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About Dr. Eley

Dr. Donald Hill-Eley is a transformational leader, thought-provoking speaker, and developer of young men. For twenty-five years, he has developed athletic programs that have positively transformed the lives of countless young men.

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Being the son of teen parents, his grandmother raised him in an income-challenged household; Dr. Hill-Eley understood at an early age how impactful education and opportunity came to be on the trajectory of one's life. His captivating professional and academic prowess is infectious! He strives daily to instill this valuable trait in the students and athletes he encounters. On the field, he runs a program based on principles that resonate beyond the field of play. As the head football coach at Morgan State University for 12 years and Alabama State University for four years, Dr. Hill-Eley developed a stable structure that saw dramatic increases in graduation and post-secondary work. He currently serves as the running backs coach at ACC Coastal competitor Georgia Institute of Technology. In addition, he is a member of the American Football Coaches Association and sits on voting committees for ranking to include FCS All-American selections.

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Dr. Hill-Eley has developed many men who have had successful National Football League (NFL) careers. Some of the most notable are Visanthe Shiancoe (Minnesota Vikings), Mike Robinson (Green Bay Packers), Landon Roberts (current roster - Miami Dolphins), and 1st round draft pick and present Houston Texan Tytus Howard. Dr. Hill-Eley coached and developed Heisman Trophy winners Doug Flutie and Andre Ware during his tenure in the Canadian Football League (CFL) with the Toronto Argonauts. His favorable impact on young men comes from the effects others had on him. He diligently works off the field in the community helping young men understand manhood, scholarship, perseverance, and the importance of uplifting others. He spends countless hours assisting young men with the same challenges he dealt with as a child with advice for life and how to make it beyond their current circumstances.

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Dr. Hill-Eley is instrumental in organizing events across the country that create college access. He works with the city government to bring annual college access and football showcase events to St. Louis and Detroit metro areas. The events guide students through the application and financial aid process of obtaining college access. It happens with a football showcase that draws Division I and II coaches from around the country. Dr. Hill-Eley is proud to say that this event has changed many students' lives and believes that access is truly the first step to student success.

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He earned his Bachelor's in Sociology from Virginia Union, Master's in Counseling from Hampton University, and Doctorate from Morgan State University in Higher Education Administration. He is active in the mental health community serving as an ambassador for the Jason Foundation, Inc., and is a founding board member of C&C Advocacy, Inc. Dr. Hill-Eley is a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., and Prince Hall Mason.

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One of his most significant accomplishments was finding his wife Kelley and raising their sons Ayinde and Jacob.

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