Chattanooga, TN. – A truly gifted athlete, Mr. Hale arrived on the Fisk campus as a very unheralded Track and Field gem. The native Chattanoogan (Howard High) became a sensation in his first year as he became one of the best-known athletes in town and specifically on the Fisk campus as his feats of athletic prowess became heralded by the Nashville Tennessean and Banner and his performances documented. Fisk’s Sports Hall of Fame coach John C. Martin was queried as to where he’d found such a talented player. Coach Martin, a very wise man, kept his hand close to the vest and only answered in very vague terms.
Tony, while somewhat eccentric, was an extremely hard worker and the result of that work is evidenced in his success in competition. His victory in the Penn Relays was a very significant occurrence as the Penn Relays was and continues to be a magnet for the greatest athletes in the world.
Never one to shrink from a challenge, his capturing the Decathlon title at the Florida Relays was an absolutely astounding event given the level of competition that he overcame. A truly great athlete and son of Fisk University. Arguably the greatest athlete in the history of the University.
An endorsement of Mr. Hale comes from Reverend Lurone Jennings Fisk ’75:
“I endorse Tony Hale as a Fisk University Athletic Hall of Famer. Tony was an outstanding athlete from The Howard School of Chattanooga, TN, where he lettered in football, basketball and track.
Tony received a track scholarship to Fisk University and broke records in almost every event he participated in. Tony Hale was an awesome athlete and always led Fisk to greatness in track & field during his tenure.”