NEAL, continued from page 37
2 margin. At the U.S. Olympic Team Trials in Dallas, Texas, Neal reached the final series against McCoy, but McCoy earned the Olympic berth with two straight matches. McCoy won the first match 4-1, and the second 6-4. “He was a great wrestler. Kerry was very good at knowing his strengths and weaknesses and knowing his opponent’s strengths and weaknesses. He flat out beat me. You have to give him credit. It’s funny how things work. Had I won in Dallas, maybe I wouldn’t have had the football opportunity,” said Neal. Neal made another run at the U.S. World Team in 2001, but lost again to McCoy in the World Team Trials championship series, this time in three matches. It was then that Neal gave football a try, and never looked back. Neal never really left wrestling during his years with the
Patriots, showing up at events such as the NCAA Championships, and keeping in touch with his friends within the sport. When asked, Neal made himself available for the sport when possible.
He was active with the Cal State-Bakersfield program, work- SLAY, Continued from page 26
silver and bronze, respectively. I actually think the Turk was more excited than me because he went from fourth place and no medal to having the bronze medal placed around his neck. Even after receiving the gold and hearing the lady tell me,
"You will forever be Olympic champion," my understanding did- n't change. Yes, my gold medal is very special to USAW, my community, coaches, and me. But, there is something greater than the golds of the World. There is a greater treasure, a greater peace, a greater reward - a Greater Gold. The greatest
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ing out with the team and helping coach the athletes during his football off-season. When the university announced that it would drop the wrestling program, it was Stephen Neal who stepped up to save the sports programs on campus. Using contacts within professional football and other sports, Neal organized many successful fundraising events, which ulti- mately led to a number of sports being retained. Since then, the team continues to fundraise in the community, and Neal remains committed to helping raise the needed funds, year in and year out.
“It’s about keeping wrestling in California,” said Neal.
“Wrestling is so important, not only for all the kids but for our country. You work hard, you get rewarded. That is how America should be. That’s not the way it is going. We need a sport like wrestling to put us on track where hard work pays off.” Neal has retired from football, and was inducted this year into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame. He remains busy helping his wife raise his children and staying active in community events. He is now able to say yes to all of the things he had to decline when his football career took center stage.
gold I have in my life is my faith, family, friends, and integrity. Heck, I can live without an Olympic gold medal, but I can't live without my faith, family, friends, and desire to be the best man I can be. No Olympic success trumps those treasures. I call it the Greater Gold philosophy - go for the gold but real- ize there is something greater. I believe it's the ideal path, and it's been proven by a myriad of champions that you can indeed do both. You can guarantee our Olympic Team will be hearing this wisdom heading into London. Go Team USA!
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