Soon, San Marino High School history and Government teacher Kevin Hall and his wife, Ellen, will take up digs in Southern Indiana to be closer to one of the couple’s two daughters. But last Saturday evening, Hall was front and center at a surprise retirement party held in a most appropriate venue, the school’s gym, where friends, coworkers and students alternately praised and roasted one of the school’s most popular educators.
Hall was led to the event under the ruse that the couple would be having dinner with friends. Hall said he was peeved that his wife insisted he wear long pants. He wasn’t peeved for long.
Hall coached basketball and track during his tenure and the athletes who experienced his legendary “enthusiasm” were more than happy to give a little back.
Blair Slattery, Mack Paciorek, Jeff LeSage, Ryan Becker, Justin Becker, Brian McClintic, Dan Giddings and Alyson Seden Pernecky took turns expressing their gratitude for Hall, and Danny Loyd weighed in via Kris Jones, who read a letter from the former all-CIF athlete.
For photos from the retirement party, visit sanmarinophotos.com.
In his treatise, Loyd included the poem ‘The Man In the Glass,’ verses Hall had first introduced to his players decades ago. And while Hall had many a teary-eyed moment during the 2-hour tribute, at that point he was unable to dam his emotions.
Lighter moments were provided by McClintic who started his address with “I am so happy I was asked to be here this afternoon to praise someone who hasn’t contacted me once since I graduated in June of 1994,” a statement that brought a wave of laughter from the audience. In closing, McClintic admitted that he and Hall had remained close friends since parting ways 23 years ago.
In an homage to Hall’s legendary “enthusiasm” (wait – we already used that euphemism) Ryan Becker said he suffers prolonged hearing loss from his former coach’s “legendary chewings for not playing good defense.”
Another constant theme was how Hall would often shower his players with spittle during particularly “enthusiastic” rants. Paciorek placed cautionary “splash zone” warning cards near those seated in the front row.
Fellow educators Steve Ford, Phil Ryan and David Irie also took turns praising their colleague. Ford admitted he was “not the type to roast someone” and offered poignant memories of their time together.
Irie admitted enjoying the humor of the theme of expectoration, but offered thoughtful memories of a man he called his mentor.
“Along with that is Kevin’s propensity for expectoration, is the deep caring he has for his students and co-workers,” he said, before telling a hilarious and true “fish story.”
Hall came to San Marino High School in 1985 and has served as Social Science Committee chair, on the school’s curriculum committee, and as a student teacher supervisor.
He has been named to the Who’s Who Among America’s teachers list twice and has re-ceived the Daughters of the American Revolution’s teaching award of excellence three times.
He is also a Terrific Titan and recipient of the prestigious PTA Founder’s Day Award.
“This was the most fun I have had in I don’t know how long,” Hall said afterwards. “It was so great to see all of those former students and athletes.”
Irie also showed a video that was created by some of Hall’s students, who praised their former teacher for his humor, knowledge and ability to help them learn.
As one might predict, that elicited a shower of a much different type from the guest of honor.
