For over 33 years, Ed Hill, Jr., served as the sports information director at Howard University. When one mentions Howard University Athletics, the first person that comes to mind is Ed Hill. On June 30, 2017, that all changed when Hill closed his computer in Drew Hall for the last time. He spent more than three decades as a member of the staff at Howard University.
 
In talking about his retirement, the one thing that he was looking forward to being able to spend more time with his family more importantly his grandkids. 
 
Hill is set to be inducted into the CoSIDA Hall of Fame during the group's annual convention on June 28 in National Harbor, Maryland. The Hall of Fame inducts sports information professionals of distinction who's professional and personal deeds and accomplishments helped make possible the stature of the sports information profession today.
 
"It is indeed an honor to receive this prestigious award," Hill said. "It is very gratifying when your peers and colleagues recognize your contributions to the profession. I am indeed humbled and grateful to all the people who helped make this possible."
 
Since joining the staff at Howard in 1983, Hill has participated in several NCAA championships, among them men's soccer, men's and women's basketball and softball. An NCAA men's basketball regionals volunteer, he also worked an impressive 371 straight Howard football games from 1983 until he retired in 2017. In his career, he wrote more than 5,000 stories and releases, produced over 500 game day programs and media guides and was part of a children's book done in 1989 on interesting careers in sports.   
 
"Ed Hill has been an icon in the media relations industry as he's demonstrated a high level of competence and proficiencies," stated Dr. Dennis E. Thomas, Commissioner, Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC). "He's the consummate professional. He served Howard University with distinction and his profession with the highest level of professionalism. I wish Ed Hill continued success as he's deserving of all the accolades, awards and Hall of Fame honors."

Hill has made an impact not only on the students he wrote about but also on those who worked under his tutelage.
 
"Ed has been an integral part of my life since I was about 10 years old," said Romanda Noble-Watson, Sports Information Director at Claflin University. "I was truly honored to serve as his first-ever fulltime assistant at Howard and I would not be where I am in my career without him."
 
"Ed not only excelled in his role covering the many sports at Howard, but has taken athletic communications and sports information to another level by introducing women and ethnic minorities to the field," said Chevonne Mansfield, Director of Communication at LEAD1. "He is a great teacher, mentor and friend to many."
 
Hill has been an active member of CoSIDA since 1983 and a member of the Black College Sports Information Directors of America (BCSIDA). He is a former member of the CoSIDA board of directors and is a key member of the Special Awards Committee and Scholarship Committee.
 
Hill has attended all but four conventions since joining CoSIDA and has participated on and moderated several CoSIDA panels. During his tenure, he has received numerous awards, including the CoSIDA Bob Kenworthy Community Service Award (2005), the Mary Jo Haverbeck Trailblazer Award (2014), the CoSIDA 25-Year Award (2009), and the Lifetime Achievement Award (2017).  He is also a member of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Hall of Fame, the Howard University Athletic Hall of Fame, the Washington, D.C., Athletic Hall of Fame and the Cardozo High School Hall of Fame.
 
Well-known in the nation's Capital for his great work in the community, Hill tries to be modest, yet the fact is that he has helped many get to bigger and better places over the years. Ed has made a significant impact on Howard University, the HBCU community, and the Washington, D.C., area for over 30 years. As a former assistant of his at Howard, I am thrilled to congratulate a truly unselfish servant/leader.
 
Among his most recent honors, in February of 2017 he was recognized at the Washington, D.C. Pigskin Club with the Pigskin Career Community Service Award.
 
While directing the Howard sports information department, he has had assistants and several students to go on to work on all level of sports, including the NBA, NFL, ESPN as well as the NCAA Division I, II and conference offices.
 
In addition to Noble-Watson and Chevonne Mansfield (his second full-time assistant and a former CoSIDA board member), Hill can count on his 'mentoring tree' Teri Washington, Director of Communications and Marketing for DC Events and formerly of the NBA and Denver Broncos; Kevin Paige, assistant SID at Morgan State and former assistant at Coppin State; Bruce Speight, Senior Director of Media Relations for the New York Jets; Jim Trotter, ESPN and formerly of SportsIllustrated.com; Elena Bergeron, ESPN The Magazine; and Gus Johnson, Fox Sports, formerly of CBS Sports and many others.
 
