Paul McNeil (Wrestling): 2005 Mayland Athletics Hall of Fame Inductee
Inductions will take place on September 30 as part of the Universitiy’s homecoming festivities.
College Park, Md. – This is the first of five segments profiling the incoming class of the 2005 University of Maryland Athletics Hall of Fame, which will be inducted on Friday September 30th, 2005 as part of the University’s homecoming festivities.
Inductee: Paul McNeil (Wrestling)
Born and raised in Kingston, PA, Paul McNeil was the dominant force on the Terps wrestling team in its infancy. Competing in the light-heavyweight division, McNeil never lost a match in his three years of eligibility between 1939-1941.
McNeil came to Maryland after a successful high school career that saw him win the Pennsylvania State Championship in his division, despite picking up wrestling only as a junior. He joined a Terp squad in 1939 that was competing only on the extramural level, but his contributions to that year’s successful team helped earn it varsity status the following season.
His perfect collegiate career continued in 1940 and culminated in 1941 when he captured the Southern Conference light-heavyweight title for his 41st consecutive victory. In all, he won 44 consecutive matches at the University of Maryland. The last of those came in the 1942 season, when he was ineligible to compete in the varsity schedule but was eligible to compete in and win another title at the District of Columbia A.A.U. tournament.
McNeil joins Joe Blair (SID 1950-1995), Tom Cosgrove, Jr. (Football 1952), Deanna Tate (Basketball 1989), Jessica Wilk (Field Hockey & Lacrosse 1990) and Walt Williams (Basketball 1992) as the class of 2005.
The new Hall of Fame members will be inducted at the 23rd Annual Induction Ceremony at the Marriott Inn & Conference Center on campus. This event will be black tie optional and is open to the public. Tickets are $75 each and may be reserved by calling the M Club’s Comcast Center office at 301-314-7020 or 301-314-5372.
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