A four-year letter winner for the Pirate baseball program, Bryan Neal was one of the best players ever coached by Southwestern legendary Coach Jim Mallon. Out of a possible 206 games during his career, Bryan played in 201 of those games and did not miss a game after his freshman year. Three years in a row he was named to the NAIA Big State All-Conference team, the NAIA All-District team, and the NAIA All-Region team. His senior year was highlighted by hitting a three-run homer against St. Edward's University to lead the Pirates to a tie with St. Mary's University for the Big State Conference Championship. Already a powerful hitter by his junior year, Bryan helped the baseball team pull off a historic 5-4 win over the University of Texas, along with victories over Texas Tech University and Baylor University that season. With a collegiate career batting average of .365, Bryan was drafted by the Atlanta Braves in 1982. In recognition of his special achievements, Bryan's Number 21 was the first number and jersey ever retired by the Southwestern baseball program. In 1982, he earned his Bachelor of Business Administration with a concentration in General Business.