Former big-man inducted into Olivet Nazarene Athletics Hall of Fame
Posted: Thursday, November 5, 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 6, 2009
Contact:
Nick Birkey
Olivet Nazarene University
Men’s Sports Information Director
Tel. 815-928-5565
E-mail: nbirkey@olivet.edu
Former big-man inducted into Olivet Nazarene Athletics Hall of Fame
Former men’s basketball big-man Drew Neal was among six inducted into the Olivet Nazarene University Department of Athletics Hall of Fame on Friday, November 6, 2009.
Neal was a member of the Olivet men’s basketball team during the 1997-2000 seasons. During Neal’s career, the Tiger men’s basketball team earned its only trip to the NAIA National Tournament “Final Four” in 2000. Neal also played on the 1998 and 1999 National Tournament “Sweet 16” teams.
Neal was selected CCAC All-Conference and as a NAIA Honorable Mention All-American in 2000. He finished in the top 20 on four ONU all-time lists; ninth in scoring with 1,575 points, fourth in rebounding with 935, thirteenth in field goals made with 594, and fifteenth in field goals attempted with 1,113. Neal finished his career with an overall record of 107-40 (.728).
Currently, Neal is a Supervisor of a Business Analyst team within the Information Technology division at the Global Technology Center with the Hertz Corporation. He and his wife, Nadia, an Olivetian herself, live in Oklahoma. They have three sons, Chapman, Findlay, and Dempsey. To mention, Drew’s father, Don Neal, is a member of the ONU Athletic Hall of Fame class of 1991 for his basketball achievements.
Neal joined five other former Olivet athletes as 2009 Hall of Fame honorees. Rainer Caldwell (football, 1990-1993), Lee Coomler (men’s basketball, 1998-2000), Steve Hassell (football, 1987-1990), Matt Schweitzer (baseball, 1997-2000), and Shanda Spurlock (track and field, 1998-1999).
The six inductees bring the total number of inductees into Olivet’s Hall of Fame to 79. The first class was in 1982, when the University inducted former director of athletics and coach C.W. “Butch” Ward.
Nick Birkey
Men's SID
