Football Star Honored for ‘Leadership, Sportsmanship, Character, Integrity’

Third-year University of Virginia student-athlete Bryce Hall, college football’s leading pass defender in 2018 and a leading mentor in area schools, has been awarded the prestigious T. Rodney Crowley Jr. Memorial Scholarship.

Awarded to an accomplished student who demonstrates leadership, sportsmanship, character and integrity, the Crowley Scholarship provides the equivalent of full in-state tuition for the recipient’s undergraduate fourth year. Last year’s honor went to UVA men’s basketball center Jack Salt, a fan favorite who was also named to the Atlantic Coast Conference All-Academic Team this year.

Hall, an All-ACC defensive back, led the nation last year in pass breakups and tied for the national lead in total passes defended. The Football Writers Association named him to its All-American team; the Walter Camp Foundation, which bestows the nation’s oldest college football All-American honor, named him to its second team.

Hall also shines in the classroom. A fixture on UVA Athletics’ Academic Honor Roll, he majors in youth and social innovation in UVA’s Curry School of Education and Human Development. The program focuses on creative problem-solving skills to develop pioneers in education.

He has an impressive record of involvement in Charlottesville-area schools, where he teaches basic reading and writing skills. Hall has volunteered at local elementary schools through community organizations such as the Boy’s and Girl’s Club, and works with the youth groups at his local church. He also visits with the elderly in assisted-living facilities.

“Bryce is an outstanding ambassador for our program, and he exemplifies the qualities and characteristics that represent the T. Rodney Crowley Memorial Scholarship,” Cavalier head football coach Bronco Mendenhall said. “Bryce has a passionate dedication to his craft, and that standard has allowed him to be recognized as one of the nation’s top players at his position. At the same time, he is a humble young man and equally focused on serving as a team leader and raising the standards for the football program.

“His ambition to ultimately help others through the power of education is admirable and something we look forward to watching him pursue with great enthusiasm.”

Hall graduated from Bishop McDevitt High School in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, where he also played basketball and was involved in Student Life ministry.

The T. Rodney Crowley Jr. Memorial Scholarship was established in 1991 to honor a rising fourth-year student who best exemplifies the qualities and characteristics of the award’s namesake.

Remembered as the consummate student, athlete, coach and friend, Crowley played varsity tennis each of his four years at Virginia and captained the team before competing professionally. After taking his degree from the College of Arts & Sciences in 1980, he coached the 1981 UVA women’s tennis team to a 15-9 season and state championship.

Nominations for the Crowley Scholarship were submitted in February. Finalists were interviewed by a committee of Crowley Scholarship Trustees, which consists of University alumni, several of whom are past winners of the award.

For information, visit crowleyscholarship.com.