Covington Giving Back @ TSU

Editor: The following is part of a press release from tsutigers.com.

(Nashville, TN) – Tennessee State University men’s basketball alumnus and NBA star Robert Covington announced his plan to fund a practice facility for the men’s and women’s basketball programs at TSU.

Covington made the announcement today during a press conference.

“I love my alma mater, 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.”

Covington’s mom Ms. Teresa Bryant serves as President of his foundation Allergic to Failure.

Head men’s basketball coach Brian “Penny” Collins spoke before Covington took the stage. Collins talked about Covington’s commitment to the program.

“Rob has been a beacon of inspiration for our student-athletes since he left Tennessee State University,” said Coach Collins. “To have a practice facility for our men’s and women’s basketball programs will be a game changer. 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 talked about 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. 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.”

While the road to fulfill his dream of playing in the NBA took a tremendous amount of work, the small forward said it’s a path others at TSU can accomplish in any profession.

“I had an experience very few professional athletes had. It was life changing. I’m a walking product of a kid that went to an HBCU and created a narrative for myself. My family and I are excited to be able to do this and to break ground on Covington Pavilion today!”

Construction is slated to begin spring 2021.