A proud graduate of Fairborn High School (1971), Barry Hall built his football foundation as a two-way starter at offensive guard and defensive middle guard, playing 20 consecutive games in the rugged Western Ohio League.
Hall’s journey continued at New Mexico State University, where he earned a full athletic scholarship in 1971. After a year of freshman football, he lettered in back-to-back varsity seasons and started at offensive guard in 1973. That year, NMSU boasted the 7th-ranked Division I offense in the nation, powered by quarterback Joe Pisarcik.
Following a coaching change that downsized the program, Hall’s time at NMSU ended in December 1973. Just a month later, his path took a historic turn. In January 1974, Coach Jim McKinley offered him a scholarship to join the Central State Marauders—a moment Hall recalls as one of the happiest of his young life.
At CSU, Hall became a rock on the offensive line, starting 22 straight games over the 1974–1975 seasons. Despite being a school of just 2,200 students, Central State played one of the toughest schedules in the country, facing powerhouses like Tennessee State, Jackson State, Akron, and Youngstown State.
Among the victories, one stands above the rest: the Marauders’ historic 1974 win over Division I Dayton at Welcome Stadium. With two minutes left, the team drove 85 yards behind a backup quarterback, scoring the game-winning touchdown with just seven seconds remaining. Hall still calls it “the most important win in CSU football history” and takes immense pride in being part of that moment.
During his senior year, Hall’s dominance in the trenches earned him multiple Offensive Player of the Week honors—a rare feat for an offensive lineman. He was later voted Offensive MVP (1975) and recognized with All-District and All-Regional NAIA Division I honors, capping his career with Honorable Mention All-American recognition from the NAIA.
Beyond athletics, Hall excelled academically, graduating Summa Cum Laude in 1976 with a degree in Marketing from CSU’s School of Business.
Following graduation, he built a successful career in heavy industrial equipment sales while also giving back to the game as a high school and college football official. In 2001, he achieved a remarkable milestone, officiating both the Illinois State High School Championship and the NAIA National Championship in Georgia.
Reflecting on his journey, Barry Hall remains deeply proud and grateful for his education, his playing career, and his time as a Marauder
