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SJRCC Press Release
November 2009
Glory Days
Former SJRCC athlete shares past and present
 Reminiscing through the pages of a 1965 Viking yearbook, former student-athlete and local businessman Neal Chancey recently spent an afternoon reliving the "good 'ole days," remembering fellow class and teammates as vividly as though it were yesterday. While 43 years have passed since his glory days in the Tuten Gymnasium, Chancey's office walls display the photos of the infamous Mid-Florida Conference championship team along with his degree from St. Johns River Community College.
Chancey, who played forward for the Viking basketball team from 1964 - 66, is what current Head Basketball Coach Buster Harvey calls a true Viking. "To this day he remains dedicated toward the first college that was a positive factor in his college career," Harvey said.
During the 1960s, a majority of SJRCC's enrollment was derived from Jacksonville students, and Chancey was one of them. The 23-year-old returned from active duty with the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve and was offered a scholarship from SJRCC's first coach, Bill Tuten.
Chancey recently became the first lifetime member of the SJRCC President's Circle and has begun what College officials anticipate as a new tradition in expanding the College's scholarship opportunities. Chancey said his goal as a member is for fellow student-athletes to experience the same success he did, recalling on how being part of the 1966 championship team was a turning point in his life. "I want to give back to the community," Chancey said. "I want to give other student-athletes the opportunity to experience the same success I was blessed with."
"I can look back to the days when St. Johns was instrumental in whatever success I had," Chancey said. "I want to share that success and be able to give back and influence others in some way. If someone can benefit the way I did, it will then be worthwhile."
On being a student and an athlete, Chancey said the two cannot be separated. "We were held to high academic standards while developing a strong sense of comradeship. The value of athletics teaches the value of hard work, perseverance and team work," he said.
"While academics are important, athletics teaches how to apply things in real life. It teaches you how to accept defeat, but to never live in defeat. Defeat is not final. One should learn from it and move forward. It seems to be a paradox, but success can never be achieved without failure somewhere along the way. Intercollegiate athletics teaches this truth so well," Chancey said.
Chancey said his fond memories of the College include the personal relationships that were created. "Some of my most meaningful relationships began at St. Johns and continue today. Friends and mentors such as Coach Bill Tuten and community leaders Mayor Punk Walker and the late Reverend John Pelham of First Baptist Church were influential to me," Chancey said. "These men gave of themselves to make our community a better place to live. My hope is to follow their legacy."
Attending SJRCC gave Chancey the confidence to continue his education. Playing for the Vikings ultimately earned him a scholarship to play for LaGrange College in Georgia. He later earned his master's degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill while teaching as a graduate assistant.
 Chancey personally designated his contribution to the President's Circle to benefit the College's basketball program - one of the incentives of the new program which gives donors the ability to play an active role in where their money is spent.
SJRCC President Joe Pickens said Chancey's dedication to the College and the SJRCC Athletic Association extends beyond his newfound membership. "While his monetary contribution will definitely have an impact on many students and their college careers, Neal's personal commitment to the College and its student-athletes is an even greater contribution," Pickens said.
Harvey said "Coach Chancey is very special person. His donation will help make a positive influence to our present and future student athletes."
SJRCC has four athletic programs based on the Palatka Campus and consists of men's basketball, men's baseball, women's fastpitch softball and women's volleyball.
PHOTO:
Chancey.Pres.Circle2.jpg: SJRCC President Joe Pickens welcomes alumnus Neal Chancey as the first lifetime member of the President's Circle. Chancey (center) stands beside Head Basketball Coach Buster Harvey in the Tuten Gymnasium where he played during the 1964 – 66 seasons.
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MEDIA CONTACT:
Susan Kessler
SJRCC Director of Public Relations and Publications
5001 St. Johns Avenue
Palatka, FL 32177
(386) 312-4020
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