Dale Neal

Inducted in 2018

Coaching

Few programs in history have seen the levels of success and consistency that NAIA Hall of Fame Coach Dale Neal has brought to the Freed-Hardeman women's basketball program, having compiled a record of 673-176 and a winning percentage of .792 at the time of his induction.

Throughout his coaching career at FHU, the Lady Lions are one of only two NAIA programs to have won at least 20 games and competed in the NAIA National Championship every year. The 2018 season, which garnered Freed-Hardeman's first-ever National Championship, marked the team's 22nd straight appearance in the NAIA National Tournament, all of which were during Neal's tenure.

Under Neal's direction, Freed-Hardeman has also been a fixure in both the NAIA Top-25 poll and the NAIA National Tournament. The Lady Lions have made seven total appearances in the Fab Four (1999, 2008, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2018) and two appearances in the National Championship game (2014, 2018) with their first-ever national title coming in 2018. The Lady Lions have also won eight conference championships (TranSouth: 2004, 2005, 2006, 2011, 2013; American Midwest: 2014, 2015, 2017) and seven regular-season Conference Championships under Neal's direction.

In addition to Neal's NAIA Coach of the Year honor in 2018, he has also been named the Conference Coach of the Year eight times, including earning WBCA/NAIA National Coach of the Year honors during the 2014-15and 2016-17 seasons.

At the time of his induction, Neal enters his 49th year as a head coach and 25th year at the helm of the Lady Lion basketball program, having compiled a 906-272 career coaching record.

Prior to his time as Freed-Hardeman, Neal coached the men's basketball team at York College in Nebraska for 11 years, where his teams combined for a record of 234-96 (.709) before coming to FHU. During his time at York, Neal received seven Coach of the Year awards, including an NJCAA Region IX Coach of the Year Award.

Neal holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Harding University ('69) and a Master of Physical Education degree from the University of Nebraska ('80). He and his wife, Kathy, reside in Henderson and have four children and 13 grandchildren.