CLEVELAND - The John McLendon Minority Scholarship Foundation is proud to recognize the eight winners of the John McLendon Minority Postgraduate Scholarship Awards.

"On behalf of the McLendon Foundation, we would like to congratulate this year's scholarship recipients," stated McLendon Foundation President and Director of Athletics at Georgetown University, Lee Reed. "Coach McLendon believed deeply in the value of education and we are proud to honor his legacy by supporting the continued educational pursuits of these eight future leaders."

The 2019 John McLendon Minority Postgraduate Scholarship recipients are:

Student	Undergraduate Institution	Undergraduate Major
Brianna Cassidy	University of Nebraska - Lincoln	Communication Studies; Sociology
Nicholas Clark	Coastal Carolina University	Communication & Business Administration
Naomi Eastland	Northern Arizona University	Athletic Training
Kiambra Griffin	Davidson College	Africana Studies
Alexandra Holt	University of the Pacific	Social Sciences
Victoria Larsen	California State University, Stanislaus	Kinesiology
Nicholas Mutebi	Wayne State University	Business Administration/Management
Alex Shillow	Texas A&M University - Commerce	Sport and Recreation Management

The McLendon Minority Postgraduate Scholarship winners will each receive a $10,000 grant to be used towards postgraduate studies in athletics administration. Through the support of the Fiesta Bowl's endowment commitment to the Foundation, a John McLendon Minority Postgraduate Scholarship will be awarded each year to a student associated with an Arizona-based four-year institution. The 2019 McLendon Scholarship, presented by the Fiesta Bowl, is being awarded to Naomi Eastland, who is continuing her education at Northern Arizona University.
 
"In our third year with the McLendon Minority Scholarship, we've been impressed with the talent and personal character of the individuals in the program," stated Fiesta Bowl Executive Director Mike Nealy. "Naomi is dedicated to excellence in education and leadership, two key drivers in the Fiesta Bowl mission as well. Helping Naomi on her professional journey in the education and sports management track is something we're honored to do."
 
In addition to the Fiesta Bowl, the National Association of Academic and Student-Athlete Development Professionals (N4A) has continued its sponsorship of two of the $10,000 scholarships. A portion of this contribution to the Foundation is in memory of Curtis Jones, former associate athletics director for academic support at West Virginia, who passed away suddenly in September 2013. Jones was a N4A Board Member at the time of his death.
 
Biographies on each of the winners and more information about the McLendon Scholarship Award can be found below.

Cassidy earned a bachelor's degree in communications studies and sociology from the University of Nebraska maintaining a 3.57 GPA. A two-time All-Big Ten Academic honoree, Cassidy serves as a UN College of Arts & Sciences Student Ambassador, and in 2018 she received the UNL Department of Communication Studies Undergraduate Leadership Award. Achieving excellence both on and off the field, Cassidy is a Big Ten Distinguished Scholar, while serving as a three-year starter for the Cornhuskers softball team. Cassidy plans to pursue an advanced degree in Business with a Specialization in Intercollegiate Athletic Administration (MAIAA) at her alma mater.

Clark received a bachelor's degree in communications from Coastal Carolina University maintaining a 3.3 GPA. Clark currently serves on the NCAA Division I Council, Football Oversight Committee, Board of Governors Sports Wagering Committee and served as the Chair of the NCAA Division I National SAAC. In 2016 he was named to the Big South Conference Presidential Honor Roll, and in 2017 received Sun Belt Conference Presidential Honor Roll laurels. Clark has also been honored with the Sun Belt Conference's Leadership Award and Medal of Honor in 2019. His postgraduate plans include pursuing a degree in sports administration at Georgia State University.

Eastland earned a bachelor's degree in athletic training from Eastern Washington University, while maintaining a 3.76 GPA. Eastland served as the Eastern Washington University women's club basketball president and the athletic training clubs community service chair. In 2018, she was named the Eastern Washington's Club sports female Athlete of the Year. A multiple-time Dean's List selection Eastland was named a Leadership 1000 Scholarship Award recipient. Is currently pursuing a master's in educational leadership at Northern Arizona University.

