Neville "Humbled" in Return to Bloomington

By: Sam Beishuizen | Twitter
IUHoosiers.com

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – David Neville tries to downplay his Olympic career when he can, but hiding Olympic Gold and Bronze medals is no easy task—especially considering the unconventional manner he won the latter.

Neville famously made the last-second decision to leave his feet and dive across the finish line in the men's 400 meter final in 2008's Beijing Games, jumping from fourth to third in the process. It's an image that ultimately put him on the podium and still tends to define his public perception today.

"It's always one of the main things that comes up," Neville said, laughing. "If they don't know who I am until I tell them, they usually immediately go, 'Oh yeah, you were that guy. The man who dove.' Or when people introduce me, they'll just go, 'He's the guy who dove.'
"It's a humbling thing for me."

Neville, now the head coach at Taylor University, stopped in Bloomington on Wednesday to speak to head coach Ron Helmer's track and field athletes at a team dinner in the Henke Hall of Champions.

Indiana associate head coach Ed Beathea, who coached Neville during his time at Indiana, keeps in close touch with Neville and invited him to speak to the team.

"I think it's always an honor and an opportunity to be able to be a part of what we're doing here at IU," Neville said. "If I can speak and say anything that might help any student athletes at a place like this in a time like this in their lives, I'm more than willing to do that."

Neville spoke to the team about the value of setting goals and holding oneself accountable. He told the athletes that everything they do is part of a longer series of events leading toward their purpose in life.

The Merrillville, Ind. native said he first set the goal of becoming an Olympic sprinter his senior year of high school right after winning the Indiana state 400-meter dash title at 46.99 seconds—a record that stands today.

At Indiana, Neville was a seven-time All-American and won four individual Big Ten titles. When he won his Bronze Medal in 2008, he became the first individual track and field medalist from Indiana University since Willie May won silver in the 110-meter hurdles in 1960.
He told the athletes to find what motivates them and embrace it. Neville's own motivation was to compete for his country in the Olympics. Six years after revealing his goal to a reporter as a high school senior, he was celebrating a gold medal in the 1,600 meter relay and his bronze in the 400-meter dash.

"Goal setting was a big part of my career in college and as a professional," Neville said. "I really think anything is obtainable if you're motivated, set your goals and follow through with them. That's what I tell my runners (at Taylor), and that's what I'll tell the guys here."

Neville's next goal in life is to lead Taylor's track program to success and help grow the next generation of young athletes.

He said he knew in college that he'd eventually end up coaching. After retiring from running professionally in March of 2014, he saw Taylor as a strong fit to return to his home state and continue being involved with track and field.

"Working with young adults has always been something I love doing," Neville said. "Just having the opportunity to invest back into the lives of other young people. People that may be in the same place that I was in at one point that have a desire to be a great athlete. I want to help develop them as athletes and help develop their character as young men and women."

Neville, also the Director of Chapel Music at Taylor, said he's just beginning to make the impact he wants at Taylor. He enjoys recruiting and is excited to begin his second full season of coaching.

But before getting the 2016 track season started, he managed one trip back to Indiana.

He toured the Hall of Fame, which didn't exist when he was competing for IU, and even stopped to see the Marching Hundred at practice. Neville himself played in the marching band for two years while completing his degree in music education.

Neville said he's always taken pride in his Indiana roots. He's from the Hoosier state, went to high school in Indiana and college at Indiana University. After his professional career took him away, he said he's excited to be back home again.
Even if it does mean he'll be recruiting against his alma mater.

"I really do take pride in my home," Neville said. "Just having the connection of being back here and always being a Hoosier is something I love and something I enjoy. I love being from this state and I love to have competed here and always enjoy coming back."

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