Basketball, connections, and youth empowerment are three ways to describe the Hillside Connection enrichment program. Founded by local Colorado Springs resident Terrell Brown to leverage the game of basketball and create pathways to opportunity for youth in Southeast Colorado Springs, Hillside Connection is a widely respected and admired program within the community for its positive influence on youth. Today, Hillside’s relationship with UCCS now includes a scholarship.  

“It is a blessing to see the Hillside Community Scholarship Fund come to fruition thanks to Craig Smith and the UCCS College of Business,” said Terrell Brown, CEO and Founder of Hillside Connection. “Opportunities as such have the potential to change the trajectory of kids’ lives in the Southeast Colorado Springs community for years to come.” 

The Hillside Connection Scholarship is an award for undergraduate students enrolled in the College of Business and will support aspiring students involved with Hillside Connection.  

“We created the Hillside scholarship to create pathways for very hardworking resilient youth from the Hillside community such that they have an opportunity to attend college at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs, College of Business,” said Craig Smith, Hillside Connection board member and UCCS alum. 

By joining forces, the UCCS College of Business and Hillside Connection are investing in the future of students while ensuring that education remains accessible.  

To support the Hillside Community Scholarship Fund, visit this link: https://giveto.uccs.edu/campaigns/48560/donations/new?designation_id=d0060443&?a=8720900

About the UCCS College of Business

The UCCS College of Business was established in 1965 and has more than 1,300 undergraduates and 350 MBA students. The College of Business and Administration awards the Bachelor of Science in Business and Bachelor of Innovation degrees. The Graduate School of Business Administration awards the Master of Business Administration, Master of Science in Accounting and Executive Doctor of Business Administration degrees. More than 10,000 alumni of the College of Business live and work around the world. For more information, visit uccs.edu/business.  

About Hillside Connection 

Founded in March 2017 and incorporated as a 501(c)(3) public charity in March of 2019, Hillside Connection (HC) was established to “leverage the game of basketball to create pathways to opportunity for kids in Southern Colorado Springs.” The guiding principle is anchored in the belief that all children should be afforded the opportunity to participate in high quality programming. They believe in a five-tiered approach towards youth development, consisting of five pillars to success: sports development, enrichment activities, community engagement, competitive play, and family support services. Since inception, more than 750+ youth have participated in HC programming. The organization serves youth girls and boys (grades 1 – 8) with a strategic focus on enhancing “pathways programming” for our current high school participants. All programming is donation based. Scholarships are available for all youth in the program. For more information, visit https://www.hillsideconnection.org.