CLEVELAND, OHIO – On the 81st anniversary of the "Secret Game", the McLendon Foundation is proud to announce The McLendon Experience, a two-day conference designed to empower the next generation of sports leaders. Taking place October 9-10, 2025, at the Durham Convention Center in Durham, NC, this inaugural event will bring together student-athletes, students, and young professionals from ALL BACKGROUNDS who aspire to build careers in sports. The Durham Sports Commission, which plays a key role in supporting sports-based initiatives in the City of Champions, is proud to host this transformative event.
Registration opens Wednesday, April 16th at 12:00 PM ET
Inspired by the historic "Secret Game", which integrated basketball in the South, this event embodies its spirit by uniting young sports professionals from ALL BACKGROUNDS. Hosted in the city where this legendary game took place, The McLendon Experience honors the past while shaping the future—providing a one-of-a-kind platform where diverse perspectives converge to Unite, Uplift, and Unleash the next generation of sports industry leaders.
"The McLendon Experience will serve as a launchpad for future sports executives, empowering them with the knowledge, network, and resources they need to thrive in the industry," said Adrien Harraway, Executive Director of the McLendon Foundation. "Hosting this event in the city where the Secret Game broke barriers is a powerful reminder of how sports unite, inspire, and drive change—just as Coach McLendon did, paving the way for future generations.
Athletics administrators and faculty of sport management programs are urged to champion their students' participation in The McLendon Experience. By supporting their attendance, you're not only investing in their future but also shaping the next generation of sports industry leaders.
Attendees can expect:
- Elite Networking – Expand their network by connecting motivated peers, seasoned administrators, influential mentors, and top industry leaders.
- Interactive Workshops – Develop essential leadership, communication, and career-building skills.
- Keynote Sessions – Gain insights from influential visionaries who will motivate, challenge, and empower the next generation.
- Recruitment & Career Opportunities – Connect with leading sports organizations looking to hire top talent.
Dr. Louis "Skip" Perkins, Athletics Director at North Carolina Central University, shared: "The McLendon Experience is a testament to everything that Coach McLendon embodied, and for a coach of his stature and importance to the game of college basketball to have been associated with North Carolina Central University is impossible to quantify. As Eagles, we are excited to see this event being held in Durham, the location of The Secret Game, as it presents an opportunity for those looking for a career in sports to learn from the past as they embark on their futures."
Nina King, Vice President, Director of Athletics at Duke University, added: "Coach McLendon's pioneering spirit and the legacy of the Secret Game continue to inspire a commitment to diversity and inclusivity. The McLendon Experience serves as a platform to uplift a diverse group of aspiring leaders in the sports industry."
In addition to shaping the careers of future sports professionals, The McLendon Experience provides sports organizations and companies with the opportunity to engage with and recruit top-tier talent, ensuring a more diverse and dynamic leadership pipeline for the industry.
Join us in Durham and be part of the future of sports leadership!
For sponsorship opportunities, please contact Adrien Harraway, aharraway@nacda.com
About the McLendon Foundation
The McLendon Foundation, established in 1999, is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization founded and administered by NACDA. Through the scholarship program and leadership initiative, the McLendon Foundation provides minorities educational resources, practical experiences and serves as a vehicle for networking, career advancement and advocacy on behalf of the profession. More information regarding the McLendon Foundation can be found at minorityleaders.org.
About Durham Sports Commission
The Durham Sports Commission (DSC) is a collaboration of the City of Durham, the County of Durham, the Greater Durham Chamber of Commerce and Discover Durham. The DSC was established in 2016 as a 501(c)(3) with a mission to create economic and social impact by leading the community's efforts to attract, support, and promote youth, amateur, collegiate, and professional sporting and recreational events and is operated by Discover Durham. The DSC provides leadership for sports-based initiatives and creates positive economic impact and quality of life in Durham and the surrounding region. Be sure to follow the DSC on Facebook, X, and Instagram to keep up with all sports-related news in Durham, NC, and other announcements.
