Congressman Carter Introduces PRIME Act

WASHINGTON, D.C. – With homecoming season fast approaching, Congressman Troy A. Carter, Sr. (D-La.) introduced thePerformance, Resources, Inclusion, Matters for Equity (PRIME) Act to improve athletics at Historically Black Universities and Colleges (HBCUs) and Junior Colleges (JUCOs). Sports have been an important part of HBCU culture since the beginning. From the first Howard homecoming football game in 1924 to the annual Bayou Classic, these events bring the Black community together from around the country. Despite their reputation as beacons of culture, the success of these teams is often thwarted by a lack of funding.

“Supporting athletic programs at HBCUs would attract talented student-athletes and sports administrators by offering them the best athletic and academic experiences possible,” said Rep. Carter. “In turn, HBCUs would generate more revenue to provide the support and resources that their students deserve. My PRIME Act is the first of many investments that underfunded institutions are severely lacking.”

While programs at Predominantly White Institutions (PWIs) like Louisiana State University (LSU) have athletic budgets of $192 million annually, right down the road, Southern University reported an $18.5 million budget in 2022. Larger budgets allow universities to fund state-of-the-art training facilities and hire talented coaching staff for their athletes. For example, Texas A&M’s Kyle Field is a $485 million facility, while Morehouse's Forbes Arena is only $8 million. HBCUs cannot compete with these programs given their current budgets. Talented student athletes often opt for PWIs when making their college decisions because of the difference in athletic program offerings.

Background

To attract and maintain talent, schools must have equitable funding for their athletic programs. The “PRIME” Act would provide this support in the form of grants to HBCUs and JUCOs with endowments lower than $900 million and an annual operating revenue for athletic programs that is less than $20 million, allowing like institutions to compete against one another for funding. These grants will be awarded by the Department of Education on a competitive basis and may be used to maintain athletic facilities and equipment as long as they are in accordance with NCAA guidelines.

The PRIME Act is cosponsored by Reps. Alma Adams (D-NC), James Clyburn (D-SC), Bennie Thompson (D-MS), Shelia Jackson Lee (D-TX), Yvette Clarke (D-NY), Hank Johnson (D-GA), Terri Sewell (D-AL), Donald Payne (D-NJ), Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ), Dwight Evans (D-PA), Donald Davis (D-NC), Glenn Ivey (D-MD), David Scott (D-GA), Jennifer McClellan (D-VA) and endorsed by the United Negro College Fund (UNCF) and the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF).

Full bill text for the PRIME Act can be found here.

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