By Julie Work

On December 18, 2007, The National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) held the John McLendon Minority Athletics Administrators Awards Luncheon to honor achievements, increase awareness and opportunities in the field of administration, and raise funds for the John McLendon Minority Scholarship Fund. John B. McLendon was the last living protégé of basketball’s inventor, Dr, James Naismith, and one of the most influential coaches and administrators of the 20th century. His influence and legacy continues today.

Over 600 people from around the country convened at the Cleveland State Wolstein Center to pay tribute to this unassuming yet remarkable man who made such a lasting impact on the lives of so many. The audience included administrators from the college and pro ranks, corporate leaders, former players, public officials, students, and individuals from all walks of life. A highlight was the presence of Joanna McLendon, John's wife, who was clearly touched by the outpouring of admiration for her late husband, a man who never sought personal accolades.

The event featured the inductees of the inaugural Legends Class and other prominent national leaders in the field of sports administration. The 2007 Legends Class consisted of six minority administrators who have left their mark in athletics history. These honorees were the first African-Americans to hold the following positions:

• Wayne Embry, NBA General Manager
• Dr. James Frank, NCAA President
• Ozzie Newsome, NFL General Manager
• Gene Smith, NACDA President
• Dr. Leroy Walker – NAIA President, USOC President
• Bill White – MLB National League President

“John McLendon was a true pioneer for African-Americans in sports and this luncheon and panel discussion will allow us to share his story along with our own,” said Gene Smith, director of athletics at Ohio State University and former NACDA President. “Hopefully efforts such as this will honor the impact John McLendon’s life had on sports and continue expanding its pipeline of diversity on and off the court.”

In addition, the inaugural Allan H. (Bud) Selig Mentoring Award was given to Dan Rooney, Chairman of the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Mentoring Award, named in honor of Major League Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig, is given to those in athletics administration who have gone over and above in creating equal opportunities for minorities in the field of athletics. Rooney was selected as the inaugural recipient for his many years of service and efforts to promote diversity in the National Football League. Commissioner Selig was on hand to present the award to Mr. Rooney.

The lunch was followed by a panel discussion that featured Gene Smith and other leaders in sports administration today, including:
• Dr. Clint Bryant, Augusta State University Athletics Director
• Wayne Embry, Toronto Raptors Senior Consultant
• Dr. James Frank, Former NCAA President
• Lee Reed, Cleveland State University Athletics Director
• Dell Robinson, Mid-American Conference Associate Commissioner
• Gene Smith, Ohio State University Athletics Director
• Charlotte Westerhaus, NCAA Vice President of Diversity and Inclusion
• Fred Nance, Managing Partner of Squire Sanders

Randell McShepard, founder of Policy Bridge and Vice President of Public Affairs for RPM International, Inc., served as moderator. Over 300 high school students from Cleveland Public Schools and the surrounding area, including the Ginn Academy, were in attendance, along with college students, professionals, and current practitioners. The panel discussion was held in partnership with NACDA, the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission, and the National Association of Black Sports Professionals (NABSP).

This occasion symbolized NACDA’s commitment to increasing minority participation in sports administration. Since its inception in 1998, the John McLendon Scholarship Program has provided more than 30 postgraduate scholarships, each in the amount of $10,000, to minority students pursuing a degree in athletics administration.

The John McLendon Minority Athletics Administrators Awards Luncheon celebrated and honored the life of its namesake. John McLendon’s legacy continues to have a tremendous impact on the lives of countless players, coaches, administrators, and fans. As the first black coach hired by a predominately white institution (Cleveland State University) in the 1960s, McLendon laid the foundation for minority leadership in collegiate and professional sports today. A more detailed history of this remarkable life can be found in the recent book, Breaking Through: John B. McLendon, Basketball Legend and Civil Rights Pioneer, by Milton S. Katz, published in 2007 by the University of Arkansas Press.

For more information on the John McLendon Awards Luncheon and Scholarship Foundation, please visit www.nacda.com.

Julie Work is Director of Communications for the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics.

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