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 Vision & Mission

Vision Statement

To increase diverse representation in sports by cultivating extraordinary talent to guide the industry into a more equitable future. 


Mission Statement
To create access and opportunities for historically excluded talent who aspire to impact the sports industry. The Foundation is committed to empowering and developing the next generation of executive leaders in sports through financial resources, a robust educational curriculum and an engaged community of principled leaders.

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.