Most championship baseball teams have an
outstanding closer. Someone they turn the ball over to in the ninth
inning and expect them to secure the victory. Wrestling has a
similar role. For decades in, the heavyweight bout would be last.
The WPI wrestling program had its own premier closer --- Steve
Hall.
"Steve was by far the best heavyweight to perform
as a closer in dual meets in the history of WPI wrestling," noted
Hall of Fame coach Phil Grebinar.
"As long as we were never down by more than pin
points, we always had a chance to gain a victory with Steve in the
final bout of the meet."
Steve made an impact on New England wrestling
nearly immediately upon his arrival on Boynton Hill during the
1983-84 season. He tallied 14 wins in 17 decisions en route to a
third-place finish at the New England College Conference Wrestling
Association Championships, hosted at WPI.
His sophomore year proved to be a magical one, not
only for himself but for the WPI wrestling program. He was a
perfect 19-0 in dual meets, the second-most victories in school
history, while the team capped its outstanding season with its
first-ever NEWCCA championship (at which Steve placed third). After
a junior season that saw him limited to just eight dual meet
matches (6-2 record), Steve picked up another All-New England honor
by finishing third at the NEWCCA meet.
During his final year, the Engineers and Hall both
were simply amazing. Steve won all 15 of his dual meet bouts and,
for the second time in three years, the Crimson and Gray won the
New England championship.
He capped his outstanding career by placing second
at the NEWCCAs and became one of just 15 wrestlers to boast four
All-New England honors. For his success both on the mat and in the
classroom, he was named an Academic All-American following the
1986-87 season.
It's hard to read the WPI record book and not come
across the name Steve Hall. He totaled a career record of 54-4-2
(.902 winning percentage) and is tied for fourth in dual-meet wins.
The 296 team points he amassed places him second all-time while his
22 career pins is good enough for seventh place. If you ever had
somewhere to be after one of his bouts, chances are you got there
on time-Steve shares the record for pins under 1:00 with six.
"Steve was one of very few heavyweights who could
be successful in all aspects of wrestling positions, whether it be
take-downs from the neutral position, pinning from the top
position, or getting out from the bottom position," added Grebinar.
"This is the primary reason Steve is among the leaders in all WPI
individual wrestling records. Along with this wrestling ability, he
went to the mat in every meet aggressive and relentless."
Steve graduated from WPI with a degree in
mechanical engineering design. He served as an assistant coach at
WPI from 1987 to 1991, and has remained active in various youth
football, wrestling, and lacrosse organizations. He is currently
president of EKRA America Inc. in Marlborough, and has received two
U.S. patents in the area of electronics manufacturing automation
and process. Steve and his wife, Michelle (WPI '85), reside in
Sudbury with their two sons, Connor, 15, and Matthew, 13.
