A five-time national coach of the year and one of the architects of scholastic lacrosse in the United States, Tom Hall has been an influential figure in a sport where he has been a player, a coach, an administrator and a promoter.

 

Hall attended Fayetteville-Manlius High School and played football, basketball and baseball. F-M didn’t offer lacrosse in the 1950’s. But Hall introduced the sport when he returned to his alma mater to teach and coach after graduating from Cortland State. Hall established a lacrosse program at F-M in 1964, one that became a model for dozens of other schools throughout the Northeast. By the end of the decade, F-M was a lacrosse power to be reckoned with. In 1969, the Hornets pulled off a major sports upset by beating perennial power LaFayette High School. 

 

For decades, Hall’s program was a winner, even while Section III was dominated by West Genesee. But in 1972, the Hornets, led by former pro football player Tom Rafferty won it all. His teams won six conference, four sectional and two Upstate championships and twice finished as state runner-ups.

 

Hall, a charter member of the Upstate New York Chapter of the Lacrosse Foundation, helped set up the state tournament in 1977. He also helped get lacrosse added to the Empire State Games in 1983. Since 1986 he’s been the New York State Public High School Lacrosse Chairman and has served as the Section III chairman since 1976. 

 

Hall’s career coaching record of 454-181-1 ranked him fourth all-time in New York State. He was also one of seven U.S. coaches with more than 400 career wins. His greatest source of pride is the fact that 350 of his former players have gone on to play college lacrosse and 25 have been named All-Americans.

 

Hall, president of the Central New York Lacrosse Association for 13 years, has won numerous awards and honors including Section III Coach of the Year five times and Man of the Year three times. He was the National Federation of Interscholastic Coaches Association Boys Lacrosse Coach of the Year in 2000.

 

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

 

1964-1999: Coached at F-M and compiled a career record of 454-181-1

 

1964: Co-founder of the Upstate Summer Lacrosse League

 

1996: Earned his 400 th career win vs. Baldwinsville

 

1999: Earned his 450 th career win vs. Baldwinsville

 

1977: Won the prestigious Jerry Carroll National Coach of the Year award

 

1978-1988: Elected the first president of the National Interscholastic Lacrosse Association and served for 10 years

 

1987: Named Scholastic Man of the Year

 

1991: Received the Blind Men and Criers annual “John Arcaro Coaches Award” in recognition for outstanding success in their sport

 

1999-2002: Served on the first National Federation of High School Boy's Lacrosse Rules Committee

 

2006: Inducted into the Cortland State "C Club" Sports Hall of Fame

 

2006: Inducted into the New York State Public High School Athletic Association Hall of Fame