| COACH NEIL ABEL ~Neil is head coach of the golf program at Arkansas State University, but to the Manila Lions of the sixties, he was and is a role model for young people, as well as a beloved basketball coach. He was also one of the great teachers during that time, teaching Math&Algebra. ~If you walked the halls of Manila High School during the sixties you would have known this successful Junior Lions Coach as one of the leaders of the Lions' Pride !! ~Now in his 24th year at ASU as Head Golfing Coach, Neil has been instrumental in leading the ASU Golf club to an annual participation in the Central Regional Tournament with opportunities to play in the NCAA Championships. Coach Abel has also helped establish the ASU Lady Indian Classic and the ASU Golf Classic, two of the south regions best golf tournaments. ~Besides coaching basketball at Manila, he has coached at Monette and Childress. He has an outstanding record of 369~121 for the teams he has coached. Two of his teams went to the State Championships, one was the Manila Junior Lions team in 1965. Coach Abel has twice been named "Coach of the Year." ~He played baseball for ASU during the 1957 & 1958 seasons. Coach Abel is a Monette native and is married to the former Margaret Darr, also from Monette. They have one Daughter, Tammi. All the MHS cheerleaders and fans will remember Tammi as the cute little blonde cheerleading mascot for the Lions ! The cheerleaders all adopted Tammi as their little sister during those years. The Abel's have three grandchildren. ~Coach Abel has been a very successful athletic professional, but most of all , to the former students of Manila. he has been an example of true sportsmanship, unfailing determination, and team spirit !! ~The Manila High School Alumni are proud to honor Coach Neil Abel .He has served in different educational instituions and schools but we can truly say of him : ONCE A LION, ALWAYS A LION !! THANKS COACH FOR ALL THE WONDERFUL MEMORIES |
