New Pittsburgh Courier

It was ‘Bill Neal Day’ in Penn Hills, Nov. 22…Longtime Courier sports columnist honored for community work

BILL NEAL receives the proclamation from Penn Hills, Nov. 22. (Photo by April Joi Payne)

by Smokin’ Jim Frazier and Rob Taylor Jr.

For New Pittsburgh Courier

Apparently it’s true what they say… “You can always go home!” As was the case on Tuesday, Nov. 22, when Penn Hills lifelong resident and longtime Courier sports columnist Bill Neal was honored by Penn Hills Mayor Pauline Calabrese and Council during its budget meeting.

BILL NEAL, with Penn Hills Mayor Pauline Calabrese.

Neal, a 1970 Penn Hills High School graduate and member of the Penn Hills Sports Hall of Fame, was recognized and honored for his 48 years (and counting) of dedicated community service both in Penn Hills, the City of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County. Specifically in Penn Hills, Neal has hosted the Armon Gilliam/Leroy Freeman Memorial Hardwork Basketball Camp at the Penn Hills YMCA for the past 10 years. Neal also joined forces with the Elite Corvette Club of Pittsburgh, Mayor Calabrese and Councilman Frank Pecora to sponsor “The Great Thanksgiving Turkey Giveaway” at the Penn Hills Eat ‘n’ Park, where over 400 turkeys were distributed. And let’s not forget about the “Toys for Champions” toy giveaway where Mayor Calabrese, state Senator Jay Costa and Jerry Chipinelli were on hand to help give out over 2,000 toys to families in need. The 12-hour event operated on a year the day after a four-inch snowstorm, but still witnessed a traffic backup of 400-plus cars, serving over 1,500 boys and girls.

Many will recognize Neal for his 40-plus years operating recognizable programs such as the nationally and internationally saluted Connie Hawkins Pro/Amateur Summer Basketball League, The Franco Harris All-Pro Football Camp, Willie Stargell MVP Awards, Highland Park Tennis Association Mixed-Doubles Tennis Tournament, and the Kenny Durrett High School All-Star Basketball Tournament. Add the Pittsburgh City League High School All Sports Hall of Fame Inductions to the list, too.

Mayor Calabrese read the proclamation aloud, which included: “Whereas, Bill Neal has spent decades working to keep young people off the streets and on the right path with sports programs, classes and mentoring efforts throughout the region…and has helped so many of our area’s young people get into college…I, Pauline Calabrese, do hereby proclaim November 22nd, 2022, as Bill Neal Day in the municipality of Penn Hills.”

BILL NEAL gave Pittsburgh Police Officer David Shifren the Pittsburgh Allegheny County Service Award in 2017.

Dressed in a black suit, Neal addressed those in the audience after receiving the proclamation: “I was inducted into the Hall of Fame a few years ago, and at that time I was reminded of how great Penn Hills has been and continues to be…”

Neal thanked his family, friends, staff and volunteers for their countless hours of support and service to build Champion Enterprises into an organization that’s served more than 250,000 youth since 1975. He gave praise to his grandfather, Robert Gore, and his parents, William and Dolores Neal. Also thanks went to football coach Andy Urbanic, whom Neal calls a surrogate father, for the strength, guidance and discipline instilled in him today.

LEGENDARY PHOTO—Connie Hawkins, Bill Neal, Kenny Durrett.

Neal also announced that the Pittsburgh Corvette Club, of which he is a member, will be presenting all of the players on the Penn Hills High School boys and girls basketball teams with a brand new pair of sneakers, free of charge. The shoes will be awarded to the students right before Christmas.

“More than anything,” Neal said, “I’ve never, ever forgotten where my roots are and where I’ve come from and the time I’ve spent in Penn Hills.”

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