Will you play basketball for Missouri State University?

That question changed the trajectory of Jerry Hall’s life.

“Coach Eddie Matthews came calling, offering me a scholarship,” said Hall, who is from West Plains, Missouri.

Hall had planned to play professional baseball instead of attending college, but the coach’s offer was too intriguing to ignore.

He joined the basketball team at MSU in 1958, and ended up in championship games.

This was only the beginning of Hall’s contributions to MSU athletics. In the 1960s, he was part of a group that advocated to campus leadership to add baseball as an intercollegiate sport. That program started in 1964.

He also supported the establishment of Grizzly athletics on the West Plains campus.

Playing at an “unreal” national level as a Bear

Hall’s first season was unlike any at MSU. The team played in their first-ever title game — at the 1959 NCAA college division basketball tournament — and won second place.

“It was unusual to play in any national games, so getting second place was unreal,” he said.

The team also played in the 1958 NCAA Elite Eight game.

Hall lettered all four years and was co-captain during his final season.

“Jerry was one of the rocks on the team,” said Bill Rowe, former athletics director. He assisted the team while Hall was on the squad.

In addition to basketball, Hall participated in ROTC and worked 20 hours a week. He lived a busy but fulfilling life at MSU.

“You have to make good choices with your time and find the good in everything you do,” he said.

He graduated in 1962 with a bachelor’s degree in industrial education. He taught for a year in West Plains, then was commissioned through ROTC as a military officer. He taught again after that service.

“I spent a few years teaching, and then worked for Uncle Sam. The rest of the time, my job has been for myself,” Hall said.

He’s now in the real estate business and is an entrepreneur who owns the Holiday Inn Express and Suites in West Plains.

Bringing sports to the MSU-West Plains campus

Sports played a large role in shaping Hall to be the person he is today, and he wanted others to have that experience.

Two years after graduating, he assisted others who recommended bringing baseball to the Springfield campus.

Later, he and others wanted to give students in West Plains the opportunity to play college-level sports. In 1992, he worked with campus leadership to establish the Grizzly Athletics program.

“It has been neat watching the sports community grow,” he said. “I’m really proud of the accomplishments West Plains has been able to do.”

Hall also helped secure funding for a residence hall, the Grizzly House, which houses student-athletes.

Hall and his late wife, Sue, were charter members of the Grizzly Booster Club, and Hall served on the executive board for more than 20 years.

They attended sporting events at both campuses to cheer on the athletes.

They also provided financial support and fundraising.

In 2022, the couple won the Grizzly Track Award — the highest honor offered by Grizzly Athletics. They also won the Granvil Vaughan Founders Award in 2013 for their impact at MSU-West Plains.

High school sweethearts, the Halls were married for nearly 60 years before Sue passed away in August 2020.

Giving back to MSU through service and scholarships

Hall served on MSU’s Board of Governors from 1989 to 1996.

As a board member, he attended every graduation ceremony.

“It was the highlight of the year for me to watch how proud each person was to graduate and see the result of their hard work,” he said.

The Halls created two scholarships to support university students:

• In 2001, they created the Noel and Berniece Garner Family Basketball Scholarship, dedicated to Sue’s parents.
• In 2014, they created the Jerry and Sue Hall Grizzly Endowed Scholarship.

“It is important to me to give back to the institution that was so instrumental in helping me through life,” Hall said. The Halls are members of The Founders Club in honor of their significant contributions.

“I’m grateful for all he’s done for the university through his eff orts as a graduate and certainly as a BOG member,” Rowe said. “I’m grateful for his loyalty, and for his friendship.”

Finding his purpose: people matter most

Hall’s favorite part of all his endeavors is connecting with and supporting people.

His dedication to others shines through in his willingness to support the university. But it is also evident in his work life in the hospitality field.

“We are number one in the Holiday Inn system for guest satisfaction,” he said, an award that was special to him.

Hall credits much of his success to Missouri State.

“The expectations set for me, the education, ROTC and basketball — all of it helped adapt me for a better life, and I am grateful for it.”