Hal Johnston
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- Class of:
- 1972
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- Induction Class of:
- 1980
Recognized as a superlative basketball player while at Roanoke College. Also lettered in tennis for the 1971 and '72 teams. He was renowned for his competitiveness, passing and long-range shooting.
During his four years of basketball, Johnston was honored as: team captain, All-Mason Dixon First-Team (1972), All-Tournament team Mason Dixon Conference (1972), All-Tournament NCAA South Atlantic Regional, All-Tournament NCAA College Division, and Roanoke College’s Outstanding Male Athlete, 1972.
He helped lead the Maroons to the school's first National Championship during the 1971-72 season. In the final three games of the national tournament, he averaged 23 points per game en route to earning the NCAA Tournament's Most Valuable Player Award.
Johnston became the first Roanoke College athlete ever to receive First-Team All-American honors. He finished his illustrious career with 1,322 points (14th All-Time) and is currently third all-time in career free-throw percentage (82.8%).
A hometown favorite of Salem, Johnston became known as "Hal-lelujah" for his clutch play in big games. He career-high was 33 points in an upset win over nationally-ranked Mount St. Mary's as a sophomore.
