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Wantland, captain of 1965 team, dies at 63
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Hal Wantland didn’t give up. His body finally gave out.
The Tennessee football captain of 1965 and Jacobs Award winner for his vicious blocks died at home Tuesday, about five weeks after being diagnosed as having cancer. He was 63.
The late Tom Siler, who was News Sentinel sports editor during Wantland’s years (1963-65) as a Vol, wrote in the spring of 1965: “Hal Wantland, UT senior-to-be from Columbia (Tenn.), strong and rrelatively silent, is a modern Teddy Roosevelt. His positive actions speak louder than words.”
He was critical to the success of coach Doug Dickey’s teams at UT. After Wantland was named captain of the 1965 Vols, Dickey was quoted by former New Sentinel sportswriter Marvin West: “Hal Wantland is as deserving an individual to be elected captain as any football player I have ever known. ... He is the type boy every coach would like to have on his team.
“He isn’t concerned about which position he plays. No matter where he lines up he’s going to do a creditable job.”
Mr. Wantland played tailback in the single-wing as a backup to Mallon Faircloth as a sophomore and threw two touchdown passes against Kentucky. Before the Vols traded in the single wing for the T-formation, he ran consecutive quarterback sneaks from the T when the Vols were backed near their goal. He played wingback and was used as a key blocker in the Vols’ wing-T running game under Dickey.
Mike Price, a wide receiver and close friend of Wantland, said: “Hal set a bar that the rest of us couldn’t quite reach.”
His professional career was short-lived — he was drafted in the 16th round by the Washington Redskins and played a few downs with the Miami Dolphins. He became a financial planner and coordinator, a position he held for more than 30 years.
Mr. Wantland was secretary of the UT Lettermen’s Club, and stayed active in that position until just a few days ago, Price said.
The family will receive friends 1-2 p.m. Friday at Central Baptist Church of Bearden, where the funeral will be held at 2 o’clock. The family also will receive friends 5-7:30 p.m. Thursday at Rose Mortuary Mann Heritage Chapel.
© 2008, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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Posted by TommyJack on April 8, 2008 at 7:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)
R.I.P.
Posted by theoldbear on April 8, 2008 at 7:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I watched Hal Wantland play, and had a couple of classes with him on "The Hill." He was as impressive in the class room as he was on the field, and as fine a representative of Tennessee tradition as anyone who ever wore the Orange.
Posted by majorjim1 on April 8, 2008 at 7:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I go back a lot further than most with hal. his dad and my dad worked for the L&N railroad and we were both born in 1963 when our dads were on the same train working. I went to american legion boys state in 1961 with him, from different schools in the same county. I played high school football against him and he was a fierce competitor then. We obviously lost, however he ,always being the gentleman came and shook my hand after the game. i had lost track of him lately, and am saddened by the loss. he was truly a gentleman and a tough fierce competitor.
Posted by pdhuff on April 8, 2008 at 7:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)
A good man done gone.
Posted by murrayvol on April 8, 2008 at 8:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Hal left UT the year before I arrived. Captain of Dickey's first good team. Tougher than a pine knot. Done too soon. What TJ said.
Posted by GerryOP on April 8, 2008 at 8:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Another name and face from my past... done too soon. God bless and God speed Hal...
Posted by richvol on April 8, 2008 at 11:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Hal was one of my first UT heros when I was a boy. He was a tough player on a team that didn't have talent everywhere like so many of todays UT squads. He was one of the reasons that coach Dickey had early success when he came to UT. May the LORD lead him home.
Posted by mparker on April 9, 2008 at 12:15 a.m. (Suggest removal)
dang it;
I was just a little too little to remember him playing. My earliest memories go back to Bobby Scott, Tim Priest, Bobby Majors, guys like that. I know it is going to happen, but it is sad. Some day I'll be seeing Curt Watson, Steve Kiner, Jack Reynolds...all those old UT greats.
Posted by givim6 on April 9, 2008 at 1:04 a.m. (Suggest removal)
richvol: my words exactly. I admired him greatly. Men like him are few and far apart.
God Bless!
Posted by newtonrail on April 9, 2008 at 1:20 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Peace be to your family. I had at least one class with him in '65, and he was a very quiet person. Not what you expect from so many FB players today.
Posted by DadwasaVol on April 9, 2008 at 8:07 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I saw Hal play in the single wing at Shields-Watkins Field. I was there when the T formation was unveiled and a huge cheer erupted. I remember thinking this would be the new way of modern college football.
Posted by snoopbob87 on April 9, 2008 at 8:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I never saw him play in person but hearing his name and how he was regarded by the UT radio play by play announcer still stirs my memory. It was a different time, radio was my link to the Vols. Hal always seemed to be giving a fierce effort. Just the sound of his name over the radio gave me great pride in my state school. I knew the Vols were fighters and not quitters. In many games they were over matched by Alabama or Ole Miss during those days but I wouldn't swap five national championships for the gritty determinations they gave. I have a feeling those men loved the game and the school. Hal, thanks for the saturday afternoon of excitement, pride and memories of UT football.
Posted by volfan on April 10, 2008 at 11:29 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I vividly remember watching and admiring the styly of play exhibited by Hal. I did not know him personaly, but always considered him to be the epitome of what constitutes a true vol. Condolences to his family, friends, team mates, coaches, and fans from from a wide venue. Heaven has got to be a better place with Hal there.
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