CALGARY, AB – It is with heavy hearts the Calgary Roughnecks are saddened to announce the passing of former Roughnecks head coach Chris Hall after a four-year battle with cancer at the age of 64.
As part of his 12 year coaching career in the NLL, Hall served as the Roughnecks head coach for six seasons beginning with their inaugural season in 2002. He guided Calgary to their first NLL Champion’s Cup victory in 2004.
“Chris was not only a fantastic lacrosse coach, but an exemplary human being,” said Roughnecks captain Andrew McBride, who played for Hall for five seasons. “His lessons extend far beyond the lacrosse floor. CH taught me about humility, passion and how to be a true professional. My condolences go out to his wife, Pam, and the Hall family.”
He was one of only three head coaches in NLL history to have won Champion’s Cup titles with two teams (Calgary in 2004 and Washington in 2010) and was inducted into the league’s Hall of Fame as a member of the Class of 2014 during a ceremony this past September.
Hall’s 85 regular-season wins rank third all-time behind Darris Kilgour (121) and Les Bartley (93). With an 11-6 career record in the postseason, Hall’s 11 playoff wins rank fourth all-time behind Bartley (22), Troy Cordingley (12) and Kilgour (12). “CH” had taken on an advisory role with the Stealth this past summer after stepping down from head coaching duties.
“The lacrosse world will deeply miss Chris Hall,” said Roughnecks general manager Mike Board. “Chris was a respected coach, mentor and advisor to many. His place in the NLL Hall of Fame is a testament to those traits. The Roughnecks family will always remember CH as a coach who guided the team to a championship but also for the caring and compassionate man that he was.”
Hall is survived by his wife Pam, his sons Brock and Drew, his granddaughter Georgia, and his sister, Janice. Details on services are forthcoming.
Click here to read more about Hall’s tremendous lacrosse legacy on IL Indoor.
