UA Elevates the Game to Reach More HBCU Student Athletes Off the Court, Uplift Vision of Black Teammates and Voices of Community Partners

Paving the way for a larger impact, UA is empowering athletes to strive for more, elevating its work and partnerships to support Black student-athletes both on and off the court.  

 

“I have always been a leader by example,” said Trace Young, a Jackson State University Men’s Basketball athlete featured in UA’s Be Seen, Be Heard, Be Celebrated campaign celebrating Black History Month. “I want to use my platform to physically show athletes what’s possible regardless of your circumstances. I want youth and other athletes to say, “I can do it too, becuase I’m just like him and look what he’s doing.” Being at an HBCU makes me feel seen, heard and celebrated. The family atmosphere you experience daily leaves you with a feeling of inclusion you can’t experience anywhere else.”

 

Jariyah Covington, a JSU athlete also featured in the campaign added, “Basketball is what makes me feel seen. Being a part of the women’s basketball team has made me feel seen because of the support the community and school has shown us.”

 

In 2022, Under Armour committed to raising the game and deepening its relationships with HBCU partners like Jackson State University, starting with our hometown squad – Morgan State University, a premier HBCU. 

 

Building on the success of last year’s inaugural Career Combine at Morgan State University, the three-day virtual program that provides education and networking opportunities for students interested in the sporting goods and apparel industry will be extended to all UA HBCU partners and all 12 Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) schools in 2023. This year’s participants will learn from top UA talent in fashion, design, retail, and business and receive guidance on building critical leadership skills to support their career journey. 

 

“Using the Morgan State University partnership as a blueprint, we can make an even larger impact on the field, in the classroom, and on the job in 2023,” said Tchernavia Rocker, Chief People, and Administrative Officer. “As an HBCU graduate myself, I feel it’s critical that we continue to invest in HBCU talent and introduce student-athletes to a range of career possibilities beyond the court, which ultimately can improve the diversity of our talent.” 

 

“Talent is at HBCUs,” said Ken Evans Jr., Men’s Basketball Guard at JSU. “Having the platform to highlight Jackson State University and other HBCUs can bring incredible opportunities to students like me, as well as the people who look like me and maybe haven’t felt seen in college or collegiate sports.”