Cleo Hill, Jr. Named Head Coach at Cheyney University
July 31, 2003
Cleo Hill, Jr. has been appointed Head
Men’s Basketball Coach at Cheyney University of Pennsylvania
by University President W. Clinton Pettus.
Cleo Hill, Jr.
Hill, a native of Orange, NJ, and the son of a former NBA
player, has nearly 10 years of experience in coaching. Most
recently, Hill worked at Shaw University in Raleigh, NC, from
2000-2002 as the head Assistant Coach. In just two short seasons,
Hill helped turn the Bears into a powerhouse team. During his
first season, the team earned Co-Eastern Division Championship
honors and an overall mark of 27-4. A tremendous turn around
from 5-17 the previous season. The following season (2001-02),
marked the best in Shaw history, posting a 28-5 record, a Central
Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Eastern Division
Title, a CIAA Championship, a NCAA Division II South Atlantic
Championship and a Final Four appearance. In addition, the
Bears' Ronald Murray, was
named Division II Player of the Year and selected in the second
round of the NBA draft.
“Coach Hill has a tremendous amount of knowledge to
bestow on our young men,” commented Cheyney University
President W. Clinton Pettus. “I believe that he will
emphasize academics and well as athletics as he helps to develop
the young men who play on his team. I have every confidence
that he will do a great job as our men’s basketball coach.”
“I’m very excited about the opportunity given
to me,” stated Coach Hill. Cheyney has a lot of talent
and history associated with the basketball program. I look
forward to getting back to the Philadelphia area. I know we
will be successful.”
Prior to his tenure at Shaw, Hill was an Assistant Coach at
the University of Nebraska. He was responsible for recruiting
high school prospects, organizing scouting reports as well
as skill development and floor coaching. His 1999 recruiting
class was ranked 18th in the country.
From 1991-1994, Hill worked as an Assistant Basketball Coach
at his alma mater, Orange High School (NJ). In 1994, he helped
guide the team to victories in the State Championship and the
Tournament of Champions. He also worked for EKB Scouting Service
in Orange, NJ from 1992-1995 as a coach and scout.
Hill played professionally overseas in Australia for two seasons
(1990 & 1991) with the Swann Hill Flyers. Hill averaged
41 points and 8.3 assists per game during the 1991 season.
He was the second leading scorer in the team’s history
with a single game record of 55 points. Hill was also the MVP
for the league’s first All-Star game, scoring 24 points,
10 rebounds and 19 assists.
Hill’s collegiate career began in 1984 when he chose
to attend North Carolina Central University in Durham, NC.
He was a 1,000 point scorer and listed among the top 15 all-time
scorers in NCCU history. Hill served as captain of the squad
for all four seasons with the Eagles. His senior year, he guided
the NCCU to the finals of the South Atlantic Regional and was
named to the all-tournament team. Hill’s abilities on
the court were instrumental in turning NCCU’s team from
a 4-21 record his freshmen year to a 26-3 record his senior
season.
During his high school career, Hill was also a 1,000 point
scorer. He led Orange HS in scoring three consecutive seasons
and graduated as the third leading scorer all time. He was
selected to All-City, All-County and All-State teams.
Hill received his Bachelor of Arts in Physical Education in
1994 from North Carolina Central University. He is also a certified
personal trainer and has worked as a substitute teacher in
New Jersey as well as North Carolina.
Hill is the son of Cleo and Ann Hill. Cleo Sr., a retired
college basketball coach and athletic director, is a former
standout player at Winston-Salem State University. In 1961,
he became the first African American from a historically black
college and university to be drafted by the St. Louis (now
Atlanta) Hawks in the first round (8th overall) of the NBA
draft.
“Hill is a great leader,” commented Dr. Eve Atkinson,
Professor and Director of Athletics at Cheyney. “As a
multi year captain of his high school and college teams, Hill
has the respect of coaches and teammates alike. Throughout
his career, he has shown a commitment to excellence both on
and off the court. The entire Cheyney Community looks forward
to working with Coach Hill as he leads our men’s basketball
team to prominence in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference.
