Impact of a Scholarship: Len Elmore

Former Maryland basketball player, NBA player, lawyer, Senior lecturer, TV analyst, and so much more, Len Elmore has thus far lived a very rewarding life.

Elmore grew up alongside his parents, two brothers, and sister in Brooklyn, New York. He initially took on the game of basketball in junior high. He was soon after discovered by his P.E. teacher, who eventually introduced him to Power Memorial Academy, a private catholic school where he continued to pursue a career in basketball. 

“I really strived educationally, and I was able to do well enough, not only as a high school basketball player and an All-American senior, but also academically. I was put in a position where I could go to any school I wanted to,” Elmore acknowledges.

Elmore never really thought about basketball for his future. “I certainly knew basketball could be a vehicle to get to college, but I wasn’t really accomplished; I was just learning how to play the game.” However, during his sophomore year, letters began rolling in from smaller schools, and once he entered his junior year, the big names started to emerge, Maryland, among many others.

It wasn’t long before the Terp had his heart set on the University of Maryland. “When you dream of a college campus, you have to see Maryland.” Not only was the idyllic campus a top seller for Elmore, but he greatly appreciated the close proximity to his home, the sizable African American community, the significant options to fulfill his interest in law, and Cole Field House.

Looking back on his time at Maryland, Elmore can’t pinpoint one specific moment as his favorite because they were all so memorable. “In all four years, I only lost two games on the floor of Cole Field House,” Elmore reminisces. He is so grateful for the memories he made while playing in front of 14,500 screaming fans; the adrenaline was like none other.

Elmore also remembers his time spent at McKeldin Mall. “At the time, it was just flat grass, a few walkways, and people sitting, talking, throwing the frisbee, and having fun.” The mall is where Elmore met his wife and many other classmates he is still connected with today. “That kind of community interaction was irreplaceable.”

Being a Maryland student-athlete on a scholarship has impacted Elmore’s life in many ways and aided in his ability to become successful. “More than anything else aside from the financial support it provided my family and me, I like to focus on the value of a scholarship.”

His scholarship not only prepared him for the next steps in professional life as a first-round pick in both the NBA and ABA but also as a law student. “It allowed me to become eligible, qualified, and then chosen for Harvard Law School where he received his law degree. I thought law could be an instrument of change; I wanted to be in the parade and not on the sidelines, my undergrad allowed me that opportunity.”  

Elmore also recognizes the benefits as they added to his character and personal development. “I was able to develop a name for myself that was respected because of what I was able to accomplish. And from a training maturity, I was able to better capture the understanding of people and the understanding of what community means.”

Elmore is passionate about giving back to the community that provided him with so many tangible and intangible benefits. He continues with service for the university while serving on a couple of Task Forces. 

The Elmores also established a fund with the Terrapin Club that recognizes leadership in athletes, and more specifically, female athletes. “Our hope was this endowment would help defray costs for other young women who are developing as athletes and also as leaders in their community. We hope to reward what they have done prior to receiving the scholarship aid the endowment provided.” 

To further emphasize his passion for instilling leadership in students, Elmore teaches a leadership course at Columbia University in the Sports Management Program. “I thought all of the institutional knowledge I’ve amassed with regard to leadership, particularly in sports, can’t be taken with me, so I might as well impart it to young folks who can hopefully find the value and continue to develop it,” Elmore explains. “After all, the core of leadership is to create other leaders.”

Elmore has also been involved with multiple small businesses to emphasize the true purpose behind athletic scholarships. 

As a member of the Knight Commission on Intercollegiate Athletes, he helps normalize what college sports are supposed to look like by focusing on the education, health, safety, and well-being of the student-athlete. “We are looking to reform collegiate athletics and keep it from hurdling headfirst into commercialism, recognizing it would be more detrimental to the experience of college athletes than it would be advantageous.”

Elmore also took on the role as former CEO of iHoops, a joint venture between the NCAA and the NBA. During his time on the board, he targeted youth basketball players and prioritized their well-being rather than focusing on their skills and ability to make it to the pros like many coaches would do.“

Balancing these small businesses in addition to teaching and broadcasting isn’t all that challenging for Elmore. “I like to be involved in more than one thing if it’s going to accomplish something positive. I can still utilize all those areas as a bully pulpit to continue focusing on the value of college sports for athletes and trying to prevent college sports from becoming just another Pro League and not giving the value that young athletes deserve.”

Aside from all the hard work Elmore has done thus far to give back and create change in the sports industry, he wishes he could have more impact and guide young athletes today to recognize the power they have, the influence they could have, and the leverage they can exert. “They have the ability to affect social change through their presence,” Elmore emphasizes. 

As for advice to his younger self and all future athletes or Terps, Elmore recommends following your path. “Follow your passion because that’s what’s going to allow you to not only achieve but to be fulfilled. Don’t necessarily pursue the almighty dollar, but look to have impact and influence as time goes on because that’s where the true reward is.”