CANTON – In late June, the Malone University track & field, women's golf, and men's lacrosse programs - in partnership with the Canton City School District, hosted the first Pioneer Leadership / Exploratory Sport Camp.
 
The camp strategically featured non-traditional sports — golf, track and field, and lacrosse — and catered to students in third through sixth grades. Students who were enrolled in the Canton City School District were given the opportunity to attend the camp for free through an American Rescue Plan Act grant from the city of Canton.
 
The success of that camp has led to the launch of a newly created role within the athletic department. Mark McClure will now transition to the title of Community Outreach Director.
 
"I am excited about this new direction God is calling me in," McClure said. "I truly believe that we are positioned in a strategic way where this new initiative can benefit the members of our entire community. Our camp this past summer was a great success with over thirty kids from our community getting the opportunity to participate in sports they may have been unfamiliar with previously. Our plan is to build on that foundation moving forward with some exciting after-school programming."
 
McClure, who has served as the track & field head coach for the last fourteen seasons, is taking on this newly created position where he will be responsible for networking with Canton City and Stark County youth to provide leadership development and athletic programming.
 
"Mark has faithfully led our track & field program for the past fourteen years," Director of Athletics Tanya Hockman stated. "Malone's mission to serve and mentor students will be actionable with our new community outreach initiative. With the transition, Mark will be at the forefront of the youth program launch, embracing a new role within the department and maximizing his coaching experiences and passions."