Rashard Hall: Elite athlete, elite entrepreneur

Rashard Hall '11 M'24 began his entrepreneurial journey in second grade, and that entrepreneurial spirit has continued to follow him throughout his time as a business student, professional athlete and during his career. So, it wouldn't be surprising that when Hall decided pursue an MBA at Clemson, he chose the MBA in Entrepreneurship and Innovation (MBAe) Program.

"I knew it would better equip me to serve others at a higher level. The MBAe program was the perfect fit to refine my passion for creating impactful solutions for athletes, centered around my core interest in entrepreneurship. This program not only prepared me to further develop and place hundreds of athletes and young professionals in their careers but also provided the education to scale these transformative efforts to the market," Hall explains. "For me, it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to build a sustainable business that supports the next generation of leaders. Now, I get to help others realize their big dreams, just as my company's mission suggests-Empowering Leaders of Influence Through Experiences."

Prior to starting his MBAe journey, Hall graduated from Clemson in 2011 with a marketing degree. As a student-athlete at Clemson, Hall became an All-American football player and later played professionally in the NFL. After his NFL career, Hall transitioned to the corporate world and eventually accepted a position as Clemson Football's Director of Career and Professional Development. In this role, he worked within P.A.W. Journey, a leadership initiative that holistically develops Clemson Football scholar-athletes through personal growth, life skills and professional development-all while working toward his MBAe degree.

This year, Hall won the culminating capstone course for the MBAe Program, the EnterPrize Competition, a pitch-style competition for MBAe students who present their business ideas to an audience of venture capitalists and entrepreneurs. Hall took home the first-place prize of $15,000, which he used to launch Scholar AthELITE. Scholar AthELITE is a unique program that stemmed from his time as a college athlete. It aims to help all athletes discover their career passions and practice their transferrable skills in the marketplace. Officially launched in July 2024, Scholar AthELITE focuses on developing student-athletes, professional athletes and college students holistically, preparing them to become leaders in both their careers and personal lives.

One of the services Hall's company offers is micro-internships. Micro-internships allow students to visit companies, meet entrepreneurs and learn from industry professionals in just a few short weeks, compared to traditional internships that last months. Currently, micro-internships within the program are available across the United States and internationally, with students visiting places from London to California.

Another example of the support that Scholar AthELITE provides includes Business Week trips, where students go to places like Los Angeles and New York City to explore a variety of industries and companies in one week. The company also assists athletic departments in creating player development programs that include resources like an annual curriculum and Name, Image and Likeness services.

"We are proud to have watched Rashard continue to grow Scholar AthELITE during his time in our program," says Greg Pickett, Director of the MBA Program. "His passion is what helped drive his EnterPrize pitch victory, and we wish him continued success with the mission his company supports."

In addition to launching his company, Hall has also recently published a book, The Scholar Athlete: How to Become an Elite Athlete and Professional. This book aligns with the principles he teaches students in his program, empowering them to strive for personal, professional and academic growth.

Having left Clemson to focus on growing his company, Hall is excited to continue making an impact on students. "I look forward to more student-athletes awakening to their potential as elite athletes and professionals and undergoing life-changing experiences," says Hall. "I'm excited for them to uncover their passion and purpose and become the leaders they were born to be."

Learn more about Clemson's MBA in Entrepreneurship and Innovation here.
Learn more about Scholar AthELITE at the website or social media, @SchAthElite.