Have you ever wondered what hidden stories the women in Upper Merion have? Well, Jennie Hall, a now retired security guard from the middle school, has her own exciting story to tell. But first, I would like to thank Ms. Hall for giving me the opportunity to interview her and giving me permission to write an article about her for the Viking Call.
From a young age, Hall’s life had been surrounded by sports. Born into a family with 9 brothers and sisters, Hall began with zero interest in basketball, finding no enjoyment in the sport until she turned 10 years old. From then, she realized that the sport had begun to call out to her, the practices were no longer dull, and she loved the rush of adrenaline they gave her. She knew from that very moment that basketball was going to change her forever.
In her early high school years, Hall started to center her life on professional basketball. In 1977, Hall helped Norristown High School’s women’s basketball team win the Championship, which ended up earning her a full scholarship to Rutgers University. There, she made Rutgers one of the nation’s top elite teams, helping them win the AIAW (Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women) National Championship by leading the team with twenty-four points and four rebounds against their semifinal rival team, Villanova, in 1982. She later went on to be recognized and given many awards for her outstanding performances on the court, like the Headly-Singer Award which was given to the top graduating female athlete. After Rutgers, Hall would end up winning the silver medal at the World University Games in 1985, and continuing her passion for basketball overseas.
During the interview, Hall mentioned that it was her trip overseas that “Made her more of a complete person.” After all, she became known as the first American woman to play professionally in Finland, a memorable moment in her life. She also got to understand and learn about other cultures and languages, expanding her horizons on the world. In Finland, she humorously mentioned that there, “Isn’t very much sunlight.” When asked about her experiences in a new country, she highlights her struggle in languages, explaining how difficult it was for her to communicate with her teammates and navigate the place without proper linguistics. That did not stop her career in basketball, however, as she continued to play for seven years straight in many other countries with no breaks. Throughout those seven years, Hall was able to play professionally in Finland, Sweden, Spain, Italy, and even New Zealand; these experiences eventually led to her learning both Spanish and Italian.
After seven years, however, Hall states that she felt homesick and felt that it was time for her to head back home. She came back to the US and reunited with her family and friends, retiring from her professional basketball career and beginning a new one: coaching. Hall started her coaching career soon after coming back from overseas. She coached at many different colleges for eight whole years, helping out upcoming female athletes and even becoming MEAC’s (Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference) Coach of the Year. She even mentions how she still keeps in contact with her students and basketball teammates, getting invited to weddings, graduations, and other celebrations every once in a while. In total, Hall lived with basketball at her side for almost twenty-three years, playing both as a player and as a coach.
As a female athlete, Hall demonstrates the overpowering ambition and passion of women, both in sports and outside of that. She is considered a pioneer for all women, especially those who wish to become professional players. Hall stands as one of the most accomplished females in the area, having been awarded many medals, awards, and certificates as a woman athlete. And, as previously mentioned, she was the first American woman to play professionally in Finland. She also starred in Rutgers University’s documentary titled “Forgotten Champions” and was featured in the Sports Illustrated issue of June 2022 with a picture of her shooting a jump shot during the National Championship Game. This Championship was also the last women’s championship in the AIAW, before the NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) united both men and women’s college sports, further highlighting the fight for women’s equal rights in sports. Hall truly is a pioneer to other women. She carved the path and broke through barriers for generations to come. Through all her struggles and challenges, Hall continued to push through, and her legacy will live on.
Finally, as the interview came to a wrap, Hall left a piece of advice for all girls and women, “Don’t let fear limit you to reaching your dreams, take some chances, go for it, you can do anything if you put your mind into it.”
