David Hall: Valiant battle ends

Friday, cancer-stricken David Hall was helped into the stadium press box at Cypress Creek High in Houston just to coach his baseball team's afternoon practice.

With microphone and public-address system at hand, he kept watch. "He said, 'OK, the eye in the sky is on everybody,' " his daughter Wendy Hall said.

Weighed down by non-smoking-related lung cancer that had spread to his brain and kidneys, Hall kept coaching despite his failing health.

"It was amazing to see how much energy he exerted in coaching when he didn't have that much energy to give," family friend Kathleen Ownby said.

Hall, 49, died late Sunday, ending a courageous stand.

Hall missed just three games of his team's 23-3 season.

The Cougars meet Belton Friday in a Class 5A second-round playoff game at Brenham.

Hall's on-the-field efforts were testimony to the sport he loved and made his profession.

He was a winning coach at Rice University from 1981-91 (338-267) and one of the USA's top hitters at the University of Texas. He also coached two other Texas high schools.

Hall's carcinoma was diagnosed last July after he traveled to coach at a summer camp in New York.

He felt so weak he and his wife had to rush home. Over a quart of fluid was found smothering his heart, and cancerous cells were found in the fluid. He endured chemotherapy but abandoned them after side effects.

As living became hard, Hall lived to coach and talk about his team. "There's a unique bond because we've been up-front with them about my condition from the get-go," he said in a recent interview with USA TODAY. "They've handled it really well. It has not distracted them in any way."

Hall felt his team, despite three sophomore starters, had the ingredients to win a state title, which he never won. Hall coached R.L. Turner (Carrollton) to the state tournament in '79 and '80.

His players shaved their heads in tribute this year and continue to win big games.

"It made us stronger knowing he could be doing other things but wants to be out there with us," star pitcher Jamie Spring said. "We're trying to give something back to him."

Near the end, Hall became tired and barely able to breathe. "Breathing is the hardest part. It's a horrible feeling not being able to breathe," he said.

Hall coached his final game Wednesday. He lasted two innings in the third-base coaching box, his portable oxygen unit in a backpack.

Cypress Creek upset then-USA TODAY No. 7 Bellaire 11-7 in a benefit game for Hall at the University of Houston.

When asked if he'd last the season, Hall spoke honestly, "I hope so. God willing, I hope so."

Hall's two-year mark at Cypress Creek was 34-18.

His fame came in college. At Texas, he led the Southwest Conference in hitting in 1970 with a .364 average and set a then-NCAA record with 27 doubles. The Longhorns won SWC titles in 1968, '69 and '70.

"He never smoked or chewed tobacco. This is that terrible cancer you say why?' " said Jack Miller, who played center field at Texas with Hall.

Wendy Hall said memorial services will be Wednesday or Thursday
 

USA TODAY (Arlington, VA) - May 6, 1997
Submitted by Edward Lynn Williams