This is the third in a series profiling the inductees to the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame.

Hal Easterwood grew up in the football-crazed town of Eupora, in the central part of Mississippi near Starkville.

It only made sense for him to continue his playing days at Mississippi State. He became the first Eupora High player ever to earn All-Southeastern Conference honors and he was chosen as a charter member of the Mississippi State Athletic Hall of Fame.

On Friday in a banquet at the Vicksburg Convention Center, Easterwood will add his name to the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame list.

“I really don’t know what to expect,” Easterwood said from his Laurel home. “I feel very humbled and excited to be able to attend the event.”

Easterwood, then a 6-foot, 190-pound speedy center, played on both offense in defense under Mississippi State coach Murray Warwatch in 1952. He was said to be the team’s fastest lineman. He played center on offense and was a fierce linebacker.

As a junior, Easterwood was selected All-SEC second team as a junior and earned the SEC’s Most Valuable Lineman award as chosen by the Birmingham Touchdown Club.

Easterwood’s exploits extended to the classroom as well. He earned GTE Academic All-American honors and was named Mr. Mississippi State as a senior.

His dedication to education landed him as a teacher and coach at Lee High in Columbus. He had been picked in the 12th round of the 1954 NFL draft by the San Francisco 49ers, but opted for coaching instead.

“I was injured,” Easterwood said. “I hurt my knee and my back and couldn’t pass the physical. I would have liked to give it a try, but I really don’t know where they would have put me because of my size.”

Harper Davis, a Mississippi State graduate, coached at Lee High when he hired Easterwood as a line coach.

Easterwood became head coach in 1956 and held that position through the 1960 season.

He moved to Gardiner High in Laurel as assistant football coach, track coach and teacher.

His coaching career ended in 1965 when he became director of Guidance for the Laurel City Schools and began a distinguished education career.

Easterwood earned a graduate degree from Southern Miss in 1973 and retired from coaching to work full time in educational counseling.

“I liked coaching, but they kept trying to get me into administration,” Easterwood said. “They cut my hours and doubled my pay, so of course I did it.”

Easterwood becomes the 15th charter member of the Mississippi State Hall of Fame to be enshrined in the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame.

Easterwood is retired now and says he, “works for my wife.”