Hall of Fame
Neal Mechling was an All-WVIAC selection in football and baseball at West Liberty, helping lead the Hilltoppers to a total of four conference championships from 1967-71. Mechling came to the hilltop as a highly-touted baseball recruit and didn't disappoint. He was a four-year starting outfielder and a team captain for the Hilltoppers' diamond dandies, playing on back-to-back conference championship teams (1968-69) and capping his baseball career with an All-WVIAC berth in 1971.
Mechling didn't join the West Liberty football program until his junior year but quickly emerged as a star on back-to-back undefeated conference championship squads. He led the nationally-ranked WLSC defense in interceptions from his defensive back spot and was a true impact performer on special teams as a return specialist, leading the WVIAC in punt returns as a junior and senior. His 457 punt return yards in 1971 were a school record and his game-winning 82-yard punt return TD against Fairmont State in the 1971 WVIAC Championship Game may never be forgotten. Mechling was a first-team All-WVIAC pick and an honorable mention NAIA All-American.
After graduating from West Liberty, Mechling enjoyed a lengthy career in education as a teacher and administrator.