Griffin received a bachelor's degree in Africana studies from Davidson College maintaining a 3.52 GPA. She is a 2018 recipient of the Alain Locke and Anna Julia Cooper and Linda H. Gillman S.M.A.R.T Awards. Griffin participated in the 2019 NCAA Emerging Leaders Seminar, served on the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee and is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha. She is currently pursuing a master's degree in sports management at Columbia University.


Holt earned a bachelor's degree in Social Sciences from University of the Pacific maintaining a 3.89 GPA. Holt served as captain of the 2018-19 women's volleyball team, student teacher, the community relations assistant for UOP's Beyond Our Gates Organization and is a member of the Black Student Union. A Dean's Honor Roll selection every semester of her undergraduate career, Holt was named West Coast Conference All-Academic Honorable Mention. In the classroom, Holt was recognized by the history department as the Outstanding Senior Award in the social science major. She is currently pursuing a master's degree in education and organizational leadership at University of the Pacific.

Larsen received a bachelor's degree in kinesiology from California State University, Stanislaus maintaining a 3.7 GPA. Larsen was a member of the volleyball and track and field teams and served as the 2017-2018 Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) representative. A multiple-time Dean's List selection, Larsen was selected to participate in the NCAA Career in Sports Forum and is a member of the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society. She is currently pursuing an a master's in sport management at University of San Francisco.

Mutebi earned a bachelor's degree in business administration/management from Wayne State University maintaining a 3.72 GPA. Mutebi served as captain of the men's basketball team, was a member of the NCAA Emerging Leaders Seminar Program Leadership Team, and served on the Executive Team & Fundraising Coordinator for Opening Door Learning Center (Nonprofit Organization). Mutebi has been recognized as a Mike Ilitch School of Business "25 under 25" honoree, a member of the 2018 NABC Give Back Team and received the Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholar Award. He plans to pursue a post graduate degree in business management and sport business management at the University of Central Florida.

Shillow completed his bachelor's degree in sport and recreation management from Texas A&M University Commerce, while maintaining a 3.9 GPA. Shillow served as captain of the football team, the President of the Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), NCAA Division II National SAAC Chair and is a Lion Leadership Academy veteran leader. A 2nd Team ALL-LSC selection, Shillow is a recipient of the 2018 Hunt County African American Leadership Conference - MLK Social Justice Award and a three-time Lone Star Conference Commissioner's Honor Roll honoree. He plans to pursue an advanced degree in athletics administration or business administration at Texas A&M University Commerce.

Funding for the John McLendon Minority Postgraduate Scholarship has been provided in part by the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA); the Cleveland Cavaliers; Major League Baseball (MLB); the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC); the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA); the National Basketball Association (NBA); the National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA); Capital One; and Sears, Roebuck and Co. As of the 2018-19 academic year, the John McLendon Minority Postgraduate Scholarship Program has awarded over 100 scholarships, totaling over $1 million.

About the Fiesta Bowl: The Fiesta Bowl is a world-class community organization that executes innovative experiences, drives economic growth and champions charitable causes, inspiring pride in all Arizonans. As a nonprofit organization, it believes in the importance of community outreach and service. Through charitable giving, the organization strives to enhance Arizona nonprofit organizations that contribute to the success of communities through youth, sports and education. Since 1971, the Fiesta Bowl has worked to increase its footprint across the state and work to benefit Arizonans year round, during and outside of bowl season.
 
About NACDA: NACDA, now in its 54th year, is the professional and educational Association for more than 12,500 college athletics administrators at more than 1,600 institutions throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico. More than 6,500 athletics administrators annually attend NACDA & Affiliates Convention Week. Additionally, NACDA manages 17 professional associations and three foundations. For more information on NACDA, visit www.nacda.com.