Tommy McNeal

TIFFANY ON MCNEAL
2025 – “By day Tommy pursues an idyllic UVA student-life, living on the Lawn while studying medicine as he prepares to become a doctor. But you don’t find this academically engaging man between the white lines: Tommy is a tenacious competitor who hunts ground balls and brings an edge to our defense. Never content to simply secure the loose ball and share it with our attack unit, Tommy patrols our offensive end with both a knack for finding openings and a quick trigger finger.” 2024 – “Tommy is clearly developing into the LSM we all envisioned when we recruited him. The poise Tommy exhibits with finding and securing a loose ball in traffic, whether as a part of the faceoff wing or in our half-field defensive sets, is astonishing. He possesses playmaker characteristics, attacking while he is in possession of the ball and with how he aggressively slides to the opposition’s unsuspecting ball carriers. Another strength of Tommy’s is he understands the art of playing two offensive players at the same time, making him an ideal member of our Man Down.” 2023 – “Tommy is making that robust leap forward from first to second year that every coach yearns to see in their athletes.  His stick handling has always been a strong suit of his, and it is only getting better.  Where Tommy is making the most significant difference is with his decision-making and comprehension of our slide packages.  He is now comfortable within our systems and beginning to become louder, an attribute that he will continue to improve upon.  Tommy is ready and poised to contribute this season as an LSM and on our Man Down.” 2022 – “Finding his way on the field as an LSM… After a slow start to the Fall semester, Tommy is digesting the terminology and playing up to the speed of the college game… Possesses crafty and smooth stickwork, with the rare ability to do such with both hands as a defenseman… Glides in the middle of the field… Compassionate, considerate man.”

2024

• Appeared in all 18 games at LSM
• Scored his first career goal in UVA’s win over Harvard (March 30)
• Tallied one assist against Robert Morris (March 5)
• Collected 24 ground balls and caused eight turnovers during the season
• ACC Academic Honor Roll

2023

• Appeared in all possible 17 games as an LSM
• Collected 21 ground balls and registered three caused turnovers
• Recorded a career-high six ground balls against Richmond (March 4)
• Made his collegiate debut in UVA’s season opener against Michigan (Feb. 13)
• All-ACC Academic Team
• ACC Academic Honor Roll

2022

• Redshirted; did not appear in any of UVA’s 16 games

HIGH SCHOOL

• No. 40 overall prospect and No. 3 long stick midfielder in the nation, according to Inside Lacrosse
• No. 12 overall prospect, according to National Lacrosse Federation (NLF)
• Four-year varsity letter winner
• Named team captain senior year
• Junior and senior seasons canceled due to COVID-19
• All-Lakes Region selection in football

PERSONAL

• Son of Scott and Sara McNeal
• Has two sisters, Isabel and Charlotte (twin)
• Majoring in Kinesiology
• Enjoys longboarding, the beach and photography