Dear Michael Crow, Ray Anderson, and Jean Boyd:

We, as student-athletes of Arizona State University, were notified of the new COVID-19 vaccination practice instated by Sun Devil Athletics on January 11, 2022 that reads: “…in order to travel, all members of any travel party MUST be boosted.” Meaning, we—student-athletes of Arizona State University— are not permitted to travel to away competition if we choose to not receive the COVID-19 vaccination booster shot.

TO BE CLEAR AND UNDERSTOOD: WE ARE NOT NOT ANTI-VACCINATION OR ANTI- BOOSTER. We are not downplaying or denying the intended use and research behind the COVID-19 vaccination booster shot. We are simply asking for the freedom to make our own medical decisions regarding our personal health by exercising our First Amendment right to petition and voice our opinion. 

The question of concern is, where will the line be drawn for us student-athletes to stand up for our individual and personal medical beliefs? The line is drawn at yet another recommended vaccination shot. By making the decision to stand up for our personal medical beliefs, the decision to not receive the COVID-19 vaccination booster would severely compromise our athletic careers.

In a collective and respectful agreement amongst the athletes of various sports teams at Arizona State, we are voicing our stance to fight for the right to dictate what we decide goes into our bodies regarding the COVID-19 vaccination booster shot. We stand in support with those who have received the booster and are not discrediting the choices and decisions that individuals have made for their personal health beliefs. However, we also stand in support of those who do not wish to receive the COVID-19 vaccination booster. We understand that those who receive the COVID-19 vaccination booster and have intentions to receive the COVID-19 vaccination booster is a personal health decision, but we are asking for the same respect that the decision to not receive the COVID-19 vaccination booster is equally viewed as a personal health decision. We want to express that there should NOT be a forced decision to be made by us athletes that causes us to sacrifice the season and competition we come to Arizona State for. We feel as if the decision and freedom to dictate what we do with our bodies is no longer in our personal control due to this new practice.

Arizona State University has failed to instate additional practices that provide guidance for those traveling to the Arizona State campus for competition. In addition, this practice does not apply to regular students of the university. Regular students are granted the option to receive the booster/not receive the booster without being restricted from traveling to and from the university. 

We chose to continue our given sport at Arizona State University and it is not fair that we do not have the same freedom under vaccination protocols that other universities and institutions have instated. We understand that the new practice was made by putting our health and safety into consideration, but we believe we own the right to our personal decisions regarding our own view on our own personal health and safety— independent of ASU athletics. We want the freedom to make a decision that is best for our health and personal beliefs without forfeiting our participation in travel competition. We will continue to represent Arizona State University, but we want our voices to be heard and taken into serious consideration. Our opinion matters, just as much as our freedom does.

By creating this petition, we ask for support of our stance on wanting the freedom to decide whether or not we receive a COVID-19 vaccination booster. Regardless of vaccination/booster status and belief in the vaccination/booster effectiveness, we are asking for support in favor of our freedom of choice in the matter. By signing this petition, you agree that student-athletes should have the freedom to independently decide what is best for their personal medical needs without being restricted to only non travel competition. By signing this petition, you are showing your support for the student-athletes of Arizona State University and their desire to be able to control their personal medical beliefs.