Cincinnati-Area Business Executive To Be Inducted Into South Atlantic Conference Hall of Fame

Former Mars Hill University Basketball Player and Trustee Chair To Receive Prestigious Honor

Mars Hill, NC (03/10/2023) — Mars Hill University is proud to announce that one of its distinguished alumni, Mike Kelly of Mason, Ohio, will be inducted into the South Atlantic Conference Hall of Fame with the Distinguished Alumni Award. This recognition honors Kelly's outstanding contributions to the world of sports, as well as his impressive career in the corporate world and his commitment to community service.

Kelly graduated from Mars Hill University in 1982, where he was a four-year member of the men's basketball team, scoring over 1,300 points in his career for the Lions, and averaging 11.7 points per game. He was an exceptional athlete who demonstrated remarkable talent and dedication, and his induction into the South Atlantic Conference Hall of Fame is a testament to his hard work and achievements on the court.

After graduating from Mars Hill, Kelly began a successful career in the corporate world with Macy's and Michelin, where he gained extensive experience in operations, human resources, finance, marketing, and sales. He worked and traveled throughout North America and internationally, earning recognition for outstanding performance and being designated as a High Potential Executive Leader.

Kelly and his wife Melinda founded Right Path Enterprises and Kelly Financial Planning in 2014, with the goal of teaching leader development and culture transformation by providing consulting, training, and coaching services with excellence and integrity.

Kelly has also been an active member of the community, serving in various leadership roles with Rotary International for over 24 years, including co-chair of the Board of Directors of Rotary's D.E.I. initiative and serving as District Governor of Southwest Ohio. He also served as chair of the Board of Trustees at Mars Hill University from January 2021 through December 2022.

Recently, Kelly authored a book titled "Leaderfluence: Secrets of Leadership Essential to Effectively Leading Yourself and Positively Influencing Others," which has received rave reviews for its insightful and practical advice on leadership.

The South Atlantic Conference Hall of Fame Banquet will take place as a part of the Conference's Spring Meetings in Greenville, S.C. on May 22, 2023. The South Atlantic Conference is an NCAA Division II athletic conference comprising 13 liberal and civic arts colleges and universities, similar in size and athletic philosophy. Since becoming eligible for NCAA Division II postseason play in 1993, the league has sent representatives from all of its sponsored sports to NCAA postseason play.

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Mike Kelly