Houston Rockets forward Robert Covington is funding a new practice facility for the men’s and women’s basketball programs at his alma mater, Tennessee State University (TSU) in Nashville.
The total donation is approximately $1 million, according to Fox 17 Nashville. Construction is slated to begin in the spring of 2021.
See below for the official press release and photos from TSU:
“I love my alma mater,” Covington said. “I’m not donating a new practice facility for the recognition or because I NEED to — I am doing it because I truly WANT to. I know what the school didn’t have when I was here as a student and I want future generations of kids to have the best resources available to them, to build their futures both on and off the court. I want them to step on this campus and feel like their dreams can come true here, because mine really did.”
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Thursday’s ceremonial event began with a tribute video before school president Glenda Glover welcomed the attendees.
“We are extremely proud of Robert Covington’s success and are grateful for his contributions to the university,” Glover said. “Most importantly, his success on and off the court speaks volumes about the caliber of students TSU and other HBCUs [historically Black colleges and universities] produce. We thank him, his family and the Allergic To Failure Foundation for this generous gift.”
Mikki Allen, TSU director of athletics, had remarks and introduced Covington’s mom, Teresa Bryant, who serves as President of his foundation Allergic to Failure.
“As the Director of Athletics, I’m extremely gracious and thankful for Rob becoming a stakeholder in helping to change the national trajectory of our basketball programs,” Allen said. “The narrative is shifting in the landscape of college basketball recruiting in respect to HBCUs landing five-star talent. Through this historic gift, the Covington Pavilion will now undoubtedly put Tennessee State University in the mix.”
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Head men’s basketball coach Brian “Penny” Collins spoke before Covington took the stage. Collins spoke about Covington’s commitment.
“Rob has been a beacon of inspiration for our student-athletes since he left Tennessee State University,” Collins said.
“To have a practice facility for our men’s and women’s basketball programs will be a game changer,” the head coach added. “It also shows how serious we are on taking the next step in being an extremely competitive program in the OVC. Our players will be committed to making Rob proud. He has definitely set the bar for them to follow. Rob was already a legend and with this commitment he becomes iconic. His name and legacy will live on forever in the land of golden sunshine.”
During his remarks, Covington shared how Tennessee State has impacted his life and how special this moment was for him and his family.
“I made some of the best memories of my life at TSU,” Covington said. “Go to a bigger school? Nope. I wouldn’t change it for the world because the people who’ve had the most significant impact on my life, they wouldn’t be next to me today. It’s special to be at the forefront of something that can spark a major change as far as kids going to an HBCU and learning about black history, their culture and where they came from. Learning about your ancestors — you can’t always get that in the classroom. That’s a big thing, it’s very important.”
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While the road to fulfill his dream of playing in the NBA took a tremendous amount of work, Covington said it’s a path others at TSU can accomplish in any profession. “I had an experience very few professional athletes had,” Covington said. It was life changing. I’m a walking product of a kid that went to an HBCU and created a narrative for myself.”
“I feel like now is the time for change and progression all around,” he added. “I’m in a great place to give back to the place that shaped who I am — not only as an athlete but as a man. My family and I are excited to be able to do this and to break ground on Covington Pavilion today!”
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#Rockets forward Robert Covington (@Holla_At_Rob33) couldn’t be more proud of being able to give back to his alma mater, Tennessee State (@TSU_Tigers), where through his foundation, Allergic to Failure, he provided the funding for a new practice facility for men’s and women’s… pic.twitter.com/pAH57Ap6wG
— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) November 13, 2020
