UTSports Men's Athletics
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 Jeff Hall
UTsports.com hosts a live one-hour chat with a member of the Tennessee football family every home football Friday from 1-2 p.m. ET. This Friday's guest is three-time All-SEC placekicker and UT's all-time scoring leader Jeff Hall.

A native of Winchester, Tenn., Hall lettered for the Vols from 1995-98 and was a key contributor on Tennessee's 1998 national championship team. He racked up 371 points during his career on Rocky Top and played on back-to-back SEC Championship squads in 1997 and 1998.

His clutch 41-yard field goal in overtime against Florida in 1998 proved to be the game-winner in that dramatic contest, which built momentum for Tennessee's perfect 13-0 season. Friday marks the 10-year anniversary of that memorable game at Neyland Stadium.

Hall's academic prowess earned him Academic All-America honors in 1996, and he also earned the rare distinction of being named to the SEC Academic Honor Roll four times.

Big Orange fans from around the world are encouraged to log on to UTsports.com and submit questions, which may be submitted in advance of Friday's live session or through the duration of the chat. Due to time constraints, it may not be possible to answer all questions. All submissions require the accompaniment of the submitter's name, city and state.

Dr. Rob Hardin is the moderator for UT's Live Football Chats. Hardin is an associate professor in the Sport Management program at Tennessee. He teaches and conducts research in the areas of collegiate athletics and sport communication. He also assists the Sports Information Office with game-day operations.

