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October 8, 2021
Charlotte Hornets basketball star LaMelo Ball is using his platform to support youth who are looking to pursue careers in sports management or communications and marketing. The 2021 NBA Rookie of the Year has launched a four-year scholarship to Long Island University (LIU) in Brooklyn, New York as part of the Roc Nation School of Music, Sports and Entertainment.
20-year-old Ball says he wants to use education as a vessel to empower students to drive change within these industries. “I want to encourage the next generation of sports executives and leaders to follow their dreams just like I did to make it to the NBA,” he said.
“I’m fortunate to have the means and public platform to support others, so I want to do my part and create a lane for a student to get a strong education and be in a position to make a meaningful impact in the sports industry.”
The LaMelo Ball Scholarship will provide a unique opportunity for those who wish to pursue careers in sports marketing. According to the program’s website, the Roc Nation program will “allow students to gain experience in sports writing, reporting, broadcasting, promotion and digital marketing and collaborate closely with LIU’s alumni network, including sports reporters, publicists and experts.”
The scholarship is for students majoring in Sports Management or Sports Communication and Marketing and will be open to applicants with an SAT score of at least 1100, or students who have averaged a B grade or above. Contestants must also submit a written essay detailing where they see themselves in 10 years and how being a recipient of the LaMelo Scholarship will impact those plans.
According to a New York Times report, there has been little progress on leadership diversity across major sports leagues. The Roc Nation School of Music, Sports and Entertainment, which opened Fall 2021, has therefore put a focus on eliminating the barriers standing in the way of entering different industries for all students. In an effort to alleviate the financial burdens faced by students from underserved communities, the school has provided scholarships for 25 percent of its inaugural freshman class.
Ball says he decided to give back in hopes of helping the youth succeed. This isn’t the first time Ball has taken to philanthropic work. When he played in Australia, Ball donated one month of his salary to wildfire relief efforts in 2020
The LaMelo Ball Scholarship is currently open for application and will close on December 1. Prospective students can apply here.
Source: NewsOne
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