( KNZA )--Signs will be erected at the three entrances to Hiawatha honoring a basketball legend and civil rights pioneer born in the community. 

The Hiawatha City Commission Monday evening approved the project honoring John McLendon Jr. after hearing a presentation from a group of Hiawatha Middle School 8th grade students lead by social science teacher Tim Abeita.

The commission voted to pay the more than 27-hundred cost for the three signs and to sign a permit application to install the signs on Kansas Department of Transportation right-of-way. 

The group of middle school students have been working on the project since last February after Milton Katz, author of a biography on McLendon called “ Breaking Away” spoke to students..( play audio )

That’s Molly Kettler, whose among six middle school students that have been working on the project.

Student Jessica Geiger outlined some of McLendon’s major accomplishments..

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The students proposed that the 5-by-10-foot signs designed by the University of Kansas be erected at three locations...( continue audio )

The signs will include a picture of the city clock tower building with McClendon in the background, his autograph and several of his major accomplishments.

The students obtained several letters of support for the project—including from K-U head basketball coach Bill Self and former K-U basketball standout Danny Manning.  They also received the blessing of his widow, Joanna, who currently lives in Cleveland, Ohio. McClendon died in October 1999.  

Several members of his family were present at the meeting, and voiced their appreciation for the efforts to honor McClendon.