A native of Sao Paulo, Brazil, Alex Ely was educated in the United States receiving a Bachelor's Degree in Foreign Language Education from the University of Maryland in 1964. At that time, he returned to his homeland where he taught English for eight years. In Brazil, he authored two widely sold textbooks, `A New Approach to English and intermediate course by Atica Publishing Co. During the 70's, he returned to the states to resume his education.

Having settled in Philadelphia, PA, Ely attended Temple University where he earned a Master's Degree in English Education. Since that time, he has taught at Cardinal Dougherty High School and he is presently teaching at Archbishop Prendergast High School in Drexel Hill, PA.

As a sportsman, Mr. Ely traveled extensively with the United States Pan American, Olympic and World Cup soccer teams. He is a three time United States Champion and a four time American League Champion with the Ukranian Nationals, along with Canadian Champion with Toronto Roma. He also won a bronze medal in the 1959 Pan American games. All of these accomplishments were done in the amazing span of six years. In 1997, Ely was inducted in the soccer National Hall of Fame in Oneonta, New York.