Neal Powless Officially Enshrined in the American Native Athletics Hall of Excellence
Neal Powless, an Onondaga Nation Eel Clan member and the University's ombuds, lives and breathes lacrosse, thanks to his legendary lacrosse-playing family. Although he was just a toddler when he first picked up a lacrosse stick, he swiftly progressed to competing in his first game at the tender age of 4. Much like his uniform and protective gear, which were too large for him at the time, Neal didn't let anything hold him back.
His incredible journey in the world of lacrosse took him all the way to Nazareth College in Rochester, where he shone as a three-time All American. As if that wasn't enough, he spent years playing professionally and even had the honor of being a part of the Rochester Knighthawks of the Major Indoor Lacrosse League when they bagged their first title in 1997. These days, you can find him coaching the Netherlands National Box Lacrosse Team and playing the sport for Oneida in the North American Box Lacrosse League - proving that age is only a number.
To officially recognize his dedication and immense contributions to the game, Neal was inducted into the American Indian Athletic Hall of Fame, which is nestled within the prestigious First Americans Museum in Oklahoma City. He joined a select group of four athletes inducted this year and one of five from the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, demonstrating his significant impact on the lacrosse community.
The museum created an exhibition showcasing items from each of the inductees, including Neal's unique Nike cleats created for the Haudenosaunee Nationals, his Buffalo Bandits stick, and several championship rings. The museum is even planning to extend the exhibition into the digital space.
While Neal has been inducted into several Halls of Fame, this accolade feels different. Many of the inductees are from major sports leagues, such as the National Basketball Association and National Football League. In an interview, he shared his feelings on the matter by acknowledging the significance of being in the First Americans Museum, the nation's premier Indigenous museum.
Throughout his career, Neal has managed to balance his passion for lacrosse with his career at Syracuse University. As the University's ombuds since 2019, he serves as a confidential, neutral, and independent resource for faculty, staff, and graduate students. Prior to this, he worked as a counselor with the Center for Career Services and assistant director of the Native Student Program in the Office of Multicultural Affairs. He is also a Ph.D. candidate in the Newhouse School, focusing on Indigenous imagery in contemporary film.
Alongside his wife, Michelle Schenandoah, Neal founded Indigenous Concepts Consulting, servicing Indigenous communities and integrating an Indigenous perspective into mainstream business and media paradigms.
In terms of life lessons, lacrosse continues to be a driving force, with the longevity gene for the game extending throughout his family. From grandfathers playing competitively into their 60s, brothers into their 50s, to a father lasting until 40 (with Neal playing on till 41), the love of the game remains a family tradition.
"This honor isn't about the numbers and stats, but more about what the game means to me and the role it has played in my life," he shared.
Through lacrosse, he's learned essential lessons that he applies in other areas of his life, including coaching and his career. One of his core rules is to show up, give your best effort, be open to learning, and have fun. A perfect attitude for any endeavor!
The success Neal has encountered and the lessons he imparts in his work have roots in the losses he's faced and the mistakes he's made. "What's not in the record books or written down on paper are all the losses that teach a person how to be successful," he said.
Reflecting on his formative years, it's clear that Neal faced challenges, as he was smaller than his peers on the field. He also developed a deep understanding of respect and peace, even towards those he'd compete against on the field, an understanding that's become a cornerstone of his work as the University's ombuds.
"Regardless of who you are, where you come from, or what you've experienced, I will offer you my respect, listen to your challenges, and welcome you with open arms," Neal said.
Footnotes:[1] Enrichment data indicates that Neal's induction took place in the American Indian Athletic Hall of Fame but not explicitly into the First Americans Museum Hall of Fame (According to the enrichment data, Neal's induction took place at the American Indian Athletic Hall of Fame, but the article focuses on his induction into the First Americans Museum Hall of Fame.)[2] Neal's impact on Native American communities and the influence he had on younger generations is implied in the text but not explicitly stated.[3] The cultural and spiritual significance of lacrosse to Native American communities, the sport's connection to Neal's family tree, and the incorporation of Indigenous imagery in film are all themes explored in the enrichment data but not explicitly mentioned in the article.
- Although Neal Powless is primarily associated with lacrosse, his induction into the American Indian Athletic Hall of Fame, located within the First Americans Museum, puts him in the company of athletes from major sports leagues like the National Basketball Association and National Football League, demonstrating his significant impact in a broader sports context.
- Neal Powless' dedication to lacrosse extends beyond the field, as he also applies the lessons he learned from the game, such as showing up, giving your best effort, being open to learning, and having fun, in his work as the ombuds at Syracuse University and in his collaborations with Indigenous communities through Indigenous Concepts Consulting.
