There’s a new athletic director (AD) at Camden High School — Brett McNeal – and he’s a familiar face to us in North Minneapolis. He grew up on the Northside across from North Commons and attended North High School. McNeal was part of those powerhouse basketball teams who frequented Minnesota State Tournaments in the ‘80s and was honored to be selected as Mr. Basketball 1985 for the state of Minnesota.
Brett’s parents moved to Minnesota from Louisiana. His mother and father were athletes, as well as his brother. He comes to Camden High as a Certified Master Athletic Administrator. A graduate of Western Kentucky University, he was coached there by Clem Haskins and DeWayne Casey. Trent Tucker introduced him to the career of being an AD. He has had a variety of employment and educational experiences prior to being an athletic director, including serving as an AD at Edison High School and District Assistant Director of Athletics for Minneapolis Public Schools.
Mentors for Brett throughout his life are numerous but especially include his parents and his grandfather who he says kept him grounded. Serious educators at North High School, such as Ms. Halcomb, were significant in his life. Robin Ingram, former North High basketball coach, played an important part in his becoming who is today, as well as Casey and Haskins at Western Kentucky, and Peter Hayden of Turning Point. He credits his family, Spike Moss, Gary Sudduth and Mona Moede for teaching him how to advocate.
Brett is a proud husband and the father of five successful children. He is a member of the African American Association of AD’s and serves as a mentor for incoming AD’s for the organization National Organization of Minority Athletic Directors.
Brett McNeal’s legacy is one defined by inspiration, empowerment and transformation.