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Danny and Pat Hall honored by Federal Hocking

Photo Provided Pictured is the Federal Hocking Field House, dedicated to Danny and Pat Hall earlier this month.

STEWART, Ohio — Danny and Pat Hall will be celebrating their 65th wedding anniversary Wednesday, Oct. 17.

It’s been an eventful month for the Coolville couple, who on Oct. 5 had a Field House at Federal Hocking High dedicated to them.

“It was something needed for the athletes, and I hope they put it to good use,” said 83-year-old Danny. (He’ll be celebrating his 84th birthday next month.)

Pat agreed and added, “We knew about the dedication and open house, but we were really surprised at the turnout and dignitaries who were there.”

Among the dedication guest speakers were Dr. George Wood, Superintendent and Master of Ceremonies; Dan Torrence, Federal Hocking School Board President; Jay Edwards, Republican state representative; Dr. Aaron Ramsey (chiropractor); former Lancer team doctor Ashton Cale (FHS Class of 2014); Mike Meek, former Athens High coach, athletic director and principal; Lenny Eliason, Athens County Commissioner; Bill Neal, Woodridge Golf Country Club owner; Steve Lyons, former Warren High Athletic Administrator and Assistant Superintendent; Keller Blackburn, Athens County prosecutor; Jay Barrett, chief investigator; Zach Saunders, assistant Athens County prosecutor; John Husted, current Secretary of State (running for Lieutenant Governor; Rodney Smith, Athens County Sheriff (Class of 1980); Bill Waddell, former Athens City Schools teach, AD, and coach; Bob Springer, former Federal Hocking, Marietta and Caldwell head football coach; Brent Hayes, owner of Bedrock Tool Rental, who donated $25,000 to the facility; and David Starlin (Class of 1973).

Photo Provided The Halls, Danny (left) and Pat (right) are pictured in the Field House at Federal Hocking High School. The Field House was dedicated to the Halls earlier this month.

There were also two video presentations, one of Scott Stricklin, University of Georgia head baseball coach, and the other of Dan Hall Jr. (The Halls’ son), Georgia Tech baseball skipper.

“My wife and I are very grateful, honored, and overwhelmed.” Danny Hall said.

The program, which was open to the public, had a social gathering at 5:30 p.m., and the dedication itself got underway at 6 p.m. before the scheduled 7:30 p.m. football game between the Lancers and the visiting Eastern Eagles.

“It was a wonderful evening of stories and memories,” said Jane Linscott of the school’s treasurer’s office.

Pat Tabler, former FH Lancers coach, AD and current grounds and transportation director, agreed.

“I think it went pretty well,” said Tabler, one of the prime movers of the event, who did “all the footwork,” according to Danny Hall.

Danny and Pat Hall were college sweethearts and graduates of Glenville State in W.Va. At Glenville, Dan played baseball, basketball, and football.

In 1956, the Halls re-located to Morgan County in Ohio. Not long afterwards, though, they moved to Coolville.

The Halls also started a family, and raised two children, Dan Jr. and Kim. Currently, the Halls have four grandchildren — Danny, Colin, Carter, and Tyler.

Before Federal Hocking consolidated it 1967, it was Carthage-Troy High (Coolville). In 1960, Danny Hall coached the Carthage-Troy basketball team to a 22-2 record.

Danny Hall taught physical education, health and drivers education from 1967 to 1988. At Federal Hocking, he started the football program in 1967, and was the head coach for six years, guiding the Lancers to winning campaigns in 1968 and 1970. In 1970, he was honored as the Tri-Valley Conference Coach of the Year in football.

Hall was the school’s baseball skipper for 16 springs, and was named the TVC Coach of the Year in 1971. He also served as the AD from 1980 to 1991. During that time, wife Pat was his unofficial but official assistant.

And, yes, Danny did coach his son Dan Jr. on the playing fields.

“It’s hard to coach a son,” he said.

Danny retired from the district with a total of 32 years of service, both before and after consolidation.

“I was there a long time,” he said, laughing. “I came back from 1993 to 2006, for discipline.”

Pat Hall was the first Superintendent’s secretary to the FH Local School District, then became the business education instructor until she retired in the spring of 1993, with 25 years of service to the school.

An avid golfer, Danny spends at least three days a week on the links at Worthington Golf Club in Parkersburg. His golfing partner is Ron Spiker of Parkersburg.

“I like Worthington, because it’s level,” he said.

Added Pat, “And, you know what, he doesn’t use a cart. He walks.”

Danny laughed.

“You’ve got to be tough to get old,” he said.

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