Organization: Horizon League

Position Title: McLendon Messaging Fellow

Reports to: Assistant Commissioner, Communications & Broadcasting

Location: Indianapolis, IN

Search Contact: Prodigy Search

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BACKGROUND

The McLendon Minority Leadership Initiative (MLI) is a year-long fellowship program designed to provide real-world experience for individuals pursuing careers in sports. Founded on the core values of John McLendon—Integrity, Education, Leadership, and Mentorship—the program places fellows within collegiate athletic departments and sports organizations nationwide to develop professional skills and industry experience.

Founded in 1979, Horizon League, Inc., is a NCAA Division I athletics conference comprised of 11 (soon-to-be 12) member institutions with a combined enrollment of around 140k, including nine (9) located in top-70 U.S. metropolitan populations. Members include: Cleveland State University, University of Detroit Mercy, University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, Indiana University Indianapolis, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Northern Kentucky University, Oakland University, Purdue University Fort Wayne, Robert Morris University, Wright State University and Youngstown State University. Northern Illinois University will join the League on July 1, 2026.

The League sponsors 19 intercollegiate sports and has a staff of ten full-time professionals. The League’s headquarters are located at 129 E Market St, Suite 900, Indianapolis, Indiana 46204. The League is an important part of Indianapolis’ vibrant sports scene, as the co-host of 14 NCAA Men’s and Women’s Basketball Final Fours, including the 2028 (women’s) and 2029 (men’s), with League staff serving in a leadership role on every Local Organizing Committee. In recent years, League staff have also volunteered for local events such as the Super Bowl, College Football Playoff National Championship Game, NBA All-Star Game, WNBA All-Star Game and USA Swimming Olympic Trials.

The League recently implemented a brand recharge capturing the primary essence of the League while showcasing core attributes.

The League embraces its positioning statement recognizing the powerful opportunity of Division I athletics: The Horizon League and our member schools develop nearly 4,000 student athletes for life. Through NCAA Division 1 competition and unique opportunities in major metropolitan cities, their athletic, academic and personal aspirations can be achieved. Because what they learn today will inspire who they become tomorrow. 

The League’s website, Horizonleague.org, provides information on the League’s history, as well as, current operations and events.

SUMMARY

The Messaging Fellow will report to the Assistant Commissioner for Communications and Broadcasting. In the areas of messaging and communications, this position will work with the Senior Associate Commissioner for Basketball & Analytics and the Director for Creative Content in delivering messaging and content that aligns with the values and brand of the Horizon League.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Serve as the primary communications contact for assigned sports.
• Produce content for the League’s website and social media channels including, but not limited to, press releases and game notes.
• Collaborate with messaging team and create content based on emerging trends in social media.
• Share stories of the Horizon League and its members through various initiatives on League platforms.
• Attend select championships and provide communications and social media coverage.
• Assist with the execution of League’s social media plan including creating, editing and publishing content across all social media channels.
• Maintain statistics and record books for assigned sports.
• Assist with student-athlete connection by traveling to campuses to assist with Life in the League content and attend League Student-Athlete Advisory Committee meetings.
• Assist the League on special projects and other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university.
• Must possess excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and experience with Adobe Creative Suite, specifically Photoshop, InDesign preferred.
• Proficiency in use and knowledge of all social media platforms.
• Travel and evening and weekend work is required.
• Editorial judgement for distribution of press releases, social media posts and website content.
• The League offers a flexible work structure; however, the successful candidate must reside in or relocate to the greater-Indianapolis area.

CHARACTERISTICS & TRAITS

• Capacity to juggle multiple responsibilities simultaneously in deadline-driven environment.
• Attention to detail, accuracy in all work and strong written and communication skills.
• Willingness to learn and grow professionally.
• Professional, optimistic, positive problem-solver.
• Ability to thrive in a dynamic, continuously changing college athletics landscape.
• The ability to think creatively for solutions and strategies.

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CONTACT INFORMATION

Founded in 2007, Prodigy Search, located in the New York City suburb of Freehold, NJ, boasts over 80 years of experience in the sports and entertainment business. As a renowned nationwide leader in senior-level executive search, Prodigy Search has honed its business principles and expertise, establishing itself as the largest boutique recruiting agency in North America. We recruit with integrity, purpose, and passion.