WEST LONG BRANCH, NJ- Monmouth University announced the renaming of its basketball arena to Dr. Marilyn A. McNeil Arena after the recently retired Vice President and Director of Athletics who spent 28 years at the University.
 
In recognition of Dr. McNeil's longstanding service to the University and her profound impact on countless student-athletes, the Monmouth University Board of Trustees dedicates the arena in her honor. The naming was also supported by a generous commitment from Bob and Myrna Raskin '87M, '95M to ensure significant enhancements to the facility.


"I am delighted that Dr. Marilyn A. McNeil's name and legacy will live on in our newly named arena within the OceanFirst Bank Center," said Monmouth President Dr. Patrick F. Leahy. "How fitting that Dr. McNeil's passion for sports, her commitment to excellence and equity, and her lasting influence on Monmouth University will be celebrated forever more in the Dr. Marilyn A. McNeil Arena. I'd like to thank our Board of Trustees for its support of this initiative."
  
In 1994, Monmouth University welcomed Dr. Marilyn McNeil as the Director of Athletics. Over her 28-year tenure here, Dr. McNeil has elevated Monmouth's Division I athletics program into one of the premier mid-major programs in the country. She has helped lead the Hawks to 119 regular season conference championships and 38 team appearances in various NCAA tournaments, while at once setting program records for team grade point averages and graduation success rates among our student-athletes. In addition to these laudable efforts in fostering a positive and winning student-athlete experience, Dr. McNeil has also demonstrated a notable commitment to gender equity and Title IX compliance in athletics—both at Monmouth and throughout the nation.
 
Dr. McNeil's commitment to the university has stretched far beyond the classroom, the men's and women's courts and playing fields and well into the community. Not only has Dr. McNeil's tenacity and dedication inspired student-athletes, parents, faculty and staff, but her commitment to Monmouth has turned fans into friends, and friends into devoted members of the Hawk family. 
 
"I'm overwhelmed and humbled. If nothing else I hope that I've instilled the values that I hold as a competitor and an administrator with the athletes that will play in this arena. I love athletics, I love talking to the coaches, I love talking to the players. It's a lifelong learning situation and that's what important to me. The wins and losses are almost immaterial. It is about, did everyone have a great experience here. Are their teammates someone they want to remember for a long time. Will they call up their coaches and say thanks? I get a few calls from athletes that I coached and that means the world to me. I'm hoping that happens here for a long, long time."
 
The arena was dedicated with a ribbon cutting ceremony prior to the Tuesday night's men's basketball home-opener against Lehigh, which the Hawks won 85-75.