Herschel Neil
Track & Field Student-Athlete
Northwest Missouri (1934-37)
Neil was an MIAA All-Conference performer all four years as a track and field standout for the Bearcats from 1934-37. He won 17 individual MIAA titles, set eight Northwest records in four years and won the NCAA triple jump championship in 1936-37. His NCAA record in the event stood until 1952, and his Northwest record stood until 2005. He was a three-time All-American in the triple jump, in 1935, 1936 and 1937. Neil also led the Bearcats to the 1934 MIAA team championship.
He was the AAU Triple Jump Champion in 1936-37, and placed fourth in the triple jump at the 1936 U.S. Olympic Trials. In 1937, he was a Team USA member competing in the Pan American and European Games. Neil set the National Collegiate Record in the triple jump in 1939. During his days at Grandview High School in Gentry County, Missouri, he won individual state titles in track in the 100-yard dash, 220-yard dash, 440-yard dash, long jump, and high jump (tie for first).
Neil was inducted into the Drake Relays Hall of Fame in 1958, where he was a double winner in 1936 in the 100-yard dash and triple jump. He was inducted into the Missouri Sports hall of Fame in 1971, and was inducted into Northwest's "M" Club Hall of Fame in 1982. In 2003, he added the Missouri Track and Cross Country Coaches Association Hall of Fame to his list of honors. The Herschel Neil Track at Northwest is named in his honor, as is the Gymnasium in the Blue Springs School District. On top of all his athletics accomplishments, Neil also served in the U.S. Army from 1943-45 and participated in the "Battle of the Bulge".