Today we’d like to introduce you to Daniel Adam-abdiyah
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Dallas Select Recruits was founded by educators and organizers in DFW, to address the gap in students’ retention and interest in academics. As a teacher, I noticed this decline firsthand and began asking questions and learning more about my students and their interests. Our goal was to re-engage youth in school while teaching leadership, discipline, and service.
We noticed much of our youth are influenced by what they are being exposed to. With social media being their go-to, we wanted to place something positive, right in their face. Our children love being engaged with what’s around them — it’s called fitting in or being accepted by the norm. We wanted to make way for healthy and uplifting trends.
What started as extracurricular activities grew into a mentorship program, including athletic competitions, educational workshops, and community outreach. Our mission is to equip future generations with knowledge, strength, and love to spread through our society.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
As a nonprofit, many people appreciate the idea but often lack the time to get involved. People naturally want to see the return on their investment and understand what they’re committing to. With DSR, we face challenges similar to navigating politics—parents and coaches often stay loyal to other organizations, which is beyond our control. Our focus remains on those who genuinely support community development.
We’ve faced significant adversity—limited resources, socioeconomic barriers, and personal missteps. I’ve missed opportunities but learned valuable lessons from them. Building something from the ground up requires unwavering faith. The vision may be clear, but the journey is often rough. Yet, hope keeps us moving forward, allowing us to embrace mistakes and try again. I’m blessed to be put in this position, and grateful for the hardships that have shaped these moments. We all continue to learn something new each day.
Has the road been smooth? Not at all. But nothing worthwhile ever is. Trusting the plan, going against the grain, and challenging the status quo has been far from easy, but it’s part of the process.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’ve been an athlete since third grade but never knew what I wanted to do. I didn’t enjoy school, but followed the traditional path and pursued a kinesiology degree while playing rugby at UNT. Towards my final semester, I became a counselor at a faith-based summer camp in Tyler, which changed my perspective.
The camp pushed me to see life beyond sports, becoming a mentor, big brother, and caregiver—roles I never imagined. I returned to campus and switched my major to focus on liberal studies.
After graduating, I still didn’t have clear direction but there was a passion for helping and creating. Unable to find steady work, I traveled playing rugby and worked odd jobs. Four years later, a life-changing phone call led me to coaching and teaching, fulfilling the purpose that summer camp planted in me.
Working in education, we all wear many hats. I’ve always been a creator—of art, opportunities, and relationships. As an educator, my students and athletes know me for being fun, relatable, and able to build strong connections with them. I’m proud of creating an environment where they can grow, while providing the tools they need to continue through the challenges of life.
My character, dedication, and passion for growth has set me apart, which keeps our team in our own lane. I want to inspire our team to achieve success through stewardship, not by copying others.
Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
We’ve invested personal finances into opportunities we believe in, despite the risks. Our rugby program is heading to Houston soon without external support, but we’re grateful to make it happen without worry.
Building something from the ground up can challenge employment and stability, as it requires significant time and dedication. For some, submitting to others may seem safe. To me, when it doesn’t align with your purpose, it’s more of a constraint—especially when it’s unsettling inside.
Risks often lead to greater rewards, but the more you find humility in the vision, the greater your faith. And with greater faith comes greater blessings—sometimes intangible, but always valuable in its purpose. I’m 100% not a risk-taker. I’ve lost lots of relationships and money, taking risks. I’ve learned from the damage I’ve caused, but I won’t hesitate to take a leap of faith.
Pricing:
- Many of our events are free and open to the public, but we do provide organized youth sports, as well as our mentorship program and workshops at a membership cost. Registering with sports provides access to our mentorship.
- Our sports consist of football, basketball, soccer, boxing, as well as rugby from $40-165.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.dallasselects.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dallasselects
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elitedsr
