Binghamton University Athletics

A native of Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania., Roger Neel has broadcast and promoted Binghamton athletics for four decades. His widespread contributions to the University and athletics department are unparalleled. 

Neel has strong roots in sports, having earned three letters in both football and baseball at Westminster College. He started on the offensive line for the school's undefeated national championship team in 1970 and earned All-District honors in 1971. 

He came to Binghamton from Western Pennsylvania in 1978 and began a 42-year career at WNBF Newsradio 1290 — one that cemented his name and voice as one of the most recognizable and admired in the Southern Tier. Neel began his close association with Binghamton athletics in the mid-1990s. He served as basketball play-by-play announcer for numerous games on Time Warner Cable and Empire Sports Network as Binghamton basketball gained a strong following. 

When BU elevated to NCAA Division II status in 1998, Neel was at the forefront with every home and away basketball broadcast. His role expanded to master of ceremonies for the annual Awards Banquet and Hall of Fame events and he also hosted a weekly basketball coaches' show for 15 years. 

As program director and morning show host at WNBF, Neel interviewed and promoted hundreds upon hundreds of BU student-athletes, coaches and administrators, telling their stories with his uplifting and comprehensive coverage.

Neel brought the historic call back to the Southern Tier when the women's basketball team played in the NCAA Division II tournament and 11 years later, when the men's team faced Duke in the NCAA Division I tournament. In all, he has called more than 700 BU games spanning the sports of basketball, baseball and softball across multiple platforms (radio, television, ESPN streaming networks) and from locales ranging from Maine to Florida to Alaska to Mexico.      

He is now a member of four halls of fame: Binghamton Hockey, Southern Tier Broadcasters, Slippery Rock High School and now the BU Athletics Hall of Fame.