University of New Haven Athletics

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The first-ever two-year captain for New Haven football, Shane McNeeley suited up at linebacker on four of the most successful teams in program history. McNeeley, who recorded 13 sacks, four interceptions and five forced fumbles in addition to over 300 tackles for the Blue and Gold, anchored the Chargers’ defense and served as team captain on the squad’s run to the 1997 National Championship Game. He was a two-time All-New England honoree and a 1997 First Team All-Northeast Region selection.
 
As a freshman in 1994, McNeeley was an immediate contributor for the defense with 53 tackles, three forced fumbles and an interception. He began his career with seven tackles against Bloomsburg and added a 10-stop performance against Valdosta State. The Chargers went 7-3 that fall, which was the first season for Head Coach Tony Sparano, with McNeeley and the defense limiting five opponents to seven points or fewer.
 
The Blue and Gold continued their rise to national prominence in 1995, posting an unbeaten regular season and an NCAA postseason victory en route to a 10-1-1 final record. McNeeley registered 83 tackles for the defense, sparked by 16 stops and an interception in a win at Indiana (Pa.). He also made three sacks and forced three fumbles for the Chargers, who held their 12 opponents to an average of 10.8 points per game and posted a pair of shutouts.
 
Recognized by his coaches and teammates as one of the top defensive players at New Haven, McNeeley was selected as one of the Chargers’ three captains in 1996. The junior linebacker rose to the occasion with 108 tackles – one of the top totals in New Haven single-season history – and 2.5 sacks en route to All-New England honors. He also scored the first touchdown of his career, blocking a punt and recovering it in the endzone in a 48-0 blanking of Elizabeth City. Another stalwart showing by the Charger defense produced two shutouts and six total games ceding 14 points or fewer.
 
McNeeley remained as a team captain for a season that remains the most successful in the history of New Haven football. The Chargers went 12-2 in 1997 and reached the NCAA Division II National Championship Game behind a ranking that climbed as high as No. 2 in the nation. Defensively, McNeeley helmed a group that allowed only 14.3 points per game with three shutout performances and nine games surrendering 14 points or fewer. McNeeley made 72 tackles with six sacks and an interception during the regular season, then racked up 32 more stops with 1.5 sacks in New Haven’s four-game NCAA playoff run. He was an All-New England and First Team All-Northeast Region selection in his season campaign.
 
In four seasons on the gridiron at New Haven, McNeeley helped guide the Chargers to a record of 36-9-1 that stands as one of the best four-year spans in program history.