Milwaukee Bucks, Marquette join forces to launch scholarship program to develop next generation of sports and entertainment leaders

Since joining the National Basketball Association as an expansion team in 1968, the Milwaukee Bucks have had close ties to Marquette University, a Jesuit school with a campus just west of the city’s downtown.

Most notably, the Bucks and Marquette shared a home court; first at the Milwaukee Arena, then at the Bradley Center, before both teams moved into brand new facilities for the 2018 season.

Plus, there’s no shortage of staffers who came to the Bucks after earning their degrees from Marquette, including the late John Stan Miller, who was hired as a part-time employee during the team’s formative years to change the front outdoor sign. letters and worked his way up the ranks to vice president over the next half century.

Now, the relationship between the two iconic Milwaukee institutions has taken another step forward with scholarships aimed at helping Marquette students pursue careers in sports and entertainment management.

The Marquette-Bucks Scholarship Program will be open to juniors and seniors participating in the school’s Urban Scholars Program, which offers up to 45 full-tuition scholarships to high school students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds in the Milwaukee area, many of whom are first-generation college students.

“This partnership with Marquette is an important way to continue to develop and develop Black and brown talent that will help shape the future of Milwaukee’s workforce,” said Bucks Diversity, Equity and Inclusion outreach manager Jakeim Jackson said. “Through this scholarship program, we will be able to provide students with the necessary tools, resources and access to succeed in their careers.”

Fellows work 10-20 hours per week. Responsibilities will include assigned departmental projects and assignments on the Bucks business side, as well as helping with career guidance through guest speakers, mock interviews and resume and LinkedIn profiles. Fellows will also volunteer in the Milwaukee community and join at least one employee resource group. To conclude the fellowship program, the fellow will make a presentation to the Bucks executive leadership team.

In addition to real-world experience, Fellows will receive a work stipend.

“We are grateful to the Bucks for the opportunity to provide members of the Urban Scholars program with a tremendous experiential learning opportunity,” said Paul Jones, Marquette vice president for relations. “Marquette and Bucks players will not only gain unique exposure to the sports industry through a premier tournament organization, they will also prepare them for their future careers with invaluable training, mentorship and experience.”

Marquette-Bucks first fellow Christian Gordon, a graduate of Rufoskin High School in Milwaukee with a major in corporate communications and entrepreneurship, will begin working with the team later this month and continue through 2022 -23 Season ends.