University of Memphis Athletics
Photo by: Joe Murphy
Protect & Serve: Austin Hall
Oct 17, 2018 | Football
Tigers linebacker prepares for future in the U.S. Marshals Service.
Note: The Austin Hall feature story first appeared in the Tigers Football GameDay program when Memphis hosted South Alabama Sept. 22.
Justice. Integrity. Service.
Those three words are the motto and lifeblood of a United States Marshal.
The U.S. Marshals Service was the first federal law enforcement agency in the United States, having served the country since 1789 in a uniquely central position in the federal justice system.
From protecting the federal judiciary to operating the Witness Security Program, U.S. Marshals are a critical and crucial piece in our judicial system.
It takes a devoted person to have the passion and desire to pursue a field in law enforcement. The hours are countless. Difficult situations may arise. It's a thankless job much of the time.
Cue Austin Hall, an outside linebacker from Collierville, Tenn., with the desire to pursue a post-football career in law enforcement. Hall, a 2018 University of Memphis graduate with a degree in criminal justice, has always expressed an interest in law enforcement, and the U.S. Marshals is the agency at the top of his list.
"At a young age, I took an interest in law enforcement," stated Hall. "I would watch television shows that caught my eye, and they really sparked my interest. I've always wanted to do it and now I am interested in working at the federal level.
"It can be hard for people who work in that field. The people that do those jobs are special people because it's hard on you and your family. It can take a toll on you. You have to want to do it because it's not an easy job."
During the summer of 2017, Hall had the opportunity to be an intern with the Bartlett Police Department. Over the course of eight weeks, Hall saw firsthand the inner workings of law enforcement, from riding in a squad car to observing surveillance in burglary situations with detectives.
John Kane, a detective with the Bartlett Police Department, knew from day one of working with Hall that he has what it takes – the "it" factor – to pursue his desired career path.
"He (Hall) has what I would call the 'it' factor," stated Kane. "He picked up on everything. When we would do something, he would ask why and realize why we were doing it. He has a knack for it. I can tell that he really enjoyed it when we were riding around the streets together. I could just tell he was someone who has it in him."
Having that characteristic isn't just associated with the work Hall put in during his internship with Kane and the Bartlett Police Department. It also directlyÂ
translates to the football field.
"He is the type of kid that you want your son to turn out to be," said defensive coordinator Chris Ball. "When you talk about character, he is a great person. When you talk about work ethic, he is smart, tough, extremely talented at what he does. He is one of our best leaders."Â
Hall has had that quality since stepping foot on the campus in 2015.
Selected a game captain four times, Hall has started every game in which he has played and has the second-most starts career-wise on the Memphis defense. He also has had success in the classroom, earning a 2017 CoSIDA Academic All-District nod, as well as three American Athletic Conference All-Academic Team honors.
"I love coaching him during games because he's calm, he tells you what he thinks and what is going on," Ball added. "He has great questions, and he has great answers. He's just one of those kids that doesn't come around very often in a coaching career."
Although Hall has his initial sights set on playing in the NFL, his experiences with football have helped prepare him for any future career in law enforcement.
"Working in law enforcement is hard on you and your family," said Hall. "They are tough people and have tough jobs. Relating that to being on the football field, players go through a lot of adversity. You have to be mentally strong to handle that."
Justice. Integrity. Service.
Those three words are the motto and lifeblood of a United States Marshal.
The U.S. Marshals Service was the first federal law enforcement agency in the United States, having served the country since 1789 in a uniquely central position in the federal justice system.
From protecting the federal judiciary to operating the Witness Security Program, U.S. Marshals are a critical and crucial piece in our judicial system.
It takes a devoted person to have the passion and desire to pursue a field in law enforcement. The hours are countless. Difficult situations may arise. It's a thankless job much of the time.
Cue Austin Hall, an outside linebacker from Collierville, Tenn., with the desire to pursue a post-football career in law enforcement. Hall, a 2018 University of Memphis graduate with a degree in criminal justice, has always expressed an interest in law enforcement, and the U.S. Marshals is the agency at the top of his list.
"At a young age, I took an interest in law enforcement," stated Hall. "I would watch television shows that caught my eye, and they really sparked my interest. I've always wanted to do it and now I am interested in working at the federal level.
"It can be hard for people who work in that field. The people that do those jobs are special people because it's hard on you and your family. It can take a toll on you. You have to want to do it because it's not an easy job."
During the summer of 2017, Hall had the opportunity to be an intern with the Bartlett Police Department. Over the course of eight weeks, Hall saw firsthand the inner workings of law enforcement, from riding in a squad car to observing surveillance in burglary situations with detectives.
John Kane, a detective with the Bartlett Police Department, knew from day one of working with Hall that he has what it takes – the "it" factor – to pursue his desired career path.
"He (Hall) has what I would call the 'it' factor," stated Kane. "He picked up on everything. When we would do something, he would ask why and realize why we were doing it. He has a knack for it. I can tell that he really enjoyed it when we were riding around the streets together. I could just tell he was someone who has it in him."
Having that characteristic isn't just associated with the work Hall put in during his internship with Kane and the Bartlett Police Department. It also directlyÂ
translates to the football field.
"He is the type of kid that you want your son to turn out to be," said defensive coordinator Chris Ball. "When you talk about character, he is a great person. When you talk about work ethic, he is smart, tough, extremely talented at what he does. He is one of our best leaders."Â
Hall has had that quality since stepping foot on the campus in 2015.
Selected a game captain four times, Hall has started every game in which he has played and has the second-most starts career-wise on the Memphis defense. He also has had success in the classroom, earning a 2017 CoSIDA Academic All-District nod, as well as three American Athletic Conference All-Academic Team honors.
"I love coaching him during games because he's calm, he tells you what he thinks and what is going on," Ball added. "He has great questions, and he has great answers. He's just one of those kids that doesn't come around very often in a coaching career."
Although Hall has his initial sights set on playing in the NFL, his experiences with football have helped prepare him for any future career in law enforcement.
"Working in law enforcement is hard on you and your family," said Hall. "They are tough people and have tough jobs. Relating that to being on the football field, players go through a lot of adversity. You have to be mentally strong to handle that."
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