Rob Hardin: Greetings Vol fans. Jeff Hall is on campus and making his way to the Sports Information Office. We have a good bank of questions started but if you would like to ask Jeff anything send in your question.
Rob Hardin: Jeff has made it to the office despite the lack of parking on campus.
Nolan (St. Louis, Mo.): I'm a football coach trying to get my kids more involved in FCA. What did FCA mean to you and have you continued your association?
Jeff Hall: I actually spoke at an FCA event this morning at William Blount High School. I currently raise money for James Mitchell, the chaplain here at the University of Tennesee. I still have a heavy involvement with FCA. While I was at UT, God really showed me a lot about Himself and as a result I grew spiritually during my years at UT. FCA was a big part of that.
Michael, Lawrenceburg Tn: In your years at Tennessee, what kick do you remember the most and can you compare how nervous you get for a game winning kick with something that everybody could relate to?
Jeff Hall: For me personally, the game-winning field goal against Georgia in 1995 laid the foundation for the rest of my career. However, the overtime field goal against Florida in 1998 was bigger in the grand scheme of things. I was nervous before every kick regardless of the situation. There is nothing to compare to that.
Roger (Asheville, N.C.): Were you disappointed that you didn't make an NFL team? How did you handle it when your career finally ended? I really thought you had the leg to kick in the NFL.
Jeff Hall: First of all, thanks for the compliment! I was disappointed when my career ended but I was ready to being real life and start doing something else besides football.
Mark (D.C.): Glad to hear you're doing well after your playing days. How did playing for UT set you up for your current job?
Jeff Hall: I knew I wanted to live in Knoxville, and the exposure that came with being a UT football player has helped me get in the door with a lot of clients. However, I learned real quickly that just because people like you doesn't mean they will do business with you. You have to be more than competent to earn someone's business. By the way, I am a financial advisor here in Knoxville.
Joseph (Memphis): What financial advice can you give with the stock market in flux now?
Jeff Hall: Surfing in Costa Rica sounds good to me! Seriously, make sure you have cash in an emergency fund, pay off as much consumer debt as you can (cut up the credit cards), and keep buying the stock market.
Elizabeth from Barnwell, S.C.: Jeff, I've noticed that there are no more barefoot kickers in college football. Why is that the case?
Jeff Hall: Because it stings. I know from experience that I could never kick more than four or five times barefoot before it becomes to painful to kick.
J.Paul / Clinton,TN: Jeff, what went through your mind after you kick that winning field goal that beat Florida in 1998? Did you realize at that time how important that was to your team that day?
Jeff Hall: Honestly, I figured they would make their field goal and we would go into a second overtime. However, when Florida missed its field goal, I realized at that moment what kind of opportunity we had for the rest of the season.
Carlos from Chicago, Ill.: Have you worked with any of the kickers that have followed you at UT?
Jeff Hall: I try to stay out of the way because if the kids are here then obviously they are very talented and don't need my help. However, I did work with James Wilhoit a little but only because he has been a friend of mine for such a long time. I coached him at some camps when he was in high school.
Sara (Atlanta): How many of your former teammates do you keep in touch with and what are some of them doing now?
Jeff Hall: I keep in touch with a few especially the ones that live around here in Knoxville. We always seem to run into each other at the same events. Will Bartholomew is still a close friend of mine, and the one teammate that I try to keep in touch with as much as possible. Will is running D1 Training in Nashville.
Thom Chattanooga: What advise would you give Daniel Lincoln after the UCLA game to keep his head in the game? I'll hang up and listen.
Jeff Hall: He has made plenty of pressure kicks before but every now and then, everybody is going to miss a couple. He has just got to remember that he has already proven he can kick at this level.
Johnny M. (Knoxville): Was it difficult replacing a legend like John Becksvoort?
Jeff Hall: I didn't feel a lot of pressure replacing John. It was more of a responsibility to me. I was expected to come in and perform immediately and watching and learning from John my redshirt year definitely helped me prepare mentally for the challenge.
Greg Nashville: Will you be at the Florida game tomorrow? I saw where Al Wilson is the Legend of the Game, what did he mean to the 1998 team?
Jeff Hall: Yes, I will be at the game. Anytime I can talk about Al Wilson I consider it an honor and a privilege. First, Al Wilson is my favorite Tennessee football player of all time. He epitomizes that "warrior spirit" that I think every guy would like to have. He led with his words and his emotion on and off the field. But it was the way he played the game that was inspiring.
Sammy (Atlanta): How are kickers treated on the team? Were you guys off on your own most of the time or were you in the middle of all those big guys?
Jeff Hall: We did spend time on our own, however, I usually stretched with the linemen and it seemed like as long as I made my field goals, everybody liked me. I stretched with the linemen because I respected them for what they did -- guys like Bubba Milller, Jeff Smith, Jason Layman and Kevin Mays. It is a thankless job but I also knew they had to protect me when I was kicking.
Ted from Jackson: Who is more legendary in Winchester, you or coach Fulmer?
Jeff Hall: I would say Coach Fulmer but he would say me because I helped him get a raise in 1998. :)
Lisa from Maryville: What is your hold Benson Scott up to nowadays?
Jeff Hall: I had dinner with him the other night. He is a doctor here in Knoxville and is married with two kids. He has a beautiful family and a great career. I am so happy for him.
Jacky (Dothan, Alabama): When did you know that championship team was special?
Jeff Hall: After we beat Florida. Which by the way, today is the 10th anniversary of that game.
John (Franklin): Did you have any special pregame ritual or superstitions before you kicked? What was your routine before you hit the field?
Jeff Hall: I always wore the same wristbands and same socks for the entire season. They were washed after each game. I had my junior high football workout shirt that I wore under my shoulder pads. I did have a routine the day of the game like reading certain Bible verses, getting stretched at a certain time, and the same schedule during warm-ups.
Jason (Huntsville, AL): Who recruited you to Tennessee and did you ever consider going anywhere else?
Jeff Hall: I committed to Tennessee in December of my junior year in high school. Coach Cutcliffe recruited me because I was in his area of the state, and Coach Fulmer came to Winchester to see me because he had an excuse to come to his home town. The first recruiting letter I got actually came from Alabama. But there was no way I was ever going to wear that miserable crimson. My mother hates Alabama more than me. Every year before the Alabama game she would hang a red stuffed elephant by an orange noose from a tree in our front yard. I think we lost the elephant but she still hates Alabama.
Rob Hardin: We only have time for a couple more questions.
Tanner / Birmingham: What do you remember most about the 1998 national championship game?
Jeff Hall: That I missed a 30-yard field goal in the first quarter. On a more positive note, I remember standing on the podium with Coach Fulmer, Tee and Peerless accepting the National Championship Trophy. Definitely something I will never forget.
Rob Hardin: It is now time for our last question.
Jake (Maryville): How did you get started kicking? Who was/is your favorite NFL kicker?
Jeff Hall: I got my start kicking off a block of wood in my backyard while my dad was holding. There were two trees that served as goal posts until my dad built a goal post in the front yard. It is still there. I learned my technique from the book that came with the tee that Jan Stenerud designed for soccer-style placekickers. You can still buy the tee at Wal-Mart.
Jeff Hall: Thanks for everyone's questions. I am sorry we did not get to all of them. Win or lose, we always need support our Vols. Hope to see everyone at the game tomorrow! Tennessee 24, Florida 21. Defense and kicking wins championships!
Rob Hardin: Thanks for joining us today. We will be back in two weeks, Friday, Oct. 3. Check UTsports.com early that week for the announcement of that Friday's guest.

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