27 May ESSEX COUNTY EXECUTIVE DIVINCENZO AND ESSEX COUNTY COLLEGE PRESIDENT BOAKYE DEDICATE THE ESSEX COUNTY COLLEGE ATHLETIC BUILDING AS THE “ESSEX COUNTY COLLEGE CLEO HILL, SR. PHYSICAL EDUCATION BUILDING” Naming Recognizes Mr. Hill’s Historic Role in NBA History and His Successful Career as Essex County College Basketball Coach and Athletic Director
Published on May 27, 2022
Newark, NJ – Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr. and Essex County College President Dr. Augustine Boakye dedicated the Essex County College Athletic Building as the “Essex County College Cleo Hill, Sr. Physical Education Building” on Friday, May 27th. A native of Newark, Mr. Hill was the first player from a historically black college or university to be drafted by an NBA team in the first round. After his professional playing career, he became a very successful men’s basketball coach and athletic director at Essex County College.
“Naming buildings or conference rooms and erecting plaques and statues has been our way of paying tribute to the men and women who have influenced the development of Essex County or our society. Cleo Hill, Sr. is one of those people who deserve to be remembered for their place in history and naming the Essex County Athletic Building after him is a fitting memorial,” DiVincenzo said. “Mr. Hill made history as a collegiate and professional basketball player, has been inducted into several Halls of Fame and enjoyed a successful career as a teacher, basketball coach and athletic director at Essex County College after his professional career ended,” DiVincenzo said.
“We are forever grateful for this honor,” said Cleo Hill, Jr. about the building being named after his father. “My father was passionate about basketball, he was passionate about winning but what he was most passionate about was grooming young men for their life after basketball,” he added.
“Mr. Hill dedicated his life to Essex County College. He remains with all of us today and his message to us is ‘If you are given any gifts, it is to help other people,’ “ Essex County College President Dr. Augustine Boakye said.
“For many young men, Cleo Hill was a mentor and role model. On the basketball court he taught teamwork and discipline; off the court he showed his students and players how the game could earn them scholarships and help them further their education. In the process, he influenced a multitude of young men who became community leaders, elected officials, entrepreneurs and professionals,” said Commissioner Rufus I. Johnson, who had Hill as a coach and joined with DiVincenzo to petition the College to name the athletic building after Hill.
“Isn’t it amazing that he was able to save so many lives because of his misfortune,” said Louis Grimsley, a captain of Hill’s 1973-74 basketball team, referring to the racism Hill encountered while playing in the NBA in the 1960s. “He saved me as a little boy by teaching me the game of basketball and he saved me a second time when he encouraged me to enroll in Essex County College after a serious injury,” he added.
“Cleo Hill was a master at the game of basketball and at instilling confidence in his players. He made men as he put us on our journeys of life,” said Russell Shuler, who was the captain of Hill’s 1974-75 team.
“Mr. Hill was a great coach, mentor and friend. He made sure we became great basketball players but he made sure we became great people too,” said Kim Fisher who was the captain of Hill’s 1975-76 team.
“No one could argue that this is a fitting tribute. The legacy of this iconic person will continue with this facility named in his honor,” said Essex County College Board of Trustees Chairwoman Marion Bolden.
“It is clear the reverence that we all have for Cleo Hill. The one word I will use is courage. I appreciate how he impacted the lives of so many students that he came in contact with,” said Essex County College Board of Trustees member Johanna Wright.
Born and raised in Newark, Mr. Hill attended Winston-Salem State University (formerly college) where he led his school to two consecutive Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association championships in his junior and senior years. At the time of his graduation, he was the second all-time leading scorer in school history and regarded as one of the best young basketball players in the nation.
His athletic prowess on the basketball court was recognized by the St. Louis Hawks of the NBA, which drafted him in the first round (and eighth overall) in 1961. The historic draft pick made Mr. Hill the first player from a historically black college or university to be drafted in the first round. Unfortunately, Mr. Hill faced a great deal of adversity during his one year with the Hawks, ultimately being benched when white players complained his scoring and after he protested against segregationist practices in NBA cities.
After playing several seasons with the Eastern League, Mr. Hill joined Essex County College as a teacher and men’s basketball coach, and then later as the athletic director. Mr. Hill enjoyed a successful coaching career, winning 489 games over 25 years and leading ECC to three Region 19 championships. More importantly, Mr. Hill was a mentor to generations of students.
He was elected to the CIAA Hall of Fame in 1994 and posthumously elected to the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame in 2017 and the Small College Basketball Hall of Fame in 2019. He passed away in 2015.