June 20, 2009

Orlando, Fla. - It’s only fitting that the mastermind behind the fast break, a revolutionary idea in his day that has since changed the face of basketball, was honored and openly adored Friday night by some of the most remarkable revolutionaries in the world of sports at the 2nd Annual Hall of Fame Induction Reception which bears his name. The late John McLendon meant so much to so many people, and the evening was as much of a celebration of his pioneering efforts and inventive ideas on the hardwood as a descendent of Mr. Naismith as it was a celebration of the accomplishments of the men and women seated on the dais being recognized for their McLendon-like attributes that allowed them to have the impact they were able to have on their respective sports.

The inductees at the 2nd Annual John McLendon Minority Athletics Administrators Hall of Fame Induction Reception, emceed by renowned broadcaster Charles Davis, included Alvin Attles, vice president/assistant general manager of the Golden State Warriors; Anita DeFrantz, former president of the International Olympic Committee; Dr. Bernard Franklin, NCAA executive vice president on NCAA membership and student-athlete affairs and past president of three HBCU’s; Willie O’Ree, director of youth development for the NHL/USA Hockey Diversity Task Force and the first black player in the National Hockey League; Gale Sayers, the first African-American athletics director in Division I at Southern Illinois; Gene Washington, retired NFL Director of Football Operations; and Bob Watson, MLB vice president of on-field operations and the first African-American general manager in MLB with the Houston Astros.

NACDA Executive Director and McLendon Foundation Founder, Mike Cleary, with Joanna McLendon, John's widow

Speaking on behalf of all Hall of Fame inductees was Gene Washington, who stressed the mission of the John McLendon Minority Scholarship Foundation that, since its inception, has been driven by the vision of its founder Mike Cleary.

“When you think about the McLendon Foundation and other minority organizations, it takes [the efforts of] an entire community,” Washington stated. “And I’d like to give a shout out to Mike Cleary, the heart and soul of this organization…We now have 14 minorities heading major institutions across the country, and that’s due in large part to minority helpers such as himself, but it takes an entire community to make that happen.”

The Bud Selig Mentoring Award is given annually to a deserving athletics administrator who has been at the forefront of creating opportunities for young minorities seeking to enter the field of athletics administration. This award description could double as the epitaph down the road for the 2009 recipient, as former University of Georgia (UGA) Director of Athletics Vince Dooley embodies each and every word. Upon receiving his award, the UGA legend spoke on what it meant to him to be surrounded by so many people of influence, courage and honor.

“I’ve always wanted to be in the big leagues,” Dooley stated. “To be introduced by Bob Watson, a baseball legend; receiving an award named after the baseball commissioner; and being in the presence of all of these Hall of Famers, I’d say that’s in the big leagues.”

In true humble fashion, Dooley went on to say that every minority athlete and athletics administrator that he hired over his tenure provided their opportunities for themselves. Tubby Smith, the first African-American coach he hired; Willie McLendon, the first African-American he ever coached to be named to captain; legendary running back Herschel Walker; and current Georgia AD Damon Evans all put themselves in positions to excel and deserved their opportunities as much, if not more, than anyone in the business.