Mike Hall, who grew up in the 1960s, can’t completely let go of the music that helped shape the soundtrack of his youth.
Songs heard over the stadium speakers during Franklin boys track and field practices lean more in the direction of the Beatles and Beach Boys than any other musical act — even if that means one of his athletes shooting him a glance of complete befuddlement.
Hall recently announced he will retire as coach at the end of this season, his 36th at Franklin, a decision that literally changes the record for a program dating back more than a century.
No more “Twist and Shout.” No more “Good Vibrations.” Just a new and exciting turn on what’s been a “Long and Winding Road.”
“It just seemed like the right time,” said Hall, who turns 74 on June 3. “I’m still in good health, but I’m not in the same kind of health I was 10 years ago, or five years ago, for that matter. I didn’t ever want to get in a situation where the kids saw me where I wasn’t in good health.”
Hall begins his final postseason as coach today when the Cubs take part in the Columbus North Sectional. Fittingly, it’s a return to Hall’s alma mater; he graduated in 1965 when it was simply Columbus High School.
The Cubs have won seven Mid-State Conference championships, four Johnson County meets, four sectionals and two regionals under Hall. His lone individual state champion is Brad Epperson in the discus in 1994; the 2002 Grizzly Cubs, led by senior distance runners Ryan Warrenburg, Colin Riessen and Jeffrey Powers, finished third in the team standings at state.
Epperson, now 45 and a Franklin firefighter, said his former coach is about much more than fast times, record jumps and precision relay handoffs.
“What I remember about coach is that he is very fair, but expects people to work hard. He was a great motivator and mentor,” Epperson said. “Just one of those coaches you could count on in good or bad times. He has a way of getting through to his athletes and getting the most out of them.”
The ongoing challenge during Hall’s tenure is that as he got older, those he was mentoring were always going to be mostly 16- to 18-year olds. The coach had to make a concerted effort to make sure there was no gradual divide in communication.
“Coaching is a grind. It’s day in and day out, and Mike has done it very well for a long period of time,” Franklin athletic director Bill Doty said. “He has set the standard for coaches here at Franklin.
“It’s his consistency, his demeanor. Mike is so even-keeled and so fair with the kids. And he’s still able to relate to them. Even after 36 years, kids still want to come out and compete for him. That’s a true testament to his ability as a coach and educator. Mike knows what he’s doing and he’s a professional at it. He’s going to be hard to replace, for sure.”
Hall’s coaching background at Franklin includes leading boys junior varsity basketball teams for 18 seasons, the final one in 2004-05. In 52 years in coaching, Hall has led a total of 94 different teams, seven times coaching three sports during the school year.
He’s coached cross country, basketball, baseball and track and field dating back to his days at North Daviess High School in southwestern Indiana from 1974-85.
“I’ve always had a ton of respect for Mike and his program for how well they are coached in all 16 events,” Whiteland track coach Brandon Bangel said. “That’s why they’re always one of the teams to beat in our conference. His kids care about track and compete well in the big meets when it matters most.”
Hall and his wife Jan, who will be married 50 years come June 13, plan to remain in Franklin and enjoy their golden years having all of their time to themselves.
They will continue to contribute to Grizzly Cubs athletic events — either as spectators or, in Mike’s case, remaining the public address announcer for home football games … “And that’s a first down … Grrrrrrrrizzly Cubs.”
“My wife has been a rock for me all these years, and has been very, very patient. It wouldn’t have been the same without her. I married above my league, without a doubt,” Hall said. “I told my coaches the other day I didn’t get into this to get wealthy. But I got rich in other ways, and that’s in terms of relationships with people and so many great kids and great parents.
“Those kinds of things they don’t tell you about when you’re training to be a teacher and coach. Those are the things I will miss the most.”
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Columbus North Sectional
Participating teams: Center Grove, Edinburgh, Franklin, Greenwood, Greenwood Christian, Indian Creek, Whiteland, Columbus East, Columbus North, Hauser, Southwestern, Waldron
Time: 5:30 p.m.
Admission: $6
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