MEDIA CONTACT: David Thompson, dlthompson@bowiestate.edu, 301-860-4311

“We are dedicated to providing resources and possibilities to students for higher education, especially in Prince George’s County,” said Wanda Durant, who leads the Durant Family Foundation. “Bowie State was the perfect place to make a meaningful impact.”

The foundation has committed $500,000 towards renovations of the basketball arena in the Leonidas S. James Physical Education Complex at BSU. Renovations will include installation of a new basketball court, expansion of seating capacity and upgrades to the press box area. The gift will also provide financial support for men’s and women’s basketball and university athletics programs. It also will establish a scholarship for Durant Center College Track students who attend BSU.

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Bowie State President Aminta Breaux expressed her gratitude for Durant’s generosity.

“We’re grateful for the resources that Kevin Durant and his family foundation have generously donated to Bowie State University to advance student success in achieving their academic goals,” said Breaux. “His contributions will go a long way towards updating our facilities and ensure a top-tier athletic experience for all of our students. The foundation has already built a network of community-centric services within the Durant Center in Prince George’s County that is exemplary.”

Durant’s donation to Bowie State is just the latest in the Seat Pleasant native’s philanthropic efforts in Prince George’s County. In 2019, Durant’s foundation partnered with College Track to establish College Track at the Durant Center in Suitland, MD, to help first-generation and low-income students pursue higher education.

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About Bowie State University
Bowie State University (BSU) is an important higher education access portal for qualified persons from diverse academic and socioeconomic backgrounds, seeking a high-quality and affordable public comprehensive university. The university places special emphasis on the science, technology, cybersecurity, teacher education, business and nursing disciplines within the context of a liberal arts education. For more information about BSU, visit bowiestate.edu.

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About the Durant Family Foundation
The Durant Family Foundation is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization founded in 2013 by Prince George’s County native Kevin Durant. The foundation’s mission is to enrich the lives of at-risk youth from low-income backgrounds through educational, athletic and social programs. The foundation supports youth athletics, organizations addressing youth homelessness, disaster & emergency relief efforts, renovates basketball courts across the world, and provides educational opportunities for low-income and first generation college students via our partnership with College Track. As of 2019, the Durant Center, based in Prince George’s County, has been the home for Durant Family Foundation charitable programs and community initiatives.

Jackson State athletic director Ashley Robinson had only to look down the hall to find his next football coach. On Tuesday, he named wide receivers coach T.C. Taylor, to be Deion Sanders’ successor.

Sanders, the Tigers ‘ coach for the past two seasons, announced Dec. 3 he had accepted an offer to become the coach at Colorado.

“It means everything to be named head coach,” Taylor said. “It means coming up as a kid being a fan in that (Veterans Memorial) stadium. It has been a dream of mine to be a coach here. But to be a head coach with some of the names that have been through here, W.C. Gorden, James Carson and Coach Prime (Sanders). Those are big shoes to fill, but I am excited.”

Taylor checks an important box for Robinson — he is an offensive-minded coach. He was an offensive coordinator for two seasons and coached wide receivers this season under Sanders.

“I am excited to announce T.C. Taylor as our next head coach,” Robinson said. “T.C.’s passion and love for Jackson State University is unquestioned. His fervent desire and hunger to lead his alma mater as head coach is unparalleled. His standard of excellence as a player as a JSU Tiger and his career trajectory as an assistant coach has prepared him for this opportunity.”

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“My recommendation goes to T.C.,” Sanders said. “They know how I feel about T.C. I want T.C., and several of the staff members here to be retained. I would not be here if it were not for this man.”

Taylor, a McComb native, played quarterback and wide receiver at JSU from 1998-2001.

In 19 games as a receiver, he caught 188 passes for 1,793 yards, setting the single-season school record with 84 receptions for 1,234 yards and 11 TDs as a senior. During his breakout season, he was named NCAA Division 1-AA third-team All-American while earning first-team Black College All-American honors. He was the runner-up for the 2001 Conerly Trophy, presented to Mississippi’s top college football player, behind Ole Miss quarterback Eli Manning.

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Taylor coached at Coahoma Community College in Clarksdale from 2005-11, starting as quarterbacks and wide receivers coach and spending the final six seasons as offensive coordinator.

Taylor served as wide receivers coach and recruiting coordinator at Texas Southern in 2012 and 2013. He then spent five seasons (2014-18) as quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator at NC Central. Under his tutelage, he coached 28 All-MEAC players and five All-Americans. Taylor helped guide the Eagles to three MEAC championships (2014, 2015, 2016) and in 2016 went unbeaten in conference play and qualified for the Air Force Reserve Celebration Bowl.

Taylor returned to Jackson State in 2019 on John Hendrick’s staff.

“Coach Taylor’s experience working with our student-athletes, along with his dedication to support and enhance his alma mater, is exactly what Jackson State University needs to continue to elevate the athletic prowess of our football program,” said JSU President Thomas K. Hudson, J.D. “I look forward to working with him as he continues to build on tradition and blaze new trails.”

In a bit of irony, Jackson State (12-0) will face the team he used to coach in NC Central (9-2) in the Celebration Bowl on Saturday (11 a.m., ABC).

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