It is clear that Ed Hill, Jr. has set precedence for those who learned under his tutelage as well as those who will follow in his footsteps at Howard.
 
"During his long, distinguished career, Ed Hill has been a powerful voice in sports information," said Bill Hamilton, retired SID at South Carolina State. "He has distinguished himself in every phase of our profession and has been a mentor to many who have gone on to standout careers. I count him as a dear colleague and great person and a friend."
 
Before coming to Howard, the Wilmington, N.C., native and the University of District of Columbia graduate was a staff writer for the Winston-Salem Chronicle and the Black College Sports Page. A onetime freelance writer for the Washington Post, Hill has also written stories that have appeared in the USA Today and the former NCAA News.

Testimonials:
Ed Hill is well-known in the nation's capital for his great work in the community. He tries to be modest, but he has helped lots of people get to bigger and better places over the years. Ed has made a significant impact on Howard University, the HBCU community, and the Washington, D.C., area for over 30 years. I am thrilled to congratulate a truly unselfish servant/leader. — James ("JB") Brown: Network Broadcaster, CBS Sports & News
 
Ed really showed me how to make the grind pay off in this business and instilled in me the keys to longevity. He helped me get a job at BET. I was let go from USA Today and was shooting my resume out all over the area. During the interview with BET, the hiring manager asked me about Howard. I talked about Ed and how he was one of my mentors, and they offered me the job. They said if I was a student of Ed's, I must be official. — Marcus Matthews, Audience Development, ESPN-The Undefeated
 
Mr. Hill is one of the most humble and unselfish people that I've ever met. As dedicated as he has been to Howard, he has been even more devoted to mentoring and developing young people not only at the university but throughout the D.C. metropolitan area. He's a tremendous role model and I can't think of anyone more deserving of this recognition. — Bruce Speight, Senior Director, Media Relations New York Jets
 
I can't think of a more deserving enshrinee, not only because of what Ed meant to the Howard University athletic department, but also because of what he meant to the students who came through his office. Students like me. Ed helped prepare me and others for successful careers in sports journalism. If you were serious about learning and working, he had a spot for you. Interestingly, as much as I valued the real-life work experience, it was our talks about life and family that stuck with me most. I am forever indebted to him and could not be happier that he's receiving this long-overdue honor. — Jim Trotter, NFL Media
 
Congratulations to Ed Hill on his induction into the CoSIDA Hall of Fame. It is certainly well deserved. Ed was particularly helpful to me when I was a reporter and later the sports editor at the Hilltop. He taught me how to craft a game story properly and was always there as a resource when I needed his help. But my story is not unique. Ed helped generations of Bison journalism students, both when they were on campus and after they began their professional careers. And he made sure we looked after each other, too. That was all over and above the incredible job he did promoting and documenting the achievements of Howard athletes. It's great to see his commitment and devotion honored with his induction. — Stan Verrett, ESPN
 
Mr. Hill is the person who taught me how to navigate the sports world and he really pushed me, because he saw greatness in me and he showed me that with hard work and dedication I could succeed in life. He would be there for me if I needed something even if it was in the wee hours of the morning! There isn't a single person who worked harder or who cared more about the development of the youth, which he calls the future of our universe. He's the last of a dying breed. I always told Mr. Hill that they don't make them like him anymore. He's truly one of a kind and I want to congratulate him on making yet another hall of fame! — Chuck Walton, Broadcaster, Golden State Warriors
 
I am delighted to learn of Ed's induction into the CoSIDA Hall of Fame and pleased to know his profession appreciates him as much as we do. Ed is a thoughtful and caring man with high energy and considerable talent. He served Howard University for over 30 years and his efforts have been invaluable to the sports information profession and to the Washington, D.C. area. Ed isn't just a worthy recipient of the honor, he is an exemplar of all it stands for. — Mike Wilbon, ESPN