About Founder

Meet Our Founder: Oris “Dino” Smiley

 Everybody can be great… because anybody can serve.  You don’t have to have a college degree to serve.  You don’t have to make your subject and verb agree o serve.  You only need a heart full of grace.  A soul generated by love.

~Martin Luther King, Jr. 

Dino Smiley, Founder of Drew League Foundation

Oris “Dino” Smiley is the director of the Drew League and founder of the Drew League Foundation. Dino is the guardian angel of this league that he took over from league founder, Alvin Willis, in 1985 and has been committed to continuing its mission ever since.   For the past twenty years Dino Smiley has directed the Drew League, which is certified by the NBA and NCAA.

He’s done such a great job that even the local L.A. County Sheriff, Lee Baca, was seen recently at the Drew commenting on the stabilizing influence that this place has had on its local citizens. Incredibly, Smiley has been able to get local gang factors to agree for years to put their differences aside surrounding the location near Charles Drew Junior High that is located on the corners of Compton Ave. and Firestone Boulevard. Gang members have found a way to live in peace as a way of respecting each other and honoring what goes on in the gym. The Drew League has worked miracles in this community for 30 years.  Dino Smiley and fellow foundation board members are committed in being actively involved in the community.

Check out Drew League Foundation Founder discuss on the league and foundation on ESPNLA!