VALDOSTA, Ga. – Belhaven University Football Coach Hal Mumme was one of eight new inductees into the Valdosta State University Athletic Hall of Fame last week.
 
VSU Athletic Director Herb Reinhard formally introduced the current Belhaven and former Valdosta State head coach, who patrolled the Valdosta State sidelines from 1992 to 1996, into the 2016 Hall of Fame class last Friday.

"While Coach Mumme's influence spans the national football landscape," said Belhaven Vice President for Athletics Scott Little, "It is most directly felt by the teams he's coached.  For that reason, I know this recognition is especially meaningful to him."
 
Hal Mumme served as the Head Coach for Blazer football for five seasons. During that time, he compiled a 40-17-1 record for the third-most wins in school history.
 
Mumme directed the Blazers to the first two Gulf South Conference Championships in Valdosta State football history in 1994 and 1996.
 
At Valdosta, Mumme's teams were consistently ranked in the Division II top 20 and his 1996 team was ranked #1 in the nation in Division II for part of the season.
 
In 1994, Valdosta State defeated Central Florida 31–14, an upset over the preseason favorite to win the NCAA Division I-AA national football championship.
 
Coach Mumme's ability to bring out the best in student-athletes was reflected by the individual accomplishments of four All-Americans and 38 All-GSC honorees under his leadership.
 
In 1994, Mumme's quarterback Chris Hatcher excelled in Mumme's Air Raid offense and won the Harlon Hill Award as player of the year in NCAA Division II football.
 
Mumme would leave Valdosta State following the 1996 season, moving on to the University of Kentucky.
 
Mumme is set to begin his third season with the Belhaven Blazers football team in 2016.