 2021, they joined forces with civic futurists Lisa Kay Solomon from the Stanford d.School to design innovative civic strategies and groundbreaking curriculum for college athletics. An organic movement became a national organization.
The Team is working towards a future where all student athletes and athletic departments establish civic engagement as a priority, and the Engaged Athlete Fellowship can help make that dream a reality.
“More than 500,000 student athletes are largely overlooked by most traditional civics programs, and yet these athletes are often some of the most powerful voices and influential leaders on their campuses,” Kennedy said. “We are building energy around the importance of athletes, coaches, and administrators becoming more engaged citizens. We offer tools and resources to help them shape the future they want to create.”
The first year’s cohort of 25 fellows was inspiring as they used their time, energy and skills to help their community, state and country.
We’ll be reporting on year two’s cohort of 39 athletes in the coming months.
