Tony Reilly

I received my Morrison Visa in late 1993. At the time, I was living in Columbus, Ohio, and that’s where I settled permanently. Columbus has been my home ever since.

Looking back, my journey to Columbus was a real needle-in-a-haystack story. I was born in Clondalkin, Dublin. My dad managed farms, first Ballyfree Farms, and later the Dominican-run farm at Newbridge College. We moved from Clondalkin to Wicklow, and eventually to Kildare, where my dad bartered to send my older brother and me to Newbridge College.

In the spring of 1986, as I was finishing my Leaving Cert at Newbridge, I was offered a partial soccer scholarship to Sterling College in Kansas. After four years there, studying finance and economics, I wrote an investment paper that caught the attention of an investment banker in Columbus, Ohio. He invited me to interview, and that opportunity is what brought me to Columbus, the place I still call home nearly four decades later.

Ireland in the 1980s was tough. The economy was struggling, opportunities were scarce, and life could be uncertain. My family was incredibly supportive, my parents were the glass-half-full type, but after my dad had a farming accident, resources were tight. At 17, I was working in a meat factory in Kildare. It was rough work, every man for himself. I was about to start an apprenticeship as a painter when the soccer opportunity came along.

I’ll never forget how that scholarship came about. When the American scout offered me the chance to play soccer in the US, I didn’t even ask where the college was. Honestly, it didn’t matter. Getting to America represented hope, opportunity, and the possibility of building something better. I was ready to go anywhere, as long as it was the US.

One of my vivid early memories was my borrowed suitcase. Just before I left Ireland, my mom realised we didn’t own proper luggage. Our neighbour, Mrs. Walsh, loaned me her son’s old suitcase, but only on the condition that I send it back. It was battered, taped together, and barely held my belongings. But I promised. As soon as I arrived in Kansas, my first task was mailing that suitcase home. When I brought it to the campus post office, the young woman working there couldn’t believe I was mailing such a worn-out thing internationally. But for me, keeping that promise mattered.

A pivotal moment came during my senior year. My student visa was about to expire, and I desperately needed permission to stay and work.

“When Senator Bob Dole visited our college, I knew it was my chance. Despite heavy security, I approached him, handed over a letter I’d typed explaining my situation, and asked for help.”

A few days later, his office arranged a private immigration appointment, which extended my work permit. That moment directly paved the way for my Morrison Visa.

Financial survival was my biggest challenge. The scholarship didn’t cover everything. To make ends meet, I struck a deal with the college CFO. I worked extensively on campus, mowing lawns, painting, and cafeteria shifts, and the college kept 90% of my wages to cover tuition. I took home just 10%. It meant earning pennies per hour, but I graduated debt-free.

“Those early struggles shaped me, and it’s a mindset I still share with my daughter and employees: “Cherish the struggle.”

Moving to the US transformed my life in every possible way. Professionally, I’ve spent over 35 years in finance. I founded two companies, Diamond Hill Capital Management, named after Diamond Hill in Connemara, and Ascend Advisory Group, which now manages over $2.3 billion in assets across 40 states.

But beyond business, I’m proudest of creating the Reilly Family Foundation and Sophie’s Grace, a women’s soccer scholarship named for my daughter. It helps young women facing financial hardship attend college, just like I was fortunate enough to do. I’ve also recently partnered with Leader Kicking, founded by Tadhg Leader, to help Irish athletes secure American college scholarships. Giving others the same opportunities I had is what it’s all about.

The Morrison Visa was absolutely life-changing. Without it, my time in America would have ended abruptly. I still remember opening the big brown envelope containing my Morrison Visa. It secured my future, allowed me to stay, and set me on the path to achieving my dreams.

To me, the Morrison Visa represents hope, generosity, and the lasting impact of creating pathways for others. Bruce Morrison’s vision changed thousands of lives, mine included. Without him, there would be no Reilly Family Foundation, no Sophie’s Grace, no opportunity to help the next generation. My hope is to continue that legacy by helping future generations achieve their dreams.