Spotlight On The Board

A Tribute to Coach Hall

Paul Aldridge, Vice President
December 1, 2011

A Tribute to Coach Hall

There is no shortage of changes occurring in public education in Michigan over the last couple of years. There are news items everyday it seems covering things like changes in funding, tenure, teacher evaluations, curriculum and many other subjects. I want to cover something more local to Spring Lake High School.

The Spring Lake Board of Education recently passed a resolution naming the new cross country course after long time coach Mel Hall. Coach Hall was our school’s first coach for boys' and girls' cross country, as well as boys' and girls' track. As a credit to Coach Hall, it was some of his past athletes who brought the recommendation to the Board to name the new course in his honor.

The naming of any SLPS facility is not a decision that is taken lightly by the Board, but in this case the choice was obvious. It is unlikely we will have another person coach as many seasons and touch as many young lives as did Coach Hall.

Coach Hall put in countless hours over his 30 plus years of coaching cross country and track, positively impacting a large number of Spring Lake athletes. Obviously he left a lasting impact on these athletes as evident by the request to name the new course in his honor. The sponsoring group circulated a petition requesting the honor and I’m sure it didn’t take long to get the signatures supporting Coach Hall.

I had the privilege of knowing Coach Hall well as a student during his tenure at Spring Lake as well as being his neighbor. I believe the naming of the cross country course is a fitting tribute to Coach Hall and I am proud to be a part of the decision. The sign with Coach Hall’s name will be erected at the course in the spring.