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[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E371]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
HONORING HUSKY HALL
______
HON. H. MORGAN GRIFFITH
of virginia
in the house of representatives
Friday, April 17, 2020
Mr. GRIFFITH. Madam Speaker, I rise in honor of Robert ``Husky''
Hall, a giant in the world of Virginia high school basketball who set
several coaching records with the Martinsville Bulldogs. Coach Hall
died on April 5, 2020, at the age of 91.
Husky Hall was a native of Fieldale in Henry County, Virginia. He
played basketball, baseball, and golf at Elon College, now Elon
University, in North Carolina and earned a master's degree in education
from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. He also served his
country in the United States Army during the Korean War. After coaching
boys and girls varsity basketball in Pleasant Grove, North Carolina, he
became an assistant basketball coach at Martinsville in the 1950s.
The head coach at the time, Mel Cartwright, Sr., was another major
figure in Martinsville sports. During the early years, Husky Hall was
the assistant, then began sharing duties with Coach Cartwright. In this
period, Martinsville earned state championships in 1958, 1961, and
1964.
Husky Hall became Martinsville's head coach in 1965 and held the
position until he retired in 1995. Over those years, his teams won 605
victories, a Virginia High School League (VHSL) record at the time. He
still holds the VHSL record for the seven state championships his teams
achieved, in 1966, 1976, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1985, and 1986, and for
playing in seven consecutive state championship games from 1980 to
1986.
Coach Hall's leadership focused on the fundamentals of basketball. He
insisted on leadership and discipline. As a result, he brought out the
best in his players and his assistant coaches, some of whom went on to
great coaching careers of their own, and college coaches sought the
secrets of his success.
On top of his basketball duties, Husky Hall coached golf at
Martinsville as well. In that role, the school won its only state
championship at the Group AAA level in any sport in 1974.
In 1994, Coach Hall told the Roanoke Times about his approach: ``If
it's going to work, someone has to be in charge, and you hope the
players look up to the coach because he's earned their respect.'' He
succeeded in earning the respect not only of his players and assistant
coaches but the whole Martinsville community and the world of Virginia
high school basketball. The Virginia High School Hall of Fame inducted
Coach Hall in 91, the second year of its existence.
Coach Hall is survived by his daughters Robin Morgan and Terry
Jamerson and seven grandchildren. He was predeceased by his wife,
Verona. I offer my condolences to his family on their loss. Husky
Hall's name will live long in Virginia high school sports.
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