Chris Neal

UNCW Head Women’s Soccer Coach/Lucky hubby to Amy, happy daddy of Josi & Rex, UNCW alum. CAA Season CHAMPIONS 2025 🏆 , 2021 🏆, & 2020🏆

[Chris Neal @CNeal3]

So much fun! So talented. So tough. Absolutely ❤️ this team! #TidalTown #HawkYeah

[UNCW Women's Soccer @UNCWSoccer]

THE CHAMPS 🏆

UNCW wins the CAA South Division and clinches its spot in the CAA Tournament.

#SeahawkSoccer

[Chris Neal @CNeal3]

@AMDowds By saying I worked multiple part-time jobs, as a young professional to make ends meet, was simply a fact. I’m not sure what point you think I proved. Interesting that, although knowing nothing truly about me nor my story, I was labeled as privileged.

[Chris Neal @CNeal3]

Many coaches have had a similar path to yours, and mine. I don’t know anyone that truly “wants” others to have to do that. There’s competition in everything we do in life. It’s the foundation and nature of sports. You may have to sit the bench, or join a team without scholarship, to get your chance to “earn it”. This is also a natural process that weeds out people, in every industry of life, that don’t have the true desire, work ethic, or ability. It’s the basic motivation for internships at all levels. I think the argument should truly be, “what are athletic departments doing with their available resources?” I feel that often coaches see athletic department resources going to certain areas and we struggle to understand why those resources aren’t going to support good employees that are vital and deserving.

[Chris Neal @CNeal3]

I don’t think it’s a “I had to suffer so the next generation should too” issue nor mindset. In every industry, there just is not enough $$ nor jobs to go around for everybody that wants one. If you want to “get in”, you may have to make a short-term decisions. You may have to work multiple jobs to maintain your desired lifestyle. I did it. At that time, I didn’t feel like I was suffering at all because I was chasing a dream and I was young. If I didn’t want to make that choice, I was free to go pursue other higher paying opportunities. It’s just the way the world works.

[Chris Neal @CNeal3]

@ImCollegeSoccer Being immersed in the day to day, I can honestly say that our student-athletes are well supported and looked after….ad best possible with the resources provided. Much of it is still about them. I can’t speak for high $$ rev share sports.

[Chris Neal @CNeal3]

Don’t forget the coaches that actually listen to what the players want. D1 women’s players were surveyed. The results were overwhelmingly opposed to a two-semester model. It’s about the student athletes, right????

[College Soccer Truth ™ @ImCollegeSoccer]

The only college coaches that oppose this are the ones that….

• Don’t want their weekends tied up through practices or games all year

• Realize it will be more work but the same poor salary

• Don’t have the facilities to play year round

• Don’t have the recruiting budgets to go recruit throughout the year while in games

They are simply okay with a really heavy fall season and a more laid back spring season.

#CSTruth

[Chris Neal @CNeal3]

@ckstevenson @CoachWaldrum It does not. D1 women’s soccer voted to extend our season (beginning Fall 2026) on the front end and on the tail end, addressing student-athlete well-being concerns while also listening to the wants and needs of the women’s soccer players.

[Chris Neal @CNeal3]

@ImCollegeSoccer I highly doubt it

[Chris Neal @CNeal3]

Couldn’t agree more, Marsha.

Never mind the fact that most mid-major athletic departments are already understaffed or maxed out from a staffing and facilities standpoint. What are our grounds crews, OPs, game day, and media staff going to do when we’re hosting men’s soccer, softball, baseball, beach volleyball, and basketball, all on the same day.

Never mind the fact that many northern mid-major athletic departments share indoor playing facilities, in the winter time, with other traditional winter and spring sports.

Never mind attendance when men’s soccer is now fighting basketball for community support, outdoors in February and March.

Which coach on our staff of 2 full-time coaches is going to leave the team in season, in the spring, to go recruit???

And on and on……..

[Chris Neal @CNeal3]

@ImYouthSoccer Not that surprising if there was a coaching change

[Chris Neal @CNeal3]

@carolinaascent @FoodLion Audrey clinical on that attack to set the goal up!

[Chris Neal @CNeal3]

@R_Nwanguma93 It’s already being done in basketball and football and has been happening for decades. The other non-Power 4 sports and student-athletes deserve a meaningful national tournament at the end of the year as well.

[Chris Neal @CNeal3]

@golz_tv It’s a simple game made complicated by the coaching license money grab

[Chris Neal @CNeal3]

Fantastic hire ! Congrats @okeefej9 !

[UNCG Men's Soccer @UNCGsoccer]

O’Keefe Named Associate Head Coach for Men’s Soccer https://t.co/un7dLB7ysd

[Chris Neal @CNeal3]

@CoachChrisRich @okeefej9 Very BIG TIME addition! Congrats to you and @okeefej9 !

[Chris Neal @CNeal3]

Welcome to the Hawk’s Nest, Caigan! #HawkYeah

[UNCW Women's Soccer @UNCWSoccer]

welcome to the nest, Caigan Leonard 🦅

#SeahawkSoccer

[Chris Neal @CNeal3]

I don’t disagree with the Sleeping Giant opinion. Unfortunately, I don’t think we will ever see a 10 month/year-round model happening unless it happens solely at the most elite and well-funded 20-30 programs. The vast majority of athletic departments can’t fund year-round support staff, facilities (shared with other sports), and team expenses. Then there are the weather considerations, up north, that complicate things. I don’t see US Soccer footing that bill either.

[Michael Oblinger @MichaelOblinger]

That was fun!