Steamboat Springs legend Southall selected for U. S. prep hall of fame

Former Steamboat Springs standout athlete and current Cherokee Trail teacher and coach Tom Sout hall was selected for induction into the National High School Hall of Fame class of 2016.

Southall was born without his right hand and wrist and overcame the physical disability to become one of the best athletes in Colorado history, excelling in football, basketball and track at Steamboat Springs from 1979- 81.

He was a two- time Colorado football player of the year and helped lead the Sailors to the 1979 Class 2A state championship. In 1979, he set the state’s single- game rushing record with 412 yards, which now ranks as 11th in Colorado. In 1981, Southall set a track and field record for the 2A long jump with a 23- foot, 4 ½ - inch effort, andwas a key part of Steamboat Springs’ three consecutive 2A state titles. Southall received the Fred Steinmark Award as Colorado male student- athlete of the year in 1981.

His success continued in college as he led the nation in punt return yardage and set an NCAA Division III career mark for kickoff return yards at Colorado College. He was the school’s track MVP all four years and set CC records in the long jump, 200 meters dash and as part of the 4x100- meter relay.

Outside of athletics, South all was amember of the Steamboat Springs jazz and concert bands and was an all- state selection in music on the trumpet.

Southall is one of five athletes in the 2016 induction class and joins four coaches, two administrators and one contest official whowill be inducted into the National Federation of State High School Associations’ National High School Hall of Fame at the Peppermill Resort Spa Casino in Reno, Nev., on July 2.