Fresno State Athletics
Cory Hall Donates Back to Fresno State
8/28/2008 12:00:00 AM | General
Aug. 28, 2008
FRESNO, Calif. - The Fresno State athletic department has received its second major gift in a week as athletics director Thomas Boeh announced that former Bulldog football player Cory Hall has made a major gift of $100,000 to the Bulldog Foundation in support of the operating budget of Fresno State athletics.
"Fresno State is my school," Hall said. "It was a pretty easy decision to give back to Fresno State and the football program after speaking with the Fresno State administration about the direction the athletic department is going. Fresno State gave me the opportunity to showcase my talent. The experience I had here with Pat Hill and coach Sweeney was a life altering experience. I am appreciative to Fresno State for giving me that opportunity."
Hall, who is originally from Bakersfield, said he is excited about the potential Fresno State has under the leadership of the new administration
"They are good at what they do," Hall said. "They have the program headed in the right direction. When I go to other schools and see how their program is run and then I see how Fresno State runs its program, I can see that Fresno State is going to be at that level and beyond."
Hall played for the Bulldogs from 1995-98 and was then a third round draft pick by the Cincinnati Bengals in 1999 where he started every game at strong safety while earning All-Pro honors as a rookie. After four years with the Bengals, Hall signed with the Atlanta Falcons in 2003 and played in Atlanta until retiring in 2005.
"We are delighted that Cory has chosen to assume a leadership role in the continued development of Bulldog Athletics," Boeh said. "Given that he is an individual that has achieved extraordinary success at the highest levels of both sport and business, it is indeed gratifying that he has endorsed the evolution of our athletics program. Further, Cory's generosity will benefit hundreds of individuals and serves as a fitting tribute to his own 'student-athlete experience' with Coach Hill and Coach Sweeney."
After retiring from football Hall became the owner of two construction companies; CC Hall Properties Inc. and S. Hall Properties LLC, which have developed and sold properties throughout Florida and Georgia over the past three years. The natural born entrepreneur is also the founder of "New Beginnings" which is a non-profit organization for under privileged families in need of housing, jobs and transportation.
In 2006 he got his introduction to the film and entertainment business as he Co-Executive produced the movie "Restraining Order" starring Robbin Givens. Hall and business partner Terance Frazier started the company 4th Quarter Films Inc. and he is serving as the executive producer of the 2008 release "I Do... I did!"
Hall hopes that his donation and the donation of Frazier last week starts a trend of former Bulldog athletes giving back to the school.
"If you have been put in a position where you are successful you should give back to the people that kick started things for you," Hall said. "For me that was Fresno State."
"Join the State - Fresno State!" - The first Big Ten team will travel to the Valley on September 13th as the No. 25 `Dogs take on Wisconsin in the home opener at 7:30 pm. The game can be seen nationally on ESPN2. All tickets are on sale now. In the month of August, get your official Wisconsin game day t-shirt at the Bulldog Shop for only $10 with any purchase. To purchase tickets, click on the tickets icon at the top of this page, call the Bulldog Ticket Office at (559) 278-DOGS, or stop by the Bulldog Ticket Office.
