O'Neal to be inducted into Hall

Staff Report

Reeltown head football coach Jackie O'Neal will be among 12 to be inducted into the 2012 class of the Alabama High School Sports Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame is located at the Alabama High School Athletic Association (AHSAA) office in Montgomery.

O'Neal, a 1973 graduate of Reeltown, returned to his alma mater  in 1977 after his college career at Livingston State College. He served on the coaching staff of Hall of Fame coach Duane Webster before moving up to head football coach upon Webster’s retirement after the 1987 state football championship season. Since then, he has led Reeltown to 210 wins, 92 losses and a playoff record of 46-19 with state championships in 2001 (1A), 2009 (2A) and runner-up finishes in 1991, 1992, 2000 and 2010. His teams have won 13 region titles.

O’Neal was named the Alabama Sports Writers Association Coach of the Year in 1991, 1992 and 2001 and was chosen the Alabama Football Coaches Association Coach of the Year in 2008. O’Neal also coached boys basketball for seven years, baseball for three years and girls basketball for 25 years. His girls teams reached the State Tournament in 1991, 1992, 2007 an d 2008, the last two teams finishing as Class 2A runner-up. He coached as an assistant in the Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Football Game in 1992 and 2002 and as head coach in 2007. He also coached in the North-South All-Star Football Game in 2008 and the North-South Girls All-Star Basketball Game in 2007. He has served on the AHSAA Central Board of Control and Legislative Council.

The induction banquet will be on March 19 at the Renaissance Hotel at the Convention Center in Montgomery. To order tickets ($35 each), mail requests along with check or money order (payable to AHSADCA) to: Alabama High School Athletic Directors & Coaches Association, P. O. Box 242367, Montgomery, AL 36124. Additional information is available at 334-263-6994.

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