James D. Hall, M.S. Ed
For more than 30 years James has dedicated his life and career to intercollegiate athletes and athletics. As a senior administrator and now college instructor, Hall has touched the lives of more than 5,000 student-athletes, beginning at Iowa State University, followed by The Ohio State University, and now New Mexico State University. His role in developing and preparing young men and women for life during and beyond college continues with an abundance of success stories—and countless acknowledgements from former students for the doors he helped open.
Before James’ journey became remarkable, it had humble beginnings. He was in just the 25th percentile of his high school class and managed only an 11 ACT score. But as a talented athlete, he found success, becoming one of Iowa State’s top 800-meter sprinters. Academically, however, he was plagued with many false starts. But James soon discovered the power of commitment and mentorship, and in 1992 he earned a bachelor’s degree in Speech Communication.
Thus motivation, he continued with his education, and was inspired by the words of a key professor named Dr. George Jackson, who made it a point to remind James that he only needed to look inward to find success, that he was a “Majority of One.” Soon, James created the Majority of One Program, which aimed to balance academics and athletics—particularly for minority student athletes. The response was so positive that before James even completed his master’s degree from Iowa State in 1995 (in Higher Education and Personnel Studies), he was hired to become the first black male academic counselor at The Ohio State University.
At OSU, James teamed up with Shawn Springs, a Buckeyes cornerback who would become the inaugural president of the Majority of One Program in 1995. Two years later, Shawn became a first-round NFL draftee, going to the Seattle Seahawks with the third overall pick. His tremendous gift of $100,000 helped establish the Shawn Springs Majority of One Postgraduate Scholarship in 2002.
As the Majority of One Program grows, James continues to draw inspiration from all corners: the letters from LeBron James with encouragement to “strive for greatness and everything will fall into place”; the words from San Antonio Spurs head coach Greg Popovich, counseling to “never settle”; and the photo of James’ uncle, Dr. Calvin James, meeting with President Nelson Mandela in 1994.
James will be the first to tell you that he’s been blessed. He has gained a wealth of knowledge, expertise and strategy from University Chancellors and Presidents, Conference Commissioners, Athletic Directors, NCAA Executives and community leaders. His athletic and academic career has also afforded him the opportunity to be a part of more than 100 Division 1 conference championship celebrations, a National Cross-Country Championship, a BCS Football National Championship, a NCAA Final Four Appearance, and even an NFL Pro Bowl.
James’ professional career has always been defined by the harmony between academics and athletics, the combination of classroom and playing field. And from this comes his ultimate vision, to ‘Pay It Forward,’ to educate the next generation of student-athlete leaders.
Our Team
LeCharles Bentley's
President, Majority of One Brands
NFL Senior Advisor
CEO & Founder, O-Line Performance
Bentley is a former college and professional football standout who was a center in the National Football League (NFL) for six seasons. He played college football at The Ohio State University, earning consensus All-American honors, and was recognized as the best center in the country receiving the Dave Rimington Trophy. The New Orleans Saints selected him in the second round of the 2002 NFL Draft, and he played professionally for the Saints and Cleveland Browns of the NFL. Bentley was a two-time Pro Bowl selection with the Saints.
Bentley was hired as NFL’s senior advisor of player performance and development in April 2021 and works with NFL executive vice president of football operations Troy Vincent on player performance and the development of enhancements, metrics and resources and the best practices to enhance the sport.
Bentley also works with NFL youth and high school football to grow the game and to expand the NFL Way to Play initiative, which seeks to protect players from unnecessary risk and bring about a culture change across all levels of football. Bentley has worked with NFL Way to Play since its inception, hosting clinics, enhancing the curriculum and creating myriad videos focused on assisting players and coaches with the best position-based drills for using proper technique.
LeCharles holds certifications in strength and conditioning, sports nutrition, FMS, Fascial Stretch Therapy and Olympic weightlifting. LeCharles is also Nike’s lead offensive line performance coach.
Shawn Springs
Executive Vice President, Majority of One Brands
CEO, Windpact
Shawn Springs is a former American college and professional football player who was a cornerback in the National Football League (NFL) for 13 seasons. He played college football at The Ohio State University, and earned All-American honors. He was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks third overall in the 1997 NFL Draft, he played professionally for the Seahawks, Washington Redskins and New England Patriots of the NFL, and was a Pro Bowl selection in 1998.
In 2002, Shawn Springs teamed up with James Hall, the Majority of One Program and The Ohio State University Department of Athletics and established the “Shawn Springs “Majority of One” Post-Graduate Scholarship” with the outstanding endowed of $100,000 shawn donated to “Pay It Forward.” Shawn was committed to leaving his legacy as he appreciated the educational teachings and mentorship he was provided as the was the first president of the Majority of One Program at The Ohio State University in 1995.
Today Shawn is the CEO of Windpact, a Software And Technology Company driven by innovation across all aspects of the product development process. Windpact utilizes their Software, Data and CAE, and Engineering Service to work with clients, solving in-house design challenges, developing new technologies, and building optimal product solutions. They create advanced software tools that bridge the gap between performance and design, enabling advanced manufacturing technologies such as 3D printing.
Windpact’s dynamic data & accurate CAE formulates an understanding of how materials truly perform to feed virtual design and simulations, unlocking powerful influence on product design to create a truly custom, optimized solution. Windpact also provides design & engineering development support functioning as an extension of their partners’ design and development teams. Their solutions can be optimized and integrated into partners’ products for commercialization.
LeCharles Bentley
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Shawn Springs
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