SAN FRANCISCO – In coordination with Monday's national launch by the John McLendon Minority Scholarship Foundation, every head men's basketball coach from the Pac-12 Conference has pledged his support to participate in the McLendon Minority Leadership Initiative.
The dozen coaches from the Pac-12 join a contingent of their colleagues across the country – led by Kentucky's John Calipari and Harvard's Tommy Amaker – in establishing the Minority Leadership Initiative, which will provide minorities a jump-start to their careers through practical experiences, opportunities to build their network, and instilling the values of John McLendon: Integrity, Education, Leadership, and Mentorship. Participants in the initiative will be known as MLI Future Leaders. Learn more about John McLendon here.
I'm all in. Proud to help launch the McLendon Foundation Minority Leadership Initiative and help provide access + opportunity to deserving minority candidates as #FutureLeaders Learn more at https://t.co/T8nGDkYWBx #MLI
— Bobby Hurley (@BobbyHurley11) July 13, 2020
Each of the league's 12 head coaches have pledged a four-year commitment to provide funding to the MLI program, which will establish athletics administration educational experiences for minority candidates on each Pac-12 campus. The coaches will act as liaison with the McLendon Foundation and serve as ambassadors and mentors to the MLI Future Leaders. The Conference's Athletic Directors unanimously approved the men's basketball coaches' recommendation to create the opportunities within their administrations last week.
Earlier this month the Pac-12 Conference announced its initial steps to promote social justice and combat racism which includes plans to support member and department initiatives to further the movement.
"I am proud of our head men's basketball coaches for collectively supporting the McLendon Foundation and taking action to effectuate social change within our membership", said Pac-12 Commissioner Larry Scott. "As our league continues its efforts to promote social justice and anti-racism, it is critical to foster and cultivate meaningful opportunities to develop minority leadership and influence organizational change not only within our athletic departments, but across the sports industry."Marched with my family today. This is a movement not a moment. @blmphxmetro #BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/kDw30vNenl
— Bobby Hurley (@BobbyHurley11) June 8, 2020