Wingate, N.C.----James Hall is a throwback. The 21-year-old Wingate University quarterback says video games were not a big part of his childhood. There is good reason...Hall is the oldest of 10 children. With nine brothers and sisters, a flag football game or a driveway basketball contest was only a few steps from the living room.

“My sister Joanne (Jojo) played Pop Warner football for two seasons,” Hall says. “Fans in the stands would say ‘Wow, that guy made a great play!’ Then my sister would come to the sidelines for a breather...take off her helmet...and they would see her pigtail...”

The sport management major from Concord knows he does not have to look too far for a pick-up game. “Every time we would get bored, we could go outside and start a game...work on our skills,” Hall acknowledges. “We enjoy going outside and competing against each other.”

As the oldest, does Hall feel pressure to set a standard? “I know my brothers and sisters are watching me,” Hall says. “I know they will have the opportunity to make the same decisions down the road. I must make sure I do the right thing.”

Hall gives his parents (Jim, Sr. and Joanne) much credit for his development. “My dad has coached each one of us,” the younger Hall says. “He may coach five or six games on any given Saturday. It is great to have so much support (from my parents). My father and mother wanted to be involved in every aspect of our lives.”

“I always knew we would have a big family,” Joanne Hall says. “My father came from a large family (and she is one of 10). I would not change anything.”

What is the biggest challenge? “I would say we always want to be sure we give child number one, number two and number 10...the same support,” Joanne Hall asserts. “I don’t want to let them down. We want to be there for the big things and the little things.”

Jim Hall, Sr. says he is an accidental coach. “I didn’t intend to be the coach (for my children),” the elder Hall admits. “I think every little kid feels a sense of pride when his dad or mom is running the team.”

“I am a ‘hands on’ father,” Hall says. “I want to instill the values of sportsmanship in my children. I want to instill in our kids the significance of competition...We believe it is important for them to strive to improve in every area…and you can learn so many life lessons from sports.”

The elder Hall saw his oldest son’s football potential very early. “James learned his colors from football helmets,” his father confides. “When he saw the Redskins’ helmet, he knew it was red.”

On the field, Jim Hall, Sr. remembers his son’s first experience at quarterback. “James was nine years old...playing for the Cicero (N.Y.) Falcons,” Hall recalls. “He was playing for head coach Tom Murphy...with a team of older kids.”

“James made a hand off to a running back...and the ball bounced out of the ball carrier’s hands,” Hall, Sr. says. “Coach Murphy was very intense...when James came off the field...Coach Murphy said ‘that is the easiest play in the book.’”

The young quarterback kept his cool. On the next series, Murphy sent Hall back on the field and ran the 33 Dive play again. “The team drove for a score on the series following the miscue,” Hall, Sr. says. “Coach Murphy taught James…many lessons. He taught James much about technique.”

“I told James after this game...listen to what he’s telling you...not the emotion,” Hall, Sr. recalls. “I have always preached to our children...keep an even keel. James has always been able to keep a cool, calm head about him during intense situations.”

Joanne Hall believes her children’s demeanor helps them outside the athletic arena as well. “We have always told our children…you must have a purpose and a passion,” she relates. “The kids don’t always realize how fortunate they are (right now). When they are older, they will have responsibilities and obligations…we tell them…don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t do something.”

James Hall found Wingate through connections at his high school, Jay M. Robinson (Concord, N.C.). “After my time at Lackawanna College, Robinson offensive coordinator (and former Bulldog quarterback) Brad Hinson said I should check out Wingate,” Hall recalls. “Following my visit…I thought Wingate felt right.”

Bulldog head coach Joe Reich is glad Hall made the decision to attend Wingate University. “I think James Hall is a very good leader and a very good teammate,” Reich says. “His teammates respect him. They (his fellow players) know he is willing to do whatever it takes for the team to be successful.”

James Hall and his family have enough stories to fill numerous scrapbooks. This summer, a big highlight for the family was a beach vacation. “We had 38 (Hall family members) under one roof,” Joanne Hall recalls. “We have relatives on the West Coast and in the Midwest. We can’t wait to do it again.”

What’s next for James Hall? “In 10 years, I would like to be coaching on the NCAA Division II or Division III level,” he says. “I want to be able to help student-athletes with their game.”

Following his December graduation, James Hall plans to marry his high school sweetheart Ashlee Woodward in June. “We have dated six years,” Hall says. “We will both finish at Wingate this December.”

Will they have a big family? “I don’t think it will be as big,” Hall smiles. “We may have five children...”

The James Hall file

If you could have dinner with four people, who would you choose?

“I would have to choose my father, Tom Murphy, Phil Simms and Joe Montana. I would like to have this dinner because Simms and Montana are my idols, my father is the most important figure in my life and (Coach) Murphy taught me what I know about the QB position.”

What advice would you give a young football player?

“Take every lesson you learn on the football field and use it in every aspect of life.”

What songs are on your IPod right now?

“Eric Church’s new CD Carolina.”

What is something most people do not know about you?

“I love to fish and hang with my dogs Rusty and Bear.”

Favorites

Professional team-New York Giants

College team-Syracuse University Orange

Movie-The Express

Food-Swedish Meatballs

Color-Blue

The Hall children...

James (21)

Joanne (19)

Jacob (16)

Joshua (15)

Jessica (13)

Julianna (12)

Jared (11)

Joel (9)

JeanMarie (7)

Jorja Ann (23 months)

WINGATE UNIVERSITY

Founded in 1896, Wingate University is a private four-year co-educational institution of 2,159 students, offering active learning opportunities through personalized instruction, international study, faith development, career discovery and community service.

Wingate offers 40 undergraduate majors in arts and sciences, business, education, fine arts, music and sport sciences. It also offers graduate degrees in business, education, physical education, physician assistant studies, sport administration. In addition, the school awards the doctor of pharmacy and the doctor of education degrees.

Bulldog student-athletes compete in 17 NCAA Division II sports. Wingate University has won the South Atlantic Conference Echols Athletic Excellence Award for the past three years.

Wingate University is ranked number three among NCAA Division II Academic All-America® producing schools in the 2000’s with 34 honorees during this millennium. Only Pittsburg State (Kan.) University and Truman State (Mo.) University have produced more Academic All-America® honorees during this time period. Wingate’s 43 Academic All-America® honorees (lifetime) is tops among all SAC schools.