Dominic Hill: Family & Football
10/3/2017 3:43:00 PM | Football
From Buffalo Game Program
Most NCAA Division I athletes would agree that balancing the time consumption of being a student-athlete can amount to a busy day-to-day grind. Kent State redshirt sophomore and defensive lineman Dominic Hill has lived that grind for nearly three years. Hill originally hails from Fort Worth, Texas and is a product of Boswell High School. When he arrived at Kent State, he didn't know anyone.
"After I came here, my girlfriend (Taylor Allen) found out she had family up here in Wellington, Ohio and she ended up coming to Kent with me which was nice," said Hill.
Hill has gotten himself nicely acclimated to Kent State now and has recently added a new dynamic to the role of a student-athlete by becoming a new father.
"My sophomore year, around Thanksgiving, we found out my girlfriend was pregnant," said Hill. "I was really immature at the time, but it changes your whole outlook on everything and makes you grow up so fast."
There is a lot that comes with being a full-time college student, a Division I football player and a father all at the same time.
"We talked and he knew that he was going to have to mature," said defensive line coach Colin Ferrell. "Being where you're supposed to be, being on time and planning ahead are all important."
As the days grew closer towards the birth of Hill's son, it was hard not to have it on his mind during summer workouts. His life was about to change dramatically and it was steadily on his mind.
"I was at workouts not knowing if I was going to get a phone call or not," said Hill. "I had bad anticipation each day but luckily summer sessions ended in time to where I was able to go home to Texas before She (Taylor) had the baby."
Hill's son, Braxton was born on July 28, at a healthy seven pounds and six ounces, but before too long the doctors realized something wasn't right.
"We were preparing to go home and the doctors noticed that Braxton was really yellow and said he might have Jaundice and he ended up losing two pounds," said Hill. "It was a scare being new parents because you don't really know what is wrong."
Hill was supposed to return to camp with the football team shortly after his son's birth, but after talking to Head Coach Paul Haynes he was able to stay with his family to make sure everything was going to be okay. After Braxton was given some supplements, he was able to gain his weight back and finally go home for the first time.
Now that Hill has returned to campus, he is learning about the third aspect of his busy schedule, being a new dad. With his family now in Kent and the nearby support of friends and teammates, Hill has been able to settle in.
"It is nice that Taylor and Braxton live with me now," said Hill. "Taylor is a savior and she does so much for us. I couldn't be more grateful to have her." Hill explained that "The biggest challenge of being a new dad is waking up every two hours to feed him and sometimes looking at my phone thinking man I have practice in two hours."
Hill is in the midst of a very busy season as he embarks on a new chapter in his life, but he is ready for the challenge and is even happier with his life now.
"Now I have an even bigger reason to get up for practice. I have a reason to go to class and I am getting done what needs done, which is getting my education," said Hill.
Ferrell gave him some praise and has noticed a change in his approach.
"It is hard to change overnight, but I think he is in a better place mentally and is more mature than he was before. The habits of doing the right thing are making him a much better player," said Ferrell.
Hill looks to continue his success on and off the field with new excitement and challenges on tap for this season with the Golden Flashes and at home with Braxton.
