DURHAM, N.C. – Duke's Marcus Hilliard is one of five recipients for the 13th annual John McLendon Minority Postgraduate Scholarship Awards as announced today by the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) and the John McLendon Minority Scholarship Foundation. Hilliard was honored along with Stephanie Baugh (Kansas), Orlando Gunn (LSU), Jacqueline Leung (Denver) and Jaleesa Rhoden (Georgia).

Hilliard arrived at Duke in October of 2009 and has worked as a marketing assistant, assistant ticket manager and staff specialist for administration. He is currently pursuing a master's degree in physical education - athletics administration at North Carolina Central University and is also active in; the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, The Young Professional Experience (TYPE), Black Coaches and Administrators of America (BCA), Habitat for Humanity and John Avery's Boys and Girls Club. Hilliard earned an undergraduate degree in communication studies from the University of Tennessee and was a student equipment manager for the Vols' football program. He was also an active member of Alpha Phi Omega Fraternity, Inc., UTK chapter of NAACP and the Student African-American Brotherhood (SAAB). Not only was he active on campus, he also volunteered in the community with the Knox County Boys and Girls Club and the Love Kitchen.

In the spring of 2012, Capital One partnered with the McLendon Minority Scholarship Foundation to endow one of the five $10,000 scholarships being presented. The winners will each receive a $10,000 grant to be used towards postgraduate studies in athletics administration. Funding for the scholarship program has been provided in part by the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA); the Cleveland Cavaliers; Major League Baseball (MLB); the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC); the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA); the National Basketball Association (NBA); the National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA); and Sears, Roebuck and Co.

Minorities (as defined by federal guidelines) who intend to pursue a postgraduate degree in athletics administration are eligible for these scholarships. Students were required to have a minimum grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale and have demonstrated leadership qualities on an institutional or community level.

About the John McLendon Minority Postgraduate Scholarship Program
The John McLendon Minority Postgraduate Scholarship Awards are presented to senior-level minority students who intend to pursue a graduate degree in athletics administration. If you have any questions regarding this program, please visit www.mclendonminorityfoundation.com.

About NACDA
NACDA, now in its 48th year, is the professional and educational association for more than 6,500 college athletics administrators at more than 1,600 institutions throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico. More than 2,300 athletics administrators annually attend the NACDA Convention. For more information on NACDA and the 13 professional associations that fall under its umbrella, please visit www.nacda.com.