Curry was inspired to help the school’s programs after a visit to Charleston, S.C., site of a deadly church shooting in 2015. A group of Howard students showed up to see Curry, and one called out that he’d like to get in a round with Curry. That didn’t happen, but the two did talk.
According to the Post story, the student had given up a college golf scholarship at another school just so he could attend Howard.
“To hear somebody as passionate about the game as I was, all the while still pursuing their education at Howard . . . impacted me,” Curry told the Washington Post.
The exact amount of Curry’s donation has not been made public. He only said that the number would be in the seven figures and would fund the programs for the next six years. During that time, the goal would be for Howard to create an endowed fund to keep the program going after the initial six years.
Previously, Howard competed at the Division II level. The new program will compete on the Division I level. The university now must hire a coach, recruit athletes and secure a course on which to play.
“No matter where you come from or what socioeconomic background you had, we all were that kid once upon a time that was just excited about finding out who they were as a person through athletics,” said Curry.
Callaway golf will provide equipment for the programs.
Excited to finally be able to share this incredible story. @StephenCurry30 is writing a seven figure check to reboot the men's and women's golf teams at Howard University for the next six years with @CallawayGolf as equipment provider: https://t.co/kPCqrKE6xD
— Chad Coleman (@HashtagChad) August 19, 2019
One option for a practice facility for the Howard programs is Langston Golf Course, where Curry gave the press conference about his donation. The course was featured last year in the Callaway original series “Golf Lives.”