CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va.  – 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 (UVA parlance for senior year). Last year’s honors went to acclaimed and popular UVA Men’s Basketball center Jack Salt.
 
Hall, an All-ACC defensive back, led the nation last year for the most pass breakups and tied for most passes defended. The Football Writers Association of America named him to its All-America team. He earned second-team All-America accolades through the Walter Camp Foundation, the nation’s oldest college football All-America honor.
 
The star cornerback also shines in the classroom. Hall has made UVA’s Athletics Academic Honor Roll over several semesters. In UVA’s Curry School of Education and Human Development, he majors in youth and social innovation, a program that focuses on creative problem-solving skills in developing pioneers in education.
 
He has an equally impressive record of community 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 he 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,” said UVA football head coach Bronco Mendenhall. “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, Pa., where he also played basketball and was involved in Student Life ministry. 
 
One of the University’s most prestigious undergraduate awards, The T. Rodney Crowley Jr. Memorial Scholarship was established in 1991 to honor that rising fourth-year student who best exemplifies the qualities and characteristics of its 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 UVA Women’s Tennis to a 15-9 season and state championship in 1981. Crowley was a member of Zeta Psi social fraternity, the semi-secret and philanthropic Z Society, and T.I.L.K.A. He died of brain cancer in 1991. 
 
Nominations for the Crowley Scholarship were submitted in the spring. 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 further information, go to www.crowleycholarship.com.