WESTLAKE, Ohio -- A football game, a season, a career, they are all full of great moments, times when adversity tests a player, coach, fans to go above and beyond what is expected of them.
Life has those moments too and on February 27, 2012, Chardon High School assistant football coach Frank Hall responded in the face of adversity by chasing out of the building a gunman who had shot and killed three students and injured others in the school cafeteria. The shooter was then arrested by authorities.
For his act of bravery, Hall was honored at Tuesday night’s 24th annual Scholar-Athlete Awards Banquet from the Northeastern Ohio Chapter of the National Football Foundation at LaCentre Conference and Banquet Facility in Westlake.
“On behalf of the Chardon community, I want to thank everyone for their support,” Hall said. “Again, it’s been tremendous from everyone throughout the state and country. Once again, thank you very much.”
Hall was introduced to the crowd by former Browns radio play-by-play announcer, Jim Mueller, who said:
“Frank Hall showed courageous action and unwavering bravery in protecting the lives of the students. In the wake of tragedy and sorrow, the community has shown love and compassion to those families that lost a loved one on that fateful day. On behalf of everyone here tonight, we invite coach Frank Hall to the podium tonight to receive a token of recognition of his bravery. We offer our continued prayers and condolences to the Chardon community and thank you, Coach, for showing courage in the face of adversity.”
As Hall walked up the stairs at the right side of the stage, everyone in attendance rose to their feet and expressed their appreciation to and support for the coach with a 30-second standing ovation. Hall then stepped up to the microphone and addressed the audience.
“The other day, I was watching a political expert on TV talk about our country and about how our kids will never have what we have,” Hall said. “I wish that person could be here right now and see these young men, to know that we’re going to have a better country because of these young men. I wish you’d come to our school to see the character since February 27th. You’d see the halls, the support that we have. You’d be proud of our country; you’d be proud of the kids that we have at our schools.”
