Ron Brown Scholar Program Partners with the Los Angeles Clippers

The Ron Brown Scholar Program (RBSP) is excited to welcome our newest partner: The Los Angeles Clippers. This first-of-its-kind partnership will provide Ron Brown Scholars and Captains access to career and internship opportunities in the exciting world of professional sports. Students will gain access to potential positions across the range of basketball operations, from sports performance to analytics to IT, as well as the administrative side of the business. 

LA Clippers Chairman Steve Ballmer, President Lawrence Frank, and the rest of the organization’s leadership are passionate about building a front office whose diversity mirrors the country at large. RBSP is proud to join their innovative efforts to expose more talented young people to the myriad opportunities in sports operations.

The LA Clippers look forward to welcoming the Ron Brown Family to events hosted by the team across the country that align with the team’s travel schedule. Clippers leadership, including Assistant General Manager Mark Hughes, Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer Denise Booth, and Team Counsel Marcus Banks are eager to meet the RBSP community and help bring these two great organizations closer together. And in that spirit, RBSP is proud to welcome Marcus Banks to our Advisory Board.

A soft launch of the program began December 9-10, 2022, to coincide with the team’s game against the Wizards in Washington, DC. Ron Brown Scholars and Captains attended the game and toured the Smithsonian African American Museum the day before with members of the leadership team. 

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In Memoriam:
Cal LaRoche (1946–2025)

It is with profound sadness that we share the passing of Cal LaRoche, a brilliant and dedicated advisor and champion of the Ron Brown Scholar Program, who left us on Wednesday, April 9th, 2025.

Born in New York in January 1946, Cal graduated from Central State University in Ohio, where he joined the Eta Gamma Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity. His career spanned decades of leadership and innovation, beginning at the National Security Agency and continuing through key roles at IBM, SkyTel Communications, and The Orkand Corporation. 

A visionary entrepreneur, Cal later co-founded DC Ventures and Associates.

His commitment to service was unwavering. Cal chaired the Boards of Trustees at Suburban Hospital in Bethesda and Norwood School and served with distinction for 15 years on the Advisory Board of the Ron Brown Scholar Program. His leadership extended to the Beta Mu, Boulé Foundation Board, where he served as Chair, and to Patients For Affordable Drugs, where he was a founding board member and Treasurer.

An avid golfer and advocate for equity in the sport, Cal co-founded the Pro-Duffer/Carter Foundation Scholarship to promote diversity in golf. A long-time member of TPC Potomac at Avenel Farm, he was as passionate about creating opportunity as he was about the game itself.

Cal’s legacy is carried on by his beloved family: his mother, Lucille “Gloria” David; his wife, Esperanza, and their sons, CJ and Ethan; his former wife, Cheryl LaRoche; their daughters, Gina LaRoche, Renee LaRoche-Morris, and Danielle LaRoche; six grandchildren; and his siblings. His wisdom, warmth, and unwavering belief in the potential of young people will remain an enduring part of the Ron Brown Scholar community.

We are forever grateful for Cal’s enduring support, leadership, and love. He leaves behind a legacy of excellence, generosity, and deep humanity. He will be deeply missed.