EUGENE, Ore. – Dr. Heike McNeil has been a cornerstone of Bushnell University for more than 20 years, shaping the institution’s growth and the lives of countless students. Having arrived in 2003, she quickly became a key figure on campus as both a professor and a coach. With a passion for both academics and athletics, she helped build the exercise science major and served as the inaugural coach of the cross country and track and field programs. Under her leadership, Bushnell’s distance running program rose to national prominence, with teams consistently ranked in the top 25 of the NAIA.
Dr. McNeil’s distinguished career as a coach at Bushnell spanned over 15 years, culminating in her retirement as the longest-serving head coach of any sport in the university’s history. She has also served as the Faculty Athletic Representative since 2019, helping shape the athletic and academic successes of countless student athletes. Yet these remarkable achievements almost never happened, as her journey to teaching and coaching at Bushnell required God’s guiding hand and her willingness to follow.
The Path that God Set
Dr. McNeil’s story begins just after completing her Ph.D. in chemistry at the University of Oregon in 2000, when she was preparing for a career in industry. However, an unexpected opportunity led her to teaching.
“A faculty member at Willamette University in Salem saw me present my research at a conference in Baltimore and approached me about teaching at Willamette as a one-year sabbatical replacement. I had already committed to a mission trip to Australia with Athletes in Action, but Willamette was persistent, covering me during my trip, and I started teaching there upon my return.” She admits that she “really didn’t have much interest in teaching.” Yet she also had the wisdom to recognize God’s hand at work: “It was like God had to create these circumstances to show me what He wanted me to do.”
Her experience at Willamette University ignited a passion for teaching, and upon finishing her year there, Dr. McNeil began looking for a full-time position. This led her to Bushnell University, where she soon became the university’s first full-time science faculty member in 2002.
Teaching Legacy
“Back then, Bushnell was a small school that depended heavily on the University of Oregon for science courses,” Dr. McNeil recalls. “We didn’t have a science major, and I had to rent a lab space at UO to teach. It was an adventure, but it laid the foundation for where we are today.”
Over the years, Dr. McNeil played an integral role in growing the exercise science program, drafting a major in 2004 and helping it gain recognition among graduate schools. Her teaching efforts in exercise science culminated in impressive success, with many graduates accepted into top physical therapy schools and other professional programs.
As a professor, Dr. McNeil has always prioritized building strong relationships with her students. “I thought it was about imparting knowledge, but it’s really about getting to know the students, understanding what drives them, and helping them achieve their dreams,” she reflects.
Her teaching philosophy, while rooted in challenging students to reach their full potential, has evolved over time to meet changing educational demands. “I find it difficult seeing young people waste their potential, whether academic or athletic. I’ve always set the bar high and been there to help them reach it,” she says. “It’s been tough at times to motivate students, but seeing them break through and realize their abilities has been so rewarding.”
Coaching Legacy
Dr. McNeil’s impact at Bushnell extends far beyond her work as a professor. She also served as the inaugural running coach for the university’s cross-country and track teams. Yet like her induction into the world of teaching, she was initially hesitant to accept the role, having experience working with individual athletes but no prior coaching experience. She did not clearly see the path that God had set out for her, but she recognized the opportunity and let God push her into it, as she puts it.
Her experience working with individual athletes and her background in exercise science guided her coaching philosophy. “I love exercise physiology and I love applying it,” she shares. “I worked with every athlete and tuned their workouts to their individual physiology to the best of my ability. No two athletes were at any point running the exact same workouts.” This unique approach to tailoring workouts to each athlete requires more dedicated focus and effort, but it paid off.
Under her leadership, Bushnell’s distance running program rose to national prominence, with teams consistently ranked in the top 25 of the NAIA. From 2011 to 2018, at least one of her teams qualified for the NAIA National Championships every year, culminating in the women’s cross country program earning the Beacons’ first-ever NAIA National Championship in 2015. Dr. McNeil and her teams enjoyed remarkable success, including the following highlights:
- Three-Time Cascade Collegiate Conference (CCC) Coach of the Year (2016-2019)
- 2015 NAIA Coach of the Year
- 2015 NAIA National Championship
- Seven NAIA Appearances
- Three Consecutive CCC Championships
- 11 Individual CCC Champions
- 59 All-Conference Athletes
- 30 NAIA All-Americans
- 64 NAIA Scholar Athletes
- Over 20 NAIA Team Scholar Awards
Among the many accolades, Dr. McNeil’s proudest moments include seeing her athletes achieve personal bests and rise to their full potential. Her coaching career was as much about developing character and leadership as it was about pushing athletes to achieve their athletic goals. This dual focus was foundational in shaping her remarkable 20-year tenure at Bushnell University, where she has touched the lives of countless students and helped guide the institution’s growth.
Dr. McNeil was inducted into the Bushnell Athletics Hall of Fame in 2022, and in 2019, the Beacon Cup—the prestigious award recognizing the team that best exemplifies the values of Bushnell athletics—was renamed the Dr. Heike McNeil Cup in her honor. This tribute reflects her nine Beacon Cup victories in 13 years of coaching, alongside her other remarkable accomplishments.
A Final Message to Students and Colleagues
As she prepares for retirement, Dr. McNeil shares that one of the things she will miss most is the Bushnell community. ‘The relationships I’ve built with students and colleagues have meant so much to me,’ she says.
She also leaves a message for her students and colleagues—a message of belief and potential—quoting Henry Ford: “Whether you think you can or you think you can’t – you’re probably right.” She encourages them to never limit themselves. “I’ve seen so many students who just needed to believe in their abilities to get to the next level, both academically and athletically,” she says. “Remember when Bushnell, with barely 700 students and a small running team, beat the University of British Columbia at Nationals? That was a huge achievement, and it shows what can happen when you believe in yourself.”
Looking Ahead: New Adventures
Dr. McNeil reflects on the surprise of how quickly retirement came. “We bought property in Central Oregon, and things fell into place much sooner than expected. Our house was built earlier than we thought, which led to an earlier retirement than planned,” she shares.
Yet, she is excited about her future. “I’ll still be coaching with Chaski Endurance Collective, where we help athletes take their running to the next level,” Dr. McNeil reveals. “I’m looking forward to spending more time in Central Oregon, enjoying the outdoors, and coaching remotely.”
After retirement, she is eager to enjoy more time with her husband, who is also retiring from the Eugene Fire