University of California, Los Angeles, Athletics
Coach Cronin Pledges Support of McLendon Initiative
July 13, 2020 | Men's Basketball
LOS ANGELES – In coordination with Monday's national launch by the John McLendon Minority Scholarship Foundation, UCLA's Mick Cronin and the 11 other head men's basketball coaches from the Pac-12 Conference have pledged their support to participate in the McLendon Minority Leadership Initiative.
The dozen coaches from the Pac-12 are joining a contingent of their colleagues across the country, establishing the Minority Leadership Initiative (MLI), which will help provide minorities a jump-start to their careers through practical experiences, opportunities to build their network, and instilling the values of John McLendon: Integrity, Education, Leadership, and Mentorship. Participants in the initiative will be known as MLI Future Leaders. Learn more about John McLendon by clicking here.
"As coaches and leaders in our communities, it's important that we work together to take meaningful action with initiatives such as the McLendon Foundation," said Cronin, The Michael Price Family UCLA Men's Head Basketball Coach. "I'm proud of the Pac-12 and my fellow head coaches for collaborating on this McLendon Initiative as we try and provide minorities with a path to build their careers and grow their professional networks."
Each of the conference's 12 head coaches have pledged a four-year commitment to provide funding to the MLI program, which will establish athletics administration educational experiences for minority candidates on each Pac-12 campus. The coaches will act as liaison with the McLendon Foundation and serve as ambassadors and mentors to the MLI Future Leaders. The Conference's Athletic Directors unanimously approved the men's basketball coaches' recommendation to create the opportunities within their administrations last week.
Earlier this month the Pac-12 Conference announced its initial steps to promote social justice and combat racism which includes plans to support member and department initiatives to further the movement.
"I am proud of our head men's basketball coaches for collectively supporting the McLendon Foundation and taking action to effectuate social change within our membership", said Pac-12 Commissioner Larry Scott. "As our league continues its efforts to promote social justice and antiracism, it is critical to foster and cultivate meaningful opportunities to develop minority leadership and influence organizational change not only within our athletic departments, but across the sports industry."
