COLORADO SPRINGS, Col. --- Norfolk State senior setter Sydney McCree has been selected to the USA Basketball Foundation's Torch Leadership in Sport Mentoring cohort, announced by the organization on Thursday afternoon.
 
"I am blessed for this opportunity to be apart of this program," McCree said. "To be selected among more than 230 applicants is an amazing opportunity. I am going to take this program and use it to learn even more about leadership both on the volleyball court and off the court."
 
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 continued value of the Torch Leadership program is evident not only in the accomplishments of our mentees but also in the continued and growing interest in this program as a marquee opportunity for young people," Jennifer Lynne Williams, USA Basketball Foundation chief development officer said. "Over the last three years, it's been a pleasure to get to know each of our Torch alumni while watching them move on to amazing opportunities. Many of these students have gone on to earn fulltime positions in sports, earn acceptance into top graduate schools and find other ways to pursue their passion."
 
McCree is one of three student-athletes selected from the MEAC to take part in the program. She is also the first student-athlete to take part in the program at Norfolk State.
 
"I want to personally congratulate Sydney on a great accomplishment," Norfolk State volleyball head coach Kathy Bullock said. "She's extremely talented, reliable, determined and has great support around her. I look forward to seeing her progress and becoming a successful young woman."

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.
 
"I'm going to use this program to help further my career and gain more knowledge about student athletes," McCree said. "This opportunity will help me finish my senior year on the volleyball court, and jump start my career."
 
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