From left: John McDermott (Taylor Porter Partner and Chairman of the Board of Governors, Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Baton Rouge); LSU President F. King Alexander; Jim Clark, President and CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of America; and Pat Van Burkleo, President, Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Baton Rouge.

John McDermott, Taylor Porter Partner and Chairman of the Board of Governors of Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Baton Rouge, welcomed LSU President F. King Alexander and seven other honorees into the Boys & Girls Clubs Alumni Hall of Fame on Wednesday, May 11, during a ceremony at the Hilton Riverside in New Orleans.

The BGCA Alumni Hall of Fame “Class of 2016” inductees included: Chairman of the Board, CEO and President of the United States Tennis Association, Katrina Adams; President of Louisiana State University, F. King Alexander; Chief Financial Officer of Anthem Inc., Wayne DeVeydt; Head Coach of the New Orleans Pelicans, Alvin Gentry; Drummer, Jim Keltner; Professional Model, Damaris Lewis; Retired NBA Player, Willie Naulls; and Comedian, JB Smoove.

Since its inception more than 100 years ago, BGCA has provided kids and teens of all backgrounds with the opportunity to grow and achieve a great future. To celebrate the accomplishments of former Boys & Girls Clubs members, BGCA annually recognizes distinguished alumni during the organization’s annual National Conference, held this year in New Orleans.

Today, more than 4,100 Clubs serve nearly 4 million young people annually through Club membership and community outreach. Clubs are located in cities, towns, public housing and on Native lands throughout the country, and serve military families in BGCA-affiliated Youth Centers on U.S. military installations worldwide. They provide a safe place, caring adult mentors, fun, friendship, and high-impact youth development programs on a daily basis during critical non-school hours. Priority programs emphasize academic success, good character and citizenship, and healthy lifestyles. In a Harris Survey of alumni, 54 percent said the Club saved their lives. National headquarters are located in Atlanta.