Steve Hall
“If you couldn’t get along with Steve Hall, then there’s probably no hope for you.” the Deacon noted at Steve Hall’s funeral.
It’s been one year on February 17 since Steve succumbed to cancer at OSU James Cancer Center.
The family and friends of the Grandview Heights and Wayne Trace schools along with Paulding County gathered together for the one year memorial at the Havilland High School.
Grandview Heights is the atypical Columbus school that Wayne Trace would take on in basketball, but this was a special event with people driving three hours from Columbus. The Palace was packed with nearly 2000 people on Saturday, February 13.
Steve Hall’s Jersey hanging in the palace
Between the JV and Varsity games the memorial took place. Jim Linder opened the ceremony with his experiences playing with Steve Hall and then he turned the ceremony over to local radio personality, Kenny Stabler.
Steve Hall was a student at Wayne Trace High School between 1984 and 1988. He was from Payne and “grew up with a special group of kids on Merrin Street” with his siblings—Angie and Bill. Steve had many friends and family—from the teachers to the others students—he was actively involved in academics and the athletics.
It’s not often you see stats like this, but Steve was co-valedictorian with a 4.0 and at the same time he was one of the top basketball players in the state, earning himself a basketball scholarship at The Ohio State University and leading the team to two Big 10 Championships. “Steve is the only player I know that had a cheer made for him.” (You’ve been caught, you’ve been blocked, you’re a victim of the Hallsy swat!) Coach Al Welch said, “He not only could block the shot but block it and catch it and go on a fast break to score. Not only was he a fantastic player, but he was an incredible person. My kids were so impressed with him they asked if they could name the dog Hallsy!”
Representative Tony Burkley makes the presentation from the State of Ohio House of Representatives to Steve’s Parents – John and Rose Ann Hall, Angie Speice on right. Steve’s brother Bill is to the left of John.
Kevin Richards also spoke fondly of his friend. Kevin is a teacher at Grandview. He went to college with Steve and Kellie (his wife). Steve majored in math and engineering and following graduation from OSU became an engineer who prospered and was able to travel all over the US and Europe, enjoying his job. But it wasn’t fulfilling. “I don’t feel like I’m giving back. I want to go back to be a teacher.” His passion outweighed the pay and he went back to get his teaching degree from Ohio Dominican University. He became an inspiring teacher right away at Grandview. He made a difference there and was well respected in the classroom and on the court as a coach.
Even with some of his records at Wayne Trace being broken, many are still standing. He and his teammates played in the what many called the “Pit” and records were made there. People would stand in line from the time school was out just to be able to get a seat at the evenings’ games.
Steve still holds the records for the following achievements:
Two Point Field Goals Made (701); Two Point Field Goals Attempted (1,214); Total Field Goals Made (701); Rebounds (914). Single Game Record: Blocked Shots (12)
Other records have been recorded, some broken but are still high up in the records books. He played in 96 games in his HS career. The Raiders won all four of the GMC Conference titles in his years with a 26-2 record. In his four years the team won 83 of those 96 games and it was the first time Wayne Trace went to State. In 88 of those games he had double digit scores.
Steve’s sister, Angie Speice, said, “We cannot control the outcome, but we can control how we respond to it.” He went through a lot but never gave up serving people. She thanked the other school—Grandview Heights very similar to Wayne Trace—for their appreciation of her brother. He was an incredible person. She emphasized his belief in family, community and faith.
The year following Steve’s high school graduation, the taxpayers of Wayne Trace decided they had enough of the “Pit” and voted to build the “Palace”, the gymnasium that currently stands and used daily for the kids. Some called it the, “House that Hall Built.”
“He was a great player, great son, great brother, great teacher, great husband, teacher and just and all around great person.” stated Welch.
The funds raised for the evening will be used to benefit the family, and in particular Steve’s children – Eli and Emma Hall.
Steve Hall’s number is retired with a picture of it raised to the Palace ceiling in his honor.
So much more could be said than space will allow in print or the web, for someone who touched so many people and made a positive influence on all he had contact with.
The communities of both schools have been blessed greatly by such a great man—remembering Steve Hall.
