This year’s event was different from previous years, when the event was celebrated with an in-person banquet. Virginia’s stay-at-home order led to an online version dubbed the “Athletic Honors Show.” As part of the show, the EMU Athletic Department handed out athletic and academic awards from the 2019-20 season.
Seniors Hall, a Daleville resident, and Leah Wenger were presented the President’s Awards, the highest athletic award given out by EMU. As the culmination of the evening, Dr. Susan Schultz Huxman presented the awards, based on academic achievement, athletic contribution, Christian commitment, leadership, campus involvement and service.
All 42 of the senior student-athletes were honored during the show as well. While the graduating seniors normally receive EMU Alumni jackets in-person at a banquet, this year the jackets were mailed to each senior’s home. Director of Athletics Communications James DeBoer hosted the show, with an opening word from Director of Athletics Dave King.
Hall was a starting pitcher for the baseball team and the son of Jeremy and Aimee Hall. He held a 3.55 GPA as a recreational leadership and sports studies major.
Hall was a starting pitcher for most of his career, drawing 35 starts in 40 appearances over his four years on the team. Bailey struck out 16 batters in 16 innings before this year’s season abruptly ended due to the coronavirus. He’s been on the ODAC All-Academic team since his freshman season.
On campus, Hall was on the leadership team for Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and was a Community Advisor for EMU’s Residence Life his final three years. When school was not in session, he worked at numerous kids’ camps while playing in summer leagues in New York and Virginia.
“Athletics has helped me in my academic experience as it has taught me self-discipline in managing schoolwork with baseball,” Hall said of his time as a Royal student-athlete. “It has helped me develop into a better leader by forcing me to become more vocal with the team and within group projects. Lastly, it has taught me how to communicate effectively with people both on the field and in the classroom, and I expect to continue to grow in my communication skills through coaching next year.”
