Joe McNeil

[nickgyp]

Saw this in today's Cincinnati Enquirer. No mention of his playing basketball at Xavier. But the picture in the obit highly resembles the scrappy Xavier guard who played in the early sixties on the teams that included Steve Thomas, Bob Pelkington Joe Geiger and Bill Kirvin. McNeil lost sight in one eye due to a basketball practice injury. Just remember him as part of some Xavier squads that scored a heck of a lot of points without a three point line. Of course, they gave up quite a few as well but they were always fun to watch.

Joe "Mac" McNeil

photo
Joe "Mac" McNeil

Cincinnati - beloved husband of Janie, loving father of Kelly (Jay) Brielmaier, Daniel (Amy) McNeil, Megan (Peter) Mellor, Mollie (Jeff) Knowles and Kevin (Carrie) McNeil, grandfather of Mac, Ellie, Austin, Logan, Patrick, Charlotte, Henry, Margaret, Alexis, Owen and Ian, brother of Mike, Ginnie, Mary Jo and the late Duff, Dick, Tom and Peggy. Also survived by numerous Nieces and Nephews. Joe was a longtime coach, teacher and mentor to many players and students. Passed away on Saturday June 5, 2021 at age 79. Memorial Visitation Friday, June 11, 2021 from 3-6 PM at Hodapp Funeral Home, 6041 Hamilton Ave., College Hill 45224. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Mathew 25 Ministries, the Salvation Army or H.A.R.T. (Homeless Animal Rescue Team at rescuehart.org) Condolences at hodappfuneralhome.com

[gym from delhi]

Still my favorite ever X team: C Pelkington, F's Williams and Geiger, G's McNeil and Thomas. Three memorable games: 1) Thomas' record 50 vs Detroit in a 120-112 win; 2) A valiant effort in a 90-88 loss to # 6 Villanova led by Jim Washington and Wally Jones, and a nail-biting loss to UC at the Gardens highlighted by a phantom traveling call on Thomas. If they had only played a little defense...

[SC in DC]

Don’t forget Cooper. Think he played a lot for Williams, who didn’t stay in “top physical shape “ . But yea, loved that team. D was nowhere to be found tho!

[gym from delhi]

Still my favorite ever X team: C Pelkington, F's Williams and Geiger, G's McNeil and Thomas. Three memorable games: 1) Thomas' record 50 vs Detroit in a 120-112 win; 2) A valiant effort in a 90-88 loss to # 6 Villanova led by Jim Washington and Wally Jones, and a nail-biting loss to UC at the Gardens highlighted by a phantom traveling call on Thomas. If they had only played a little defense...

[gym from delhi]

Ah Bryan Williams, guitar and all, sweet shooting left hander, still got drafted by the NBA (10 rounds back then)

[nickgyp]

Over on Xavier Hoops, there is a poster link to an edition of the Xavier Newswire from 1964 which references Thomas' 50 pt. game. Interesting read.

[Lead Guitar]

Played a great deal like Loyola Marymount 20 years later. Ruberg had the 3 digit scoreboard installed. If I recall, the same night Thomas scored 50, a freshman (they played before the varsity) scored 48 or 50. Fun games to watch.

[gym from delhi]

Sometime around then X had a kid from West Virginia named Roy Thompson, expected to be one of the all-time greats, who left after one year. One downside of growing up a Muskie fan was seeing who would be the annual second semester academically ineligible player. I recall my Dad mourning the loss of Corny Freeman.

[nickgyp]

While on memory lane at Schmidt Fieldhouse, those days included contact with an elderly man that we affectionately called "Dave the Coke Man".
Year after year, he would hawk cokes from a tray that he carried. He was as much of the game experience at Schmidt as the trailer concession stand.

He always had a kind but aged face that was wrinkled from the years. Perhaps, but just perhaps, when Bob Pelkington recently passed Dave greeted him with a coke at the Pearly Gates.

[Jesseandrippers]

Sometime around then X had a kid from West Virginia named Roy Thompson, expected to be one of the all-time greats, who left after one year. One downside of growing up a Muskie fan was seeing who would be the annual second semester academically ineligible player. I recall my Dad mourning the loss of Corny Freeman.

Corny Freeman ended up becoming a star on the Cleveland Pipers of the ABL. A team and league started by George Steinbrenner. That team also recruited Jerry Lucas at one point before folding.