CLEVELAND - The Minority Opportunities Athletic Association (MOAA) is pleased to announce Chris Jones, assistant athletics director for major gifts at Temple University as the 2019 Rudy Keeling Scholarship recipient. Jones will receive a $2,500 postgraduate scholarship toward an advanced degree with the intention of furthering administrative pursuits within the intercollegiate athletics industry. For the fourth year in a row, the scholarship will be presented with financial assistance of sponsor, Bob McCloskey Insurance.

As the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Commissioner, Rudy Keeling was the first African-American ever to head a major sports conference, a position he held from 2007 until his retirement in January 2013. He was also a former member of the MOAA Board of Directors. Candidates for the scholarship were reviewed by the MOAA leadership and members of the Keeling Family.

"Rudy Keeling was a servant leader, mentor and trailblazer for both current and aspiring intercollegiate athletics administrators. This year, we are fortunate to recognize Chris Jones with the Postgraduate Scholarship in honor of Rudy's legacy. Congratulations to Chris," said MOAA President Peggy Davis, director of athletics at Virginia State University.

As the assistant athletics director for major gifts at Temple, Jones' responsibilities include devising strategies, soliciting and providing stewardship with major gifts of $50,000 and up and leadership annual gifts.

Prior to joining Temple, Jones worked as director of development for athletics at Clarion University. During his time at Clarion, he oversaw all athletics fundraising and secured the second largest gift in the history of the athletics department.

From 2014-16, Jones worked at Lincoln University (MO) where he served as the executive director of the Blue Tigers Athletics Club. While at Lincoln, Jones was able to build the Blue Tigers Club from the ground up and work with a team that was responsible for the highest fundraising total in the history of the University.

Jones is an active member of the Council for the Support of Education (CASE), National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) and the National Association of Athletic Development Directors (NAADD).

Jones earned both his bachelor's and master's degrees from North Carolina Central University, where he also worked in development after graduation.

About the Minority Opportunities Athletic Association: Administered by the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA), the Minority Opportunities Athletic Association promotes equitable employment opportunities for minorities in the athletics industry through the exchange of ideas, the creation of networking opportunities and the avocation of an increase in employment for minorities in athletics administration positions at all levels of the sports industry. The association also promotes cultivating a sports environment that supports the values necessary to accept aspiring professionals from all walks of life. For more information on the Minority Opportunities Athletic Association, please visit www.moaaweb.com.