The Power of Community: Thriving as a McLendon Torchbearer

Being a part of the McLendon Foundation's Scholarship program has changed the trajectory of my career path. From the moment I became part of the program, I sensed something unique and special about the organization and its mission. Being embraced by The McLendon Foundation Community has been nothing short of transformative. Every step of the way, I've been poured into and showered with guidance from some of the best in the sports industry. The passion and dedication of these incredibly talented professionals has ignited a fire within me, propelling me forward in ways I never thought possible.

When I think about being a McLendon Torchbearer means to me, the first two words that come to my mind are opportunity and community.

As a scholar, in addition to monthly professional development gatherings, I was fortunate to participate in the first-ever McLendon Leadership Weekend held in Lexington, Ky in 2021. Being a part of such an intimate event where we heard best practices and wisdom from executives at the NCAA , CBS Sports, National Football League (NFL) , and several universities and conference offices was inspiring. One of the things that stuck with me most was hearing from a young professional panel that was a part of the Education series that Fellows and Scholars attend. One of the speakers, who was recently an intern, stressed the importance of owning one's experiences and intentionally crafting them in a way that aligns with one's future goals. I've taken this advice to heart throughout my career, specifically in how I've curated student-athlete development programs.

The three days I spent learning and growing with my cohort in Lexington set the tone for the next few months and prepared me thoroughly for my first job in college athletics after graduating from the 美国佛罗里达大学 , with my masters in Sport Management. The guidance and support I received from the McLendon community not only empowered me to confidently shape my career path but also to evolve as a leader.

As a McLendon Scholar, I got the opportunity to be a part of a community of young leaders, change makers, and culture shifters. Having this community of future game-changers to lean, even today - more than two years after I received the scholarship, while we navigate our career journey together has been invaluable. The lasting impact McLendon Torchbearers are creating across the sports college campuses and the rest of the sports industry is incredibly inspiring and it showcases the significant level of preparedness fostered by the McLendon Foundation.

The values that have been instilled in me through the McLendon Foundation: mentorship, leadership, integrity, and education, have prepared me for every step of my career journey. It's been a blessing to be a part of an organization that invests in us and intentionally creates pathways for traditionally underrepresented groups in the sports industry.

The McLendon Foundation Postgraduate has shaped me as a leader, a professional, and, most importantly, as a person.

Although a few years have passed since I was a recipient of the McLendon Scholarship, I still feel just as much a part of the McLendon family as ever. This past fall, I was able to attend the McLendon Leadership Weekend and meet the newest cohort. It was a full-circle moment to engage and offer insights and mentorship while still soaking in all the amazing leadership development opportunities and guest speakers.

This experience reinforced that being involved with the McLendon Foundation is not a one-year commitment; it’s a lifelong support system and network where I can count on them for advice, mentorship, and most importantly community.