Donor Spotlight: Bilal A. Salaam ’06, M ’24

In a conversation about his time at Kutztown University—and his own philanthropy— Bilal A. Salaam ’06, M ’24 spoke candidly. “I wouldn’t be where I am today if I didn’t have a scholarship offer,” he said.

For Bilal, it all began at Ash Park in the Rip City Basketball league. One year after leaving Delaware State University, he was spotted by KU’s Men’s Basketball Coach Bernie Driscoll, who quickly approached him. Soon, Bilal had a scholarship to attend KU.

“I didn’t even know that was possible,” Bilal shared; but it would only be the beginning.

At KU, Bilal majored in leisure and sport studies, a precursor to today’s sport management program. He then went on to play basketball as an international professional player in China, Hong Kong, Morocco, Switzerland, Sweden, Finland, Qatar, and Argentina. Throughout it all, he remained close with his former KU coach. 

“So much of basketball taught me about being disciplined, leading a team,” Bilal said, describing how Coach Driscoll helped him “add tools to the toolbelt” that he still uses today.

In 2021, Bilal returned to KU to serve in an administrative role while pursuing a master’s degree in student affairs in higher education. He also became the university’s Athletic Diversity and Inclusion Officer before later joining the University of Massachusetts Athletics as Director of Student-Athlete Development in 2024.

In the same year, Bilal created a scholarship with fellow alumni Jeffery Brickus ’05, Bobby Eberhart ’06, and Thomas E. “TJ” Man ’04. Today, the Kutztown University Men’s Basketball Alumni Scholarship supports a student who exhibits the traits of hard work, determination, and sportsmanship. It is especially meaningful coming from four former teammates who banded together in an effort to give back.

“It all comes full circle,” Bilal said, reflecting on his career and where he is today. “Being able to have these opportunities… It all started at KU.