McLendon Minority
Leadership Initiative
History of McLendon Foundation

History of McLendon Foundation

Recognizing the many accomplishments of John McLendon, the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) created a postgraduate scholarship program in 1999—the John McLendon Minority Scholarship Foundation.

The postgraduate scholarships are presented to minority students who intend on pursuing an advanced degree in the field of athletics administration. The Foundation annually offers eight (8) postgraduate scholarships in the amount of $10,000. The awards are in addition to any other awards or scholarships the student might have already received.

Collaboratively working with the Fiesta Bowl, one of the available scholarships is reserved specifically for a minority candidate from a four-year academic institution based in Arizona.

Our Mission

Our mission is 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.

Our Values

All organizational planning for the Foundation directly aligns with its values:

  • Education
  • Integrity
  • Leadership
  • Mentorship

These core values were selected because they are the embodiment of the spirit, character, and inspiring journey of John McLendon.

The McLendon Foundation is dedicated to the educational advancement and cultivation of minority students.