Garbarino Introduces USMMA Athletics Act

WASHINGTON, D.C. - This week, Congressman Andrew R. Garbarino (R-NY-02) introduced H.R. 6961, the USMMA Athletics Act, legislation to modernize and strengthen athletic programs at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA) and ensure the academy can operate on equal footing with other federal service academies.

USMMA fields 17 NCAA Division III varsity teams with broad participation from midshipmen, but its status as a federal entity limits its ability to receive NCAA funding, charge for tickets, or enter into standard athletic and licensing agreements. The legislation would create a nonprofit organization to support USMMA athletics, bringing the Academy in line with institutions such as the Military Academy, the Naval Academy, and the Air Force Academy.

"We appreciate Rep. Andrew Garbarino's continued leadership and advocacy on behalf of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy and its Midshipmen. He has been a steadfast champion for USMMA, and we are grateful for his consistent dedication to the Academy and its mission. We especially commend his strong support for the Campus Modernization Plan, which is essential to revitalizing the Academy's 80-year-old infrastructure and ensuring USMMA can continue to train the merchant mariners and US Navy Strategic Sealift Officers our nation depends on," said Capt. James F. Tobin, President and CEO of the USMMA Alumni Association & Foundation, Inc. "This investment in core infrastructure is the single most important priority for the Academy's long-term future. The Alumni Association and Foundation have a long history of supporting midshipmen athletics and would welcome any additional funding streams that may result from this legislation."

"The U.S. Merchant Marine Academy is a critical national asset, and its midshipmen serve our country both in uniform and on the field," said Garbarino. "This bill gives the Academy the tools it needs to fully support its student-athletes and help ensure USMMA remains strong for generations to come."

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