He’s been called the best defender Canada West had ever seen when he graced the pitch.
Gordon Hall’s smarts, skills and size backed the UNBC men’s soccer squad in critical moments, some that turned out to be historic for the Prince George post-secondary in establishing themselves at Canada’s highest level of university sport.
By virtue of the talent he displayed for five years in a green and gold uniform, the school has unveiled his induction to the Timberwolves’ Wall of Honour this morning (March 30).
The Chilliwack product provided two key firsts for both the soccer program and UNBC Athletics overall.
Not only did he help lead the men’s team to its first-ever playoff appearance in the 2017-18 season, the only one for the program to-date since joining U SPORTS in 2012, he also became the first T-Wolf from any of the programs to earn multiple conference All-Star nods.
He earned three picks in the final three years of his collegiate career; Canada West second team in 2017 and 2018, and first team in 2019.
“I would argue he was the best in the country. He made us so much better,” said Owen Stewart, Hall’s teammate of three seasons.
“But, just as important as that was his ability to nurture the younger players and help them develop. Anyone who played with him would tell you about his kindness to everyone he meets. He deserves this so much. He will forever be a face of the UNBC Timberwolves.”
Hall is also the only UNBC player to win Male Athlete of the Year twice, receiving the high honour in 2018 and 2019.
The six-foot defender’s senior season, despite missing out of the playoffs by a single point, resulted in a 6-4-5 record, the first above 500 season for the men’s soccer program.
Coach Simonson believes Hall left a lasting legacy once the final whistle blew, known for his discipline and physicality, but also his sportsmanship and strive for greatness.
“By that fifth year, he had earned so much respect. It is no coincidence that our improvement as a team coincided with his growth as a player,” Simonson explained.
“He really did raise the confidence of every single player around him with his consistent performance. Gordon’s personal growth over the five years was immense, and the program is undoubtedly better because of his involvement.”
Hall’s competitive nature was immediately taken notice when he moved to Prince George from the lower mainland. He originally committed to the University of the Fraser Valley, but due to an injury, he wasn’t placed on the Cascades’ active roster, meaning he was able to shop schools and ended up at UNBC.
Amongst the growing pains of the first few seasons, the Abbotsford Mariners club player never waivered the chance to show his style and stand tall against his opponents.
Hall went on to win three UNBC Men’s Soccer Best Defensive Player (2016, 2017, 2019) and team MVP honours (2016, 2018, 2019).
“Gord’s incredible technical skill was so apparent,” explained Jesse Rake, who was positioned ahead of Hall at midfield between 2015 and 2019.
“His touch was always sharp. He could hit the ball, and he was always seeing plays develop before anyone else. He was so important to the culture that Coach Steve was trying to build. It wouldn’t be anywhere near what it is, if not for Gordon. He was the best defender in Canada West, but also an incredible team-builder.”
By the end of his career, Hall established himself among some top-10 finishes in the UNBC history books.
- Fifth = 62 all-time T-Wolves men’s soccer games started
- Sixth = 64 all-time T-Wolves men’s soccer games played
- Eighth = 19 all-time T-Wolves men’s soccer shots on goal
In the off-seasons, he played three years in the USL Premier Development League; two with FC Tucson and one with the Victoria Highlanders.
Hall still lives in Prince George, according to UNBC, and remains part of the Timberwolves’ training core for the next generation of footballers.
He’s the 14th inductee to the T-Wolves’ Wall of Honour and is the fifth soccer player of the 15-member inaugural class.
There are now three men’s soccer alumni on the Wall, including Scott Debianchi and Tofa Fakunle, who played four seasons with Hall.
The full list of current inductees are as follows (in order of announcements):
- Inderbir Gill (men’s basketball)
- Tofa Fakunle (men’s soccer)
- Mercedes VanKoughnett (women’s basketball)
- Sidney Roy (women’s soccer)
- Jay Gladish (men’s basketball)
- Jaclyn Nazareno (women’s basketball)
- Scott Debianchi (men’s soccer)
- 2010 Men’s Basketball Team (UNBC Athletics)
- Vasiliki Louka (women's basketball)
- Zane Robison (UNBC Athletics)
- Franco Kouagnia (men's basketball)
- Madison Emmond (women's soccer)
- Lindsay Anderson (women's basketball)
- Gordon Hall
