TULSA, Okla. – Spending more than 20 years associated with the Oral Roberts baseball team as a student-athlete and coach, Ryan Neill has been a fixture in the dugout at J.L. Johnson Stadium helping the program win 16 conference championships.
Neill was inducted into the ORU Hall of Fame in 2013 as one of the top hitters to ever wear the navy and gold. He was a third-team All-American in 1999 after hitting .423 with 17 home runs and 71 RBI and added the honor of Mid-Continent Conference Tournament MVP.
The Golden Eagles' all-time leader in home runs with 48 in four years, he helped lead ORU to three Mid-Con Championships and three NCAA Regional appearances. Neill also holds the school record for total bases in a single game registering an incredible 14 against TCU March 14, 1999.
He was a 22nd-round draft pick by the Detroit Tigers in 2000 and played more than 300 professional games. After his pro baseball career came to an end, Neill had the chance to return to the coaching staff of his alma mater. Since coming back to campus, he has continued to help push the ORU baseball program as assistant coach and recruiting coordinator guiding 21 all-conference infielders and 10 MLB draft picks over the last 17 years.
- Describe your favorite athletic memory during your time as a student-athlete at ORU. What made it special?
Man, I've had a ton of memories in my 20-plus years of being associated with ORU. I met my wife here, I met my best friends here and have had the privilege to coach and work with a lot of awesome people here at ORU. I really don't have just one memory that sticks out, but I will say it's been awesome to see this program grow and develop over the years. We have had a lot of good players and people come through this program.
- How was the transition from an athlete to a mentorship role on the coaching staff when you finished your professional playing career?
It was pretty easy for me. I was very fortunate to finish my playing career on my own terms. I found out I wasn't good enough to continue to play and I always wanted to be a coach when my playing career was over. Rob Walton gave me that opportunity when he became the head coach here and I will forever be grateful for that.
- Where were you when you heard the news that the NCAA Baseball season was being put on hold and what was your initial reaction?
We were actually about to start practice and we got the word that our first Summit League series with South Dakota State was canceled. We addressed the team before practice and by the end of practice the College World Series was canceled. That was a really tough moment. We had seniors that thought they might have played their last game. I think our entire team and coaches were very confused with what was going on initially. Little did we know, the whole county would be shut down a couple days later.
- What things have you been doing to keep your mind and spirit sharp during this time of social isolation with your family?
This time of isolation has had its ups and downs. I'm a busy body and it's very difficult for me to sit still so I've tried to keep myself busy with projects around the house. We still have team zoom calls weekly with our team. We are also staying in contact with our players to make sure they finish strong with their academic careers. Recruiting never stops even though we can't watch baseball at this moment. I think the biggest change about this whole isolation thing is how much family time we have had. With our profession, it requires us to be away from home a ton so it's been awesome to be with my wife and my girls during this time.
- What will be your biggest takeaway from this current situation that you hope can better yourself and those around you?
I think the biggest thing that I'll take away from this situation is never take for granted the time you get to spend with your loved ones. I will never take for granted the time I get to spend with my family once things go back to normal and I have to start traveling again. I also know our family has really missed not having the ability to see our parents, friends and family. Our girls really miss their grandparents right now!!
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