CLEVELAND (July 13, 2020) – Maryland men's basketball coach Mark Turgeon has joined Kentucky's John Calipari, Harvard's Tommy Amaker and 34 other collegiate head coaches to announce a partnership with the John McLendon Minority Scholarship Foundation ("McLendon Foundation") to help launch the McLendon Minority Leadership Initiative ("Minority Leadership Initiative," or "MLI"). 

This coach-driven initiative will provide minorities a jump-start to their careers through practical experiences, opportunities to build their network, and instilling the values of John McLendon: Integrity, Education, Leadership, and Mentorship. Participants in the initiative will be known as MLI Future Leaders. Learn more about John McLendon here.
 
"Ann and I are honored to support Coach McLendon's incredible legacy by providing greater opportunities to young minority men and women in athletics administration," Turgeon said. "I am appreciative of the support of the University of Maryland Athletic Department's support of this initiative. Career advancement is truly about access and opportunity. I am proud to team up with coaches across the country so that future leaders may prosper in our industry."
 
"The McLendon Minority Leadership Initiative is a huge step in the right direction for enhancing the pipeline within our industry," said Andrea Williams, Chief Operating Officer at the College Football Playoff (CFP) and McLendon Foundation President. "There are many qualified minority individuals who are prepared to make their mark and begin their careers in college athletics, and this program, jumpstarted by Coach Calipari, is a great foundation to build on."

The McLendon Foundation will be assisting in the solicitation of collegiate coaches, administrators, and corporations to build this program and provide opportunities within athletics departments at all levels, with the ultimate goal of expanding and enhancing the pipeline for minorities interested in pursuing careers in athletics administration. As an added benefit, the Joel Cornette Foundation will assist the Future Leaders with corporate mentorship, development, and job placement.
 
To augment his support of the McLendon Leadership Initiative, Turgeon is also seeking matching funds from private donors, corporate supporters, and other partners to support other universities that wish to participate in the program.
 
More information regarding the MLI, including a pre-application for interested and qualified individuals, can be found at MinorityLeaders.org. In conjunction with this announcement, the McLendon Foundation is unveiling a newly designed website to showcase the efforts of the Foundation, highlighted by its mission to empower and develop minorities who aspire to be principled leaders in athletics administration by providing educational resources and access to a life-long community of mentors.

About the John McLendon Minority Scholarship Foundation
The John McLendon Minority Scholarship Foundation is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization founded and administered by NACDA that provides educational opportunities and serves as a vehicle for networking, information and advocacy on behalf of the profession. Since its inception, the Foundation has awarded 123 students with scholarships in the amount of $1,245,000.