Hal Self was born February 22, 1922 in Anderson, Alabama. Football, basketball and baseball standout at Decatur High School before entering Alabama in 1941. Quarter backed for Tide in 1941, ‘42, ‘44 and ‘45 (no team in war year of ‘43) and played in four major bowls: Cotton, Orange, Sugar and Rose. One of Frank Thomas' famous "war babies,” Self scored two touchdowns in 34-14 Rose Bowl win over Southern California. Won the coveted Jacobs Blocking Award as SEC's best blocking back in 1945. Coached two years at Athens High with record of 15-5. In 1949 he began restoring football program at Florence State (now University of North Alabama) and coached with distinction for 21 years. His record at Florence was 110-81 (often against larger schools). Self gave up coaching in 1969 and became athletic director at UNA.