University of Montevallo Athletics

A true friend to the University of Montevallo, Neal has been a source of great support for student-athletes and athletics. As a student at UM, he served as the first male president of the SGA and as a member of UM's first baseball team. After more than twenty years in the public sector, Shirley returned to the university as an instructor fund-raiser and contributor.

Neal is a member of the "Starting Nine," which is responsible for the lighting of Montevallo's Baseball Field. He is also sponsor of the "Neal Shirley Award" given annually to the outstanding male student-athlete at UM. He received the "Distinguished UM Alumnus" award in 1972, has served on the UM Board of Trustees, was President of the UM Alumni Association and is currently as a member of the UM Foundation Board of Directors.

Neal's dedication to UM and its athletic programs has greatly contributed to their outstanding success.