IRVING, TEXAS – Former West Chester University head coach and alum, Danny Hale ('68), has been selected as a member of the 2024 College Football Hall of Fame Class it was announced by the National Football Foundation during ESPN's "Championship Drive" Presented by Allstate Monday afternoon.

Hale coached his alma mater from 1984 to 1988, before moving over to Bloomsburg University where he led the Huskies' football program from 1993 until his retirement in 2012. Hale is the second individual with West Chester University ties to be elected to the NFF College Football Hall of Fame, joining W. Glenn Killinger, who was elected in 1971 for his accolades on the gridiron as quarterback at Penn State in 1920 and 1921. Killinger later became head coach at West Chester University.

During his tenure at Bloomsburg, Hale won 173 games, the most in school history, guided the Huskies to nine playoff appearances and at least a share of 14 Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Eastern Division titles. He was named the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Division II Coach of the Year in 2000 when he led Bloomsburg to the national championship game.

While at West Chester, Hale rang up an overall record of 40-13 for a .755 winning percentage, including a 27-3 mark against the rest of the PSAC East. He won at least a share of the PSAC Eastern Division crown three of his five years on campus and guided the Golden Rams to their first NCAA Tournament in 1988. He also got the Purple & Gold to the PSAC Championship Game on two occasions (1986, 1987). He never lost more than one conference game in any given year and never finished below second place.

"I have known Danny Hale for over 50 years, both as a coaching colleague and a friend," former West Chester University football head coach Rick Daniels said. "Danny had a way of bringing out the best in his players and in his coaches. This is a well-deserved honor. Congrats Danny."

Hale was a defensive lineman for the Golden Rams from 1965-67 helping West Chester reach the Tangerine Bowl (currently the Florida Citrus Bowl) in both 1966 and 1967 in Orlando, Florida.

The Class of 2024 will be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame on Tuesday, December 10 at the 66th NFF Annual Awards Dinner at the Bellagio Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. 

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