About Our Staff

Leigh Smith

Leigh Smith has been developing educational programs for nearly 30 years. Smith finished the development of Math Skills-N-Drills® in 2005 and began implementing it into different school districts and after school programs throughout the nation. Math Skills-N-Drills® is one of the most unique and innovative programs students have ever experienced. Smith’s extensive training in basketball combined with a Master of Science in Mathematics has made for an exciting program changing the way students learn.

Cleophas Hayes Jr.

Cleophas Hayes Jr. has degrees in Economics, Management, Marketing and Sales. He cares about education and helping others. He’s a firm believer that our students can achieve great heights with the proper information systems, resources platforms, and motivation!

Eric Duane “Cowboy” Robinson

Eric Duane “Cowboy” Robinson is a distinguished figure in grassroots basketball and player development in the United States. A proud alumnus of Hamilton High School, Robinson led the team to their first State Championship in 1991. He continued his basketball journey at Southern University at New Orleans, where he played a pivotal role in securing their first Conference Championship and a debut appearance at the NAIA Nationals.
Cowboy is truly dedicated to improving student achievement. He is committed to helping all children learn and reach their maximum potential.

Lucas Patterson

Lucas Patterson is a former professional basketball player who founded Minnesota Prep Academy in 2018 and currently serves as its head coach. Prior to that, he was the head assistant coach at Brooklyn Center from 2015 to 2018. In 2010, he founded Future Academic Ballers, an organization that has provided basketball training and mentorship to over 600 young participants in the past 13 years. During his tenure as a coach, Patterson has helped 50 student athletes earn college scholarships, including 12 Division One basketball student athletes in the past five years. Minnesota Prep Academy has graduated 100% of its high school participants under his leadership.

Shawne Brian Williams

Shawne Brian Williams was an American former professional basketball player. He played college basketball for the University of Memphis before being selected 17th overall in the 2006 NBA draft by the Indiana Pacers. Mr. Williams has joined the Math Skills-N-Drills team to reinforce the needs of exceptional creative learning programs that actually effectuate a change in our students’ desire to learn and their mathematics retention.