Programs the NCAA funds or supports that foster a diverse and inclusive athletics culture and provide advancement opportunities for athletics administrators:

Leadership Institutes for Ethnic Minority Males and Females 

Designed to address the critical shortage of senior-level men and women of color in athletics administration at NCAA member institutions and conference offices. The institutes prepare diverse leaders through a 12-month training and skills-development experience that enhances participants’ job-related competencies in selected areas through completion of four professional development sessions, practical work and a week-long intensive workshop.

NCAA Fellows Leadership Development Program

Established in 1994, the 18-month program aims to enhance the employment and leadership opportunities for minorities and women at the senior management level of intercollegiate athletics administration. The program identifies minorities and women who aspire to hold positions such as athletics director and conference commissioner, and to involve them in various senior management-level administrative experiences.

NCAA Internship Program

The NCAA offers one-year internships at its national office in Indianapolis, providing on-the-job learning experiences for college graduates who express an interest in pursuing a career in the athletics administration.  

Ethnic Minority and Women’s Enhancement Postgraduate Scholarships

The NCAA awards 13 scholarships to ethnic minorities and 13 scholarships to female college graduates who will be entering their initial year of postgraduate studies. Applicants must be seeking admission or have been accepted into a sports administration or related program that will help them obtain a career in intercollegiate athletics, such as athletics administrator, coach, athletic trainer or other career that provides a direct service to intercollegiate athletics.

Men’s Coaches Academy

Administered by the NCAA with support from the American Football Coaches Association, the Black Coaches Association and the National Football League, the academy is designed to address the lack of ethnic minorities in the football coaching ranks. The academy’s mission is to assist ethnic minority coaches with career advancement through skills enhancement, networking and exposure opportunities and to raise awareness regarding the substantial pool of talented ethnic minority coaches. 

Vince Baldemor

Executive Director of Ahahui Koa Anuenue

University of Hawaii, Manoa

Graduate of the NCAA Leadership Institute for Ethnic Minority Males

• How has the Leadership Institute for Ethnic Minority Males enhanced your personal and professional growth?

Like many others, I am hoping and planning to stay in intercollegiate athletics administration for some time. One of the benefits of the Institute is that it has allowed me to pick the brains of various athletics administrators, understand the NCAA landscape and identify and work on skills necessary to get to the next level. As a result of the access I’ve been given, the Institute has allowed me to “peek behind the curtain” and see first-hand the business of college athletics.

Marcus Blossom

NCAA national office, administrative services group

Participant in the NCAA Internship Program (2005-06)

• What is the greatest benefit of being an NCAA Intern?

The relationships I have developed at the national office are most beneficial. I’ve never seen such a hard-working group of individuals who are all focused on one goal — giving the student-athlete the best collegiate (and life) experience possible. I have no doubt I will not only maintain, but cultivate the relationships I made. I hope that I can eventually reciprocate by someday being able to give my colleagues as much as they have given me.

Venera Stafford

Head volleyball coach/senior woman administrator

Midwestern State University

Graduate of the NCAA Leadership Institute for Ethnic Minority Females

• Describe something you learned from the Institute.

One of the most important things I learned from the Institute is to appreciate and benefit from the experiences of others.

Valerie A. Richards

Columbia University-Barnard College

Associate director of athletics/senior woman administrator

Participant in the NCAA Internship Program (1997)

• How has your experience as an NCAA intern enhanced your personal and professional growth?

The year I spent as an intern at the NCAA was by far the best professional experience of my life. It gave me a national perspective on collegiate athletics administration that has served me well in my conference office and institutional positions since. I had the privilege of representing the NCAA at numerous national events, I learned the value of networking and I had exceptional role models to learn from on a daily basis. On a more personal note, I feel blessed to have had the opportunity to work with so many wonderful colleagues that I am now fortunate to be able to call my friends.