Rick Holifield serves as the Founder and CEO of Game Plan Education Group, bringing more than 25 years of experience as a strategic leader in high-functioning independent schools across the country. Most recently, he served as the Assistant Head of School and Chief Operating Officer at Providence High School in Burbank, California, where he led a team of senior administrators, restructured schoolwide systems, created innovative programming, and co-chaired the institution’s primary strategic planning process.
Previously, Rick served as the Director of Community Life during his second tenure at The Walker School in Marietta, Georgia, having earlier served as the Assistant Head of Upper School from 2017 to 2020. Prior to his return to Georgia, he was the inaugural Dean of Diversity, Inclusion, and Community Engagement at The Lawrenceville School in New Jersey. In this role, he chaired Lawrenceville’s foundational DEI Strategic Plan, Belonging, Building, Becoming, and spearheaded the launch of the school’s Hutchins Center for Race & Social Justice in 2021.
A sought-after voice in the educational landscape, Rick has been a keynote conference speaker for several prominent national and regional organizations. Throughout his career, he has also lent his expertise to numerous influential advisory boards. He serves on the Advisory Board for the National Humanities Center and contributes as a mentor for the Sphere Institute Fellowship. His additional board leadership includes serving on the National Center for Civil and Human Rights Advisory Board and the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) People of Color Conference Planning Committee. He has also chaired both the Commission on Diversity for the Connecticut Association of Independent Schools and the Atlanta Area Association of Independent Schools’ Diversity Consortium. Reflecting his commitment to community development, Rick is a former board member for the Metro Atlanta YMCA and is a Certified Mediator through the Justice Center of Atlanta, registered with the Georgia Supreme Court.
Before transitioning into educational leadership, Rick spent a decade as a professional baseball player. Drafted out of Ganesha High School in Pomona, California as a top prospect by the Toronto Blue Jays, his athletic career spanned 10 years within the Toronto Blue Jays, Philadelphia Phillies, Boston Red Sox, Pittsburgh Pirates, and Atlanta Braves organizations.
An experienced entrepreneur, Rick previously owned and operated Rick Holifield’s Triple Crown Sports Complex, a 22,000-square-foot athletic facility in Stamford, Connecticut. He is also the principal of MRH Consulting Group, LLC, which specializes in executive leadership coaching and HR best practices for both the private sector and educational institutions.
Rick holds a bachelor’s degree in Theology from Life Christian University and a master’s degree in Ministry-Christian Counseling from Jacksonville Theological Seminary. He is a graduate of the Harvard Graduate School of Education Principals Center and holds a professional certification in Executive Leadership Coaching from Harvard University Continuing Education.
He is a proud member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and the Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association. Rick is the proud father of two sons—Elijah and Caleb Holifield, who serve alongside him as Co-Founders of Game Plan Education Group—and the granddad to Maylan, Camilla, and Emory.
Before transitioning into educational leadership, Rick spent a decade as a professional baseball player. Drafted out of Ganesha High School in Pomona, California as a top prospect by the Toronto Blue Jays, his athletic career spanned 10 years within the Toronto Blue Jays, Philadelphia Phillies, Boston Red Sox, Pittsburgh Pirates, and Atlanta Braves organizations.
An experienced entrepreneur, Rick previously owned and operated Rick Holifield’s Triple Crown Sports Complex, a 22,000-square-foot athletic facility in Stamford, Connecticut. He is also the principal of MRH Consulting Group, LLC, which specializes in executive leadership coaching and HR best practices for both the private sector and educational institutions.
Rick holds a bachelor’s degree in Theology from Life Christian University and a master’s degree in Ministry-Christian Counseling from Jacksonville Theological Seminary. He is a graduate of the Harvard Graduate School of Education Principals Center and holds a professional certification in Executive Leadership Coaching from Harvard University Continuing Education.
He is a proud member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and the Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association. Rick is the proud father of two sons—Elijah and Caleb Holifield, who serve alongside him as Co-Founders of Game Plan Education Group—and the granddad to Maylan, Camilla, and Emory.
Co-Founder, Game Plan Education Group
Elijah Holifield is an educator, advisor, mentor, and former student-athlete whose life has been shaped by independent school education, academic mentorship, and high-performance environments. Having attended independent schools throughout his life, Elijah understands the value of structure, accountability, and student-centered guidance. His professional experience spans four distinct levels of education, including early childhood and elementary education, Upper School college counseling and student-athlete mentorship, admissions and academic advising in higher education, and youth development through individualized coaching and mentoring. From helping prospective students navigate the admissions process to supporting young athletes through academic check-ins, college preparation, and personal development, Elijah’s work has consistently centered on helping students build confidence, discipline, and genuine personal connection. As a current doctoral student in Educational Leadership, he brings both professional experience and scholarly preparation to his work with students and families.
Elijah’s approach to education is deeply informed by his own journey as a student-athlete, scholar, and leader. He competed at St. John’s University under NBA Hall of Famer Chris Mullin, earned Big East academic honors as a freshman, later became a SWAC Champion and Dean’s List member at Prairie View A&M University, and continued his career professionally, winning a Bosnian Premier League Cup championship. Beyond the accomplishments themselves, those experiences taught Elijah the importance of preparation, resilience, teamwork, leadership, and mentorship—principles he now applies to student development through Game Plan Education Group. His leadership foundation began early, serving as a peer leader at Pace Academy mentoring freshmen, and continued at St. John’s University, where he taught weekly transition classes for freshman student-athletes. As a neurodivergent learner diagnosed with ADHD inattentive type in childhood, Elijah also understands firsthand the importance of executive functioning skills, individualized support, and learning environments that help students turn challenges into strengths. As someone who has experienced the power of education, athletics, and guidance firsthand, Elijah is committed to helping young people create their own “game plan” for success by equipping them with academic tools, life skills, and the strategic support needed to turn potential into achievement.
Co-Founder, Game Plan Education Group
As a Co-Founder of Game Plan Education Group, Caleb Holifield has dedicated his career to helping students identify opportunities, overcome obstacles, and achieve their academic and personal goals. Having navigated both public and independent school environments, Caleb brings a comprehensive perspective to student mentorship. This diverse background allows him to connect authentically with students from all walks of life and reinforces his commitment to ensuring every individual has access to the guidance, advocacy, and resources necessary for success.
Caleb established his professional foundation at Grand Canyon University (GCU), seamlessly transitioning his student-athlete experience into impactful administrative roles. While earning his Bachelor of Science in Psychology, he served as a junior admissions counselor—a role that directly resulted in full-time employment within the university’s admissions office upon graduation. He later advanced his advisory expertise as an academic counselor for GCU’s College of Education, where he specialized in degree pathway planning, student retention, and engagement.
Drawing on the rigorous discipline, accountability, and collaborative mindset he developed playing collegiate basketball under NBA veteran Dan Majerle, Caleb is uniquely equipped to guide and inspire young people. He understands the transformative power of a strong support system and is dedicated to delivering that standard of mentorship to every student Game Plan serves. To further elevate his impact on holistic student development, Caleb plans to pursue his Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD), integrating clinical insights with academic mentorship to support students’ diverse cognitive and developmental needs.
