McLendon Minority
Leadership Initiative

About the Scholarship

The McLendon Foundation is excited to offers eleven postgraduate scholarships to minority candidates currently pursuing / planning to pursue a master’s degree in a field that will help them pursue a career in the sports industry. We are currently offering the following:

  • Seven (7) $10,000 scholarships for ethnic minorities
  • One (1) $10,000 scholarship to a minority candidate from an Arizona-based four-year institution or planning to attend a graduate school in Arizona.
  • One (1) fully funded spot for an ethnic minority candidate into UMass Amherst’s Mark H. McCormack top-ranked graduate program.
  • Two (2) $10,000 scholarships to ethnic minority/female graduates of CIAA schools

 AppLY HERE
 

Learn more about the impact of the McLendon Scholarship, CLICK HERE

Eligibility Requirements

McLendon Scholarship Eligibility

Plan to pursue a master’s degree (in the United States) in a field that will lead to a career in the sports industry; OR be...

  • Plan to pursue a master’s degree (in the United States) in a field that will lead to a career in the sports industry; OR be currently enrolled full-time but not have graduated before September 2025.
  • The $10,000 award must be used within 5 years of receipt.
  • Identify as an ethnic minority

Fiesta Bowl Scholarship Eligibility

Must have graduated from an Arizona based 4-year college or have been accepted to a Arizona based grad program The $10,000 award must be used within...

  • Must have graduated from an Arizona based 4-year college or have been accepted to a Arizona based grad program
  • The $10,000 award must be used within 5 years of receipt.
  • Identify as an ethnic minority

McCormack Scholarship Eligibility

Candidates must plan to enroll in the on-ground program in Fall of the next year Identify as an ethnic minority

  • Candidates must plan to enroll in the on-ground program in Fall of the next year
  • Identify as an ethnic minority

CIAA Scholarship Eligibility

Must have graduated from a CIAA institution Identify as an ethnic minority or a woman Candidates must plan to start studies in Summer/Fall 2025 or Spring 2026

  • Must have graduated from a CIAA institution
  • Identify as an ethnic minority or a woman
  • Candidates must plan to start studies in Summer/Fall 2025 or Spring 2026

Minimum Undergraduate GPA

Applicants must have a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale or it’s equivalent; graduate GPA is not considered.

Applicants must have a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale or it’s equivalent; graduate GPA is not considered.

Federal Guidelines

Must identify as one of the following: Black  – All persons having origins in any of the Black racial groups of Africa. Hispanic – All persons of...

Must identify as one of the following:

  • Black  – All persons having origins in any of the Black racial groups of Africa.
  • Hispanic – All persons of Mexican, Puerto Rican, Cuban, Central or South American, or other Spanish culture of origin, regardless of race.
  • Asian or Pacific Islander – All persons having origins in any of the original peoples of the Far East, Southeast Asia, the Indian subcontinent or the Pacific Islands. This area includes, for example, China, India, Japan, Korea, the Philippine Islands and Samoa.
  • American Indian or Alaskan Native – All persons having origins in any of the original peoples of North America, and who maintain cultural identification through tribal affiliation or community recognition.


In addition to the application form, the applicant MUST submit a 1,200-word personal essay.

Prompt for your application submission:

1. What personal experiences have shaped your leadership style, and how will you use those experiences to inspire and lead others in the sports industry?

2. How can the McLendon Foundation help you achieve your dreams and support your journey in the sports industry?

Submit an undergraduate transcript. (unofficial transcripts are accepted)
Submit a resume

Questions?

For questions, contact:

Ishita Tibrewal
email: itibrewal@nacda.com