Rashard Hall ’11 M’24, a former Clemson football player and NFL athlete, recently achieved a significant milestone in his entrepreneurial journey by winning the culminating capstone course for the Clemson MBAe Program with his company, Scholar AthELITE. Hall’s entrepreneurial spirit dates back to his childhood, and it has been a driving force in his career trajectory. His decision to pursue an MBA in Entrepreneurship and Innovation at Clemson was a natural fit, as it allowed him to combine his passion for creating impactful solutions for athletes with his interest in entrepreneurship.
Before embarking on his MBAe journey, Hall graduated from Clemson in 2011 with a degree in marketing. As a student-athlete, he excelled on the football field, earning All-American honors and later transitioning to a professional career in the NFL. After retiring from football, Hall entered the corporate world and eventually took on the role of Director of Career and Professional Development for Clemson Football. In this capacity, he worked within the P.A.W. Journey program, which focuses on developing scholar-athletes through personal growth, life skills, and professional development.
Hall’s success in the MBAe Program culminated in his victory at the EnterPrize Competition, where he presented his business idea for Scholar AthELITE. This unique program, officially launched in July 2024, aims to help athletes discover their career passions and develop their transferable skills for the marketplace. One of the key offerings of Scholar AthELITE is micro-internships, which provide students with the opportunity to gain industry experience in a condensed timeframe. Additionally, the program includes Business Week trips to major cities like Los Angeles and New York City, as well as player development programs for athletic departments.
In addition to launching Scholar AthELITE, Hall recently published a book titled “The Scholar Athlete: How to Become an Elite Athlete and Professional.” This book aligns with the principles he teaches in his program, empowering students to pursue personal, professional, and academic growth. As Hall continues to focus on growing his company and making a positive impact on students, he remains dedicated to helping student-athletes realize their full potential as elite athletes and professionals.
Overall, Rashard Hall’s journey from student-athlete to successful entrepreneur exemplifies the power of passion, perseverance, and purpose. His commitment to empowering the next generation of leaders through Scholar AthELITE serves as an inspiration to aspiring entrepreneurs and athletes alike. Through his innovative approach to athlete development and career preparation, Hall is making a lasting impact on the lives of students and athletes, helping them uncover their passion, purpose, and leadership potential.
