| Title: | Assistant Coach |
| Email: | Ben.Neal@kzoo.edu |
Ben Neal joined the Kalamazoo College coaching staff in September 2021.
Coach Neal came to Kalamazoo College with 24 years of experience at various levels. Prior to joining the Hornets, Neal served as the head boys basketball coach at Portage Northern High School. During his tenure at Portage Northern, Coach Neal accumulated the most basketball wins in school history, led his team to multiple district finals, and helped numerous players go on to play at the collegiate ranks.
“To be a part of Kalamazoo College’s basketball program is truly an honor, and I am humbled to join one of America’s finest educational institutions,” Neal said. “K has been in my backyard for my whole life, and now that I am officially a member of the Hornet Family, I couldn’t be more excited. Thank you to all who helped make this dream come true. Go Hornets!”
Coach Neal played both basketball and baseball at Lake Michigan College until a knee injury ended his playing career in 1988. He earned a criminal psychology degree from Eastern Michigan University in 1991 and a secondary English teaching degree from Western Michigan University in 1995. He is currently a high school teacher at Portage Northern where he is a co-department chair and an International Baccalaureate instructor in the English department.
Coach Giard added: “We are very fortunate to have Coach Neal join our program this season. Coach Neal’s experience, love for the game, and contagious energy will make a positive impact on our team right away.”
Coach Neal resides in the Kalamazoo area with his wife Jenny, daughter Bailey, son Trey, and step-sons Zachary, Lucas, and Camden. Besides being in the gym, he enjoys walking his dogs, Bella and Oakley, and reading great literature and anything related to basketball.