Dana Hall, associate professor of Athletics, Health, and Physical Education at the University of Mary Washington, has been recognized with the J. Christopher Bill Outstanding Faculty Service Award for her contributions to the University as well as her involvement and leadership in the greater community. The award was presented at the University’s opening faculty meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 21.
Announcing the award, Teresa Coffman, former chair of the University committee on Sabbaticals, Fellowships, and Faculty Awards, said Hall has worked tirelessly on behalf of her students to enhance their experiences. She quoted a student who said Hall “instilled me with confidence to seize leadership opportunities that I normally would not have taken and to navigate those opportunities with composure, empathy and an open mind.”
A member of the Mary Washington faculty for nearly 30 years, Hall has served as assistant athletic director and currently is associate chair of the Department of Athletics, Health and Physical Education. In her more than two decades as coach, Hall grew the University’s field hockey and lacrosse programs into two of the premier programs in the country. She ranks as one of the winningest coaches in NCAA history, with her teams advancing to 18 NCAA championship tournaments. Forty-two student athletes playing under her guidance have been named as All Americans.
One of those All-Americans, Caitlin Moore, who succeeded Hall as lacrosse coach, described Hall as a mentor who pushed her to become a leader.
“Dana Hall has been a constant source of support and knowledgeable advice,” said Moore in a 2014 feature story. “Dana helped me to grow as a person and player on and off the field.”
At UMW, Hall also developed the Eagles Leadership Academy, helped advance the sports management minor and served on numerous University committees. She also chaired the Division III lacrosse coaches’ poll committee and the Capital Athletic Conference committees for field hockey and lacrosse.
Quoting a colleague, Coffman said Hall “believes that each of us shares in the responsibility for using our time and talent to enhance the university not only in the classroom, but in the many ways that contribute to a vibrant community.”
Hall earned a master’s degree in education for sports medicine from the University of Virginia, after receiving a bachelor’s degree in health and physical education from Frostburg State University.
The Topher Bill Award was established through an endowment provided by former students, colleagues, friends and family of the late Christopher Bill, a member of the UMW faculty for nearly 30 years. He died in 2001.The selection criteria for the award stipulates that the recipient must have served a minimum of seven years as a member of the Mary Washington teaching faculty and must have been heavily and consistently involved in a variety of service capacities, including departmental, university-wide and community service.
