Friends and colleagues have established the Neal R. Sweeney Memorial Scholarship Endowment Fund at The University of Tulsa to benefit student-athletes.
Sweeney died nearly a year ago today, on Sept,. 5, after being brutally shot a day earlier.
Sweeney was a receiver on the Tulsa football team in 1965-66. In two seasons, he totaled 134 receptions for 1,623 yards and 11 touchdowns. Sweeney was the nation’s third-ranked receiver as a junior when he caught 78 passes for 883 yards and eight touchdowns for the leading offensive unit in the country.
He was a first-team all-Missouri Valley Conference and Honorable Mention All-America performer in 1965. Following a stint with the NFL’s Denver Broncos, Sweeney had a successful business career in the Tulsa area. Sweeney was elected to The University of Tulsa’s Athletic Hall of Fame in 1995.
During his lifetime, Sweeney served on Tulsa’s Golden Hurricane Club Board of Directors and was an active member of the Lettermen’s Association.
“Neal Sweeney was a great ambassador and friend of TU. This scholarship provided by his colleagues will memorialize Neal’s name in Tulsa history and provide opportunities for future students to participate in intercollegiate athletics and receive a tremendous education,” said Tulsa’s Director of Athletics Bubba Cunningham.
Bob Phillips, Jr., and other colleagues and friends of Sweeney have chosen to honor his memory and legacy by creating a permanent source of support for student-athletes, or English majors at The University of Tulsa. Phillips has agreed to match dollar for dollar up to $25,000 contributions made to the memorial.
Income from the endowed fund will be used to provide scholarships to full-time students who meet the selection criteria established for the Scholarship Program. The recipient of this scholarship will be selected by a committee appointed by University President Steadman Upham. First preference for the scholarship will be given to student-athletes, and second preference given to English majors, Sweeney’s major while attending TU.
Contributions may be sent to: Office of Institutional Advancement, The University of Tulsa, 800 South Tucker Drive, Tulsa, OK 74104-9700. Checks made payable to The University of Tulsa. Please include in the memo line of your check that your gift should be designated towards the Neal R. Sweeney Memorial Scholarship Endowment Fund.