The lacrosse community is in mourning with the passing of former Vancouver Stealth coach Chris Hall.
Hall, who stepped down following the 2014 National Lacrosse League season after a cancer recurrence, passed away on Sunday morning with his family by his side.
He was 64 and had battled cancer for the past four years.
“(He) was a tremendous coach but more importantly he was an outstanding person and role model who brought out the best in his players,” said Stealth captain Curtis Hodgson, who called the loss devastating.
“The courage he showed while leading our team over the last several seasons despite his health issues have had an enormous impact on us all.”
“Words cannot express the loss and emptiness that we are all feeling right now,” said Stealth president and general manager Doug Locker.
“(Chris) was a dear friend, mentor and confidant. His battle over the last several years has served as an inspiration to all of us who watched him bravely fight this terrible illness.
“He will forever be remembered in our organization and throughout the lacrosse community for all the good he brought to the game we love.”
In September, Hall was inducted into the NLL Hall of Fame.
He was one of only three head coaches to have won NLL Champions Cup titles with two different organizations, winning with Calgary in 2004 and the Stealth in 2010.
Hall won 85 games over his 12-year head coaching career, which is third all-time in the league. He was the NLL co-coach of the year in 2010.
Despite stepping down as coach to focus on his health, Hall was still employed by the Stealth as a senior advisor to the team.
He is survived by his wife Pam, his sons Brock and Drew, his granddaughter Georgia and his sister Janice.
