Enol Gilles in the Forum paper today

The American dream: The son of immigrants from Haiti who found self-made success, MSUM's well-rounded running back is heart and soul of team

-Eric Peterson, In Forum

When Enol Gilles needs inspiration, he thinks about his parents.  His dad, Cilas, and mother, Rosenie, both came to the United States from Haiti with little more than the clothes on their backs.  “My dad came here with 20 American dollars,” Enol said. “Now he owns his own construction business. That’s my motivation right there.”

A senior running back at Minnesota State Moorhead, Enol Gilles is working on his own success story. He’s part athlete, part student and part entrepreneur.  Gilles leads the Dragons in rushing with 217 yards and one touchdown on 80 attempts. MSUM hosts the University of Mary at 2 p.m. Saturday at Alex Nezmek Stadium.

“The way that he plays is with so much heart, you would think that he’s got the heart of an elephant inside of him,” MSUM senior nose guard Jon Swart said. “He brings everybody up and he’s a great leader.”  Gilles is also driven off the field. A construction management major, Gilles finds time to design Web sites. He designed and maintains the official Web site for Indianapolis Colts receiver Pierre Garcon, pierregarconlive.com.

Gilles also runs Web sites that sell products ranging from NBA gear and books to infant clothing.  Garcon and Enol have been friends since the two went to high school in Florida at John I. Leonard, which is located in the West Palm Beach area.  

“He’s someone you want to be around,” Garcon said. “Whatever he focuses on, he’s going to do what it takes to get it done.”

In his fifth year with the program, Gilles is one of seven seniors on the MSUM roster.  The 5-foot-6, 170-pound Gilles has led the Dragons in rushing in his three previous seasons. He rushed for a career-high 899 yards on 186 attempts his sophomore season.

“He kind of exemplifies, ‘The Little Engine That Could.’ ” Swart said.  “He’s not a very big guy in stature, but he’s worked his butt off in the weight room to get as big as he can. No matter what the score is … he’s always trying his hardest. He’s always up at that level, bringing the team with him.”

Gilles said while some people may underestimate him due to his size, he uses that as motivation.  “Even when I’m playing on the field I don’t feel small until I watch myself on film,” he said. “Then I’m like, ‘Damn, I am small.’ … It just makes you want to work harder.”

Gilles learned that drive from his parents. Enol started to appreciate what they had to overcome on one of his trips to Haiti.  “When they actually brought me back to Haiti where they came from, it was shacks,” Enol said. “They brought me places like where their hometown was and like you couldn’t even get there sometimes because the roads were so bad.”

Cilas started working in the fields when he first came to Florida, Enol said. But that never prevented Cilas and Rosenie from providing.  “Whenever I think I have it real bad, I’m like, ‘Man, my parents overcame way more than that.’ ” Enol said. “They worked hard to make sure we got clothes and they worked hard to make sure we got fed. You could never tell that we were struggling because whatever we needed, they provided for us.”

Cilas now has his own construction company.  Enol designed the Web site for Cilas Concrete Construction, his father’s business.  Enol, who has passed two of three sections of the general contractor test, is planning to work with his father when he graduates.

“He really has a good heart,” Cilas Gilles said. “He always tries to help people.”

Enol said when he graduates he will be the first male in his family to earn a college degree. His older sister, Mabelise, has earned her degree and is a grade school teacher in Orlando, Fla.

“He’s overcome being away from home for an extended period of time,” Dragons coach Damon Tomeo said. “He is truly an astounding young man. … He’s found a way to learn in the classroom, learn on the field and to develop and grow. He’s set himself up for the next phase and graduating.”