Scholarships from Hawks are ‘surprise’

Spelman College, Morehouse College and Clark Atlanta University have received a “surprise” gift from the Atlanta Hawks in honor of Grant Hill, according to a press release. The Hawks made the contributions to the Atlanta University Center institutions to recognize Hill, vice chair and part owner of the Hawks, being inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

Steve Koonin, CEO of the Hawks, surprised Hill on Spelman’s campus on Aug. 30 with the gift that will benefit 33 students across the AUC. Thirty-three is Hill’s career-long jersey number.

“Grant Hill has been a living emblem of investing in communities and people, including students attending HBCUs,” said Todd Greene, executive director of the Atlanta University Center Consortium. “On behalf of our member institutions, the Atlanta University Center Consortium is grateful for the Atlanta Hawks’ gift of scholarships to our students that celebrates and recognizes a great living legend.”

A seven-time NBA All-Star and two-time NCAA champion, Hill values the legacy and excellent outcomes of historically black colleges and universities, particularly because HBCUs give many black students voices and paths to success they may not have otherwise had.

“Education is something that is very important to me and to my family. What my wife and I have tried to do is to give back through our philanthropy in the world of education,” said Hill during the event.In 2015, Hill became part of the ownership team of the HawksPAMELA