COLORADO SPRINGS, Colorado (Sept. 27, 2024) – The USA Basketball Foundation today announced the third Torch Leadership in Sport Mentoring cohort. A fully funded program, Torch will run from Sept. 2024 to May 2025.
Torch provides opportunities for minority students to be mentored by USA Basketball executive staff with the goal of empowering the next generation of BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and people of color) leaders in sport by introducing them to opportunities at USA Basketball and other sports-related entities.
“The USA Basketball family is honored and excited to welcome the third Torch Leadership in Sport cohort,” said Jennifer Lynne Williams, USA Basketball Foundation chief development officer. “Each year, the immense value this program offers becomes more evident, with a growing number of applicants eager to join. This year’s cohort was selected from an impressive pool of 156 candidates. I am looking forward to supporting each member of the cohort throughout the program as it is a priority for us positively impact the students in real time.”
The 2024-25 Torch cohort includes:
- Lee Allen, Prairie View A&M University (senior)
- Uche Chukwuezi, Fayetteville State University (graduate student)
- Anthony George, Morehouse College (senior)
- MiMi Harris, Albany State University (junior)
- Tavious Mattox, Grambling State University (senior)
- Kennedy Richardson, Florida A&M University (junior)
- Brindice Rodriguez, Virginia State University (senior)
- Terrill Smith, Florida A&M University (junior)
- Tressa Willingham, Tennessee State University (senior)
“Through two cohorts, the USA Basketball Foundation’s Torch Leadership in Sport Mentoring program has proven to be an invaluable experience for students interested in careers in sports,” said Gen. (R) Martin E. Dempsey, chair, USA Basketball Board of Directors. “The environment around sports fosters personal growth and endless opportunity. I wish the new cohort the best as they learn life lessons, character development and much more through basketball in pursuit of making positive impacts.”
In addition to virtual mentoring opportunities with their USA Basketball mentor, students will hear from other industry leaders and have additional in-person learning opportunities over the duration of the program.
Application requirements included having a minimum GPA of 3.0; having a junior, senior or graduate-level standing at an HBCU, Hispanic-serving institution or AANAPISI (Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions); and submission of a resume, cover letter and letter of recommendation.