Amid preparations for their upcoming season, three Portland Trail Blazers visited the Portland State campus on Oct. 5 in an effort to encourage students to register to vote in the upcoming election. Center Greg Oden, forward Channing Frye and rookie guard Jerryd Bayless all spoke to a sparse crowd of approximately 100 people in the Smith Memorial Student Union in an event hosted by Barack Obama’s Oregon Campaign for Change and the Portland State University College Democrats.
Campaign Blazers
Amid preparations for their upcoming season, three Portland Trail Blazers visited the Portland State campus on Oct. 5 in an effort to encourage students to register to vote in the upcoming election.
Center Greg Oden, forward Channing Frye and rookie guard Jerryd Bayless all spoke to a sparse crowd of approximately 100 people in the Smith Memorial Student Union in an event hosted by Barack Obama’s Oregon Campaign for Change and the Portland State University College Democrats.
Following their speeches, both Channing and Bayless filled out voter registration cards. All three of the players admitted that for one reason or another, this was the first election that they would be voting in.
“The biggest reason I think to get involved in this election process is to be a part of real change,” Frye said. “I am excited to one day tell my grand kids that I was a part of a vote that changed the way things are in America.”
While each of the players encouraged those in attendance to vote, they also had no reservations about giving their opinions of who will be getting their vote in the November election.
“We are not going to tell you who to vote for,” Oden said. “Actually we are: Barack. He’s a good dude to run the country and he makes me feel comfortable.”
The players stayed after the rally and answered questions, signed autographs and posed for pictures with members of the crowd.
It was perhaps a peculiar way to spend one of their few off days during the rigorous pre-season but each seemed glad they made the effort.
“I think we are all hoping for a change, and change is only going to come if we make an effort,” Bayless said. “This country needs a reason to hope for that change.”
Greg OdenCenterBirth date: Jan. 22, 1988Height: 7-0 College: Ohio StateYears pro: Rookie
“I have had an opportunity to talk with Barack before and he just makes me feel real good about what he could do. I am not sure why anyone would think otherwise after what we have gone through the last little while.”
“This is my first time voting and I am not that knowledgeable or experienced, but I don’t see myself voting for McCain.”
Jerryd BaylessGuardBirth date: Aug. 20, 1988Height: 6-3College: ArizonaYears pro: Rookie
“This election is the most important of all time; the state of the country is suffering and I definitely endorse Barack Obama. I believe in him. I think that anyone who has paid attention to what has happened the last two terms can see that it is time for our country to get back to the way it should.”
“When things don’t change, things will stay the same. If Obama doesn’t get elected most of the things that are happening in our country will stay the same and I don’t agree with that.”
“Portland is a really cool city. It rains a lot, but being here during this has been pretty cool. It’s cool to see people involved but this is something that needs to be happening everywhere.”
Channing FryePower forwardBirth date: May 17, 1983Height: 6-11 College: ArizonaYears Pro: 3
“I feel so many similarities with Obama that are very appealing. It is not just because he is African-American, although that is part of it. It’s also that he came from the middle class like I did, it’s that he plays basketball and seems like a pretty normal guy. Of course he is much smarter than a normal guy, and that’s good too. I just don’t see that from the other candidate.”
“It would be easy not to care. I mean, I was sitting at home watching football and enjoying the day off, and I halfway wanted to stay there just because of laziness. But it’s important to me that people know that we care, and hopefully persuade other people to have an interest in what’s going on as well.”
“Because of our status as basketball players, we are in that income bracket that would likely be affected and maybe our taxes would go up, but that is worth it because this is the best thing for the country right now.”
“I definitely don’t think that all of the members of the team are in total unison about who to support in the election, and usually we’re too tired after practices to argue about it, but we all know it is important.”
