[February 29, 2008]

By: Houston Taylor

MAGNOLIA, Ark. – Calvin Dale Neal, former Southern Arkansas football All-American, and long-time SAU coach and professor, passed away Wednesday, February 27 in Magnolia. He was born September 8, 1937 in Clarendon, Ark.

Neal played quarterback for what was then Southern State College (SSC) from 1955-57 and 1959, missing the 1958 season while serving Army National Guard obligations. An immediate impact as a freshman, he led the now defunct Arkansas Intercollegiate Conference (AIC) in punting with a 39.6 average and was fifth in the league in passing in 1955. Neal went on to become a NAIA All-America honorable mention selection in 1957 and a third team All-America pick in 1959. He was a first team All-AIC selection three times, finishing second in the league in passing his senior season. While playing football, Neal was also a starter in basketball for the Muleriders, playing four years and serving as team captain in 1959-60. He received his bachelor’s degree in physical education from Southern State in 1960.

Following tryouts with both the NFL’s St. Louis Cardinals and Los Angeles Rams, Neal got his coaching start at Hooks (Texas) High School where he was a football assistant in 1960 and 1961 and head coach the next two years. He returned to Arkansas in 1965 and served as head coach at Arkadelphia for two years.

After receiving his master’s degree from Henderson State in 1966, Neal returned to his alma mater as an assistant football coach for the Muleriders, first for the late Auburn Smith from 1966-1968, and then for Raymond (Rip) Powell from 1969-1975. Serving as offensive coordinator, he was a key member of the SSC staff that won the AIC football championship in 1972.

After retiring from coaching, Neal served Southern Arkansas as assistant vice-president for academics to Dr. Lowell Logan from 1975-1981. He worked as the university’s registrar from 1981-87 and completed his career as certification officer for education from 1987-1996.

Neal was inducted into the Southern Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame in 2004.

A member of Central Baptist Church, Neal served as both a deacon and Sunday school teacher. He is survived by his wife, Vonceil; two sons, Mike and wife Carol of Magnolia, and Scott of Little Rock; one daughter, Terri Hoglund and husband Bill of Hope; one sister, Pemmie Davis and husband Frank of Roe; one grandson, Zac Hoglund of Hope; and two granddaughters, Samantha and Suzannah Neal of Magnolia. Zac currently serves as a student assistant in the SAU sports information department.

Neal is preceded in death by his parents, the late Floyd and Annie (Jones) Neal, and a granddaughter, Heidi Hoglund.

Visitation with the family was held Friday at Lewis Funeral Home in Magnolia. Funeral services will be Saturday at 10:30 a.m. at Central Baptist Church in Magnolia with Bro. Steve Ford officiating. Burial will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to Central Baptist Church, the Southern Arkansas athletic department, or to the Heidi Hoglund Scholarship Fund at First National Bank in Hope.