Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank has been a long-time supporter of HBCUs, and his foundation has invested money into helping four of them improve their training facilities.
The Arthur Blank Family Foundation has announced a $6.5 million gift. This generous grant underscores the foundation’s ongoing support for HBCUs and their vital role in fostering educational and athletic excellence.
The funding will be distributed across four institutions: Albany State University in Albany, Georgia; Clark Atlanta University in Atlanta; Miles College in Fairfield, Alabama; and Savannah State University in Savannah, Georgia. These enhancements will provide top-tier facilities that support the development of student-athletes and strengthen the athletic programs at each school.
All four of the institutions compete in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, made up of Division II programs from South Carolina to Alabama.
Albany State University has used the grant to convert its natural grass football and soccer field at Albany State University Coliseum to blue turf, offering a modernized playing surface. Clark Atlanta University, located in the heart of Atlanta, replaced the aging turf at Panther Stadium, enhancing the home field for its football team with a red surface. In Alabama, Miles College will convert the natural grass at its practice facility to turf, allowing for better training conditions. Savannah State University is replacing the turf at Ted Wright Stadium, ensuring its football and soccer teams compete on a state-of-the-art field.
The Atlanta Falcons, whose owner Arthur M. Blank has long been a supporter of HBCUs, have expressed pride in the foundation’s commitment to these institutions. This investment is expected to have a lasting impact, not only on the athletic programs but also on the broader campus communities.