McLendon Minority
Leadership Initiative

About the Scholarship

The John McLendon Minority Scholarship Foundation offers eight (8) $10,000 postgraduate scholarships to minority candidates planning to pursue a master’s degree in athletics administration/sport management.

Through the support of the Fiesta Bowl, one of the eight available scholarships will be earmarked specifically for a minority candidate from an Arizona based four-year institution.

2023 Applications are now closed
 

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

Eligibility Requirements

Federal Guidelines

Must identify as one of the following: Black (Not of Hispanic origin) – All persons having origins in any of the Black racial groups of Africa. Hispanic...

Must identify as one of the following:

  • Black (Not of Hispanic origin) – 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.

Minimum Undergraduate GPA

Have a minimum undergraduate grade point average of 3.0 (based on a 4.0 scale) or its equivalent in the undergraduate curriculum. Candidates whose GPA is less...

Have a minimum undergraduate grade point average of 3.0 (based on a 4.0 scale) or its equivalent in the undergraduate curriculum.

  • Candidates whose GPA is less than 3.0 will not be considered.
  • If already enrolled in graduate school, current graduate GPA will not be considered.

Postgraduate Course Of Study

Be planning to pursue a postgraduate course of study in athletics administration/sport management within five years of receipt of the scholarship. If candidate is or...

Be planning to pursue a postgraduate course of study in athletics administration/sport management within five years of receipt of the scholarship. If candidate is or will be pursuing a course of study that is unique (i.e. educational leadership, higher education, sport psychology, etc.), or if there are any other mitigating factors (i.e. institution does not have a graduate program specific to athletics administration/sport management), please indicate in personal essay.

Qualities Of Leadership

Have demonstrated leadership qualities on a college/university or community level. Candidates who meet the following may be considered for the scholarship: Candidate is a current full-time senior...

Have demonstrated leadership qualities on a college/university or community level.

Candidates who meet the following may be considered for the scholarship:

  • Candidate is a current full-time senior and plans to pursue a master’s degree in athletics administration/sport management; OR
  • Candidate is currently enrolled in a full-time capacity in an athletics administration master’s program but will not have graduated before September 2023.


In addition to the application form, the applicant MUST submit a 1,000-word personal essay.

Prompt for your application submission:
  1. Describe your career goals and why you aspire to pursue a career in the sports industry. What role will grad school play in helping you achieve those goals and how will the McLendon scholarship assist you?
  2. How do you plan to incorporate your personal values and professional passion(s) into your future career?
Submit an undergraduate transcript. (unofficial transcripts are accepted)
Submit a resume

Questions?

For questions, contact:

Adrien Harraway
email: aharraway@nacda.com

OR

Ishita Tibrewal
email: itibrewal@nacda.com