501(c)(3) nonprofit · Est. 2025 · New Jersey · Pennsylvania
SCHOLARS ELITEBasketball Academy

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Our Story

Built on a belief.

Young women deserve access to the same opportunities, coaching, mentorship, and leadership development that have historically been available to only a select few.

Who We Are

More than basketball.

Scholars Elite was founded to build more than basketball players. We are building future college graduates, business leaders, coaches, entrepreneurs, and community leaders. Basketball simply provides the classroom.

We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, established in 2025, serving athletes across New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Our teams compete at the highest level of girls grassroots basketball, and our standard is the same whether a player is 13 or 17.

Mission

To remove barriers and create opportunities for girls who are willing to work, through elite coaching, academic guidance, mentorship, leadership development, and national competition.

Vision

A future where every talented young woman, regardless of financial circumstances, has access to world-class coaching, educational opportunity, mentorship, and a lifelong network committed to her success.

Our Values

What we stand on.

01

Scholarship

We value education, character, and growth on and off the court.

02

Elite Development

We train with purpose and hold ourselves to the highest standard.

03

Team First

We compete together, trust each other, and win together.

04

Discipline

We do the work when no one is watching.

05

Excellence

We pursue greatness in everything we do.

Leadership

Built by people
who've been there.

A staff that teaches the game the way the next level expects players to know it, and develops the person at the same time.

Scholars Elite coaching staff
Executive Director

Sal Racobaldo

Executive Director of Scholars Elite. Leads day-to-day operations, schedules, communication, registration, logistics, and family support so the program runs with structure and consistency.

Director of Basketball, Recruiting & Player Development

Keil Moore

Leads basketball operations, college recruiting, and player development across Scholars Elite, aligning staff, curriculum, recruiting standards, and long-term athlete growth.

Assistant Director, Community Relations

Kevin Slaughter

Supports the program's relationships with families, schools, and community partners across the region.

Director · 15U & 16U Head Coach

Chris Dawley

Leads the 15U and 16U groups, building the bridge from varsity potential to recruiting-ready production through skill growth, offensive organization, defensive habits, and competitive maturity.

8th Grade Head Coach

Bernie Hynson

Leads the 8th grade group and helps establish the foundation before high school: pace, skill discipline, toughness, communication, and the habits that prepare players for the Scholars standard.

Player Development & Court Coaches

Court Coaches

Tiffany Hammond, Katlyn Racobaldo, Zaire McNeal, Christian Diaz, and Andrew Racobaldo support skill stations, small-group teaching, practice flow, and daily accountability across the gym.

The Standard

Bigger Than The Game

Every staff member owns the standard. We teach the game, develop the person, and make sure every rep connects back to growth, accountability, and opportunity.

Board of Directors

Stewardship for the long run.

A great organization is built by people who believe in something larger than themselves. Our board provides strategic oversight, financial stewardship, and long-term vision so Scholars Elite keeps expanding opportunity for young women.

Board roster coming soonBoard member profiles will be published here.
Get Connected

Start the conversation.

Families exploring the program, college coaches, partners, and volunteers: tell us who you are and we'll route you to the right person on staff.

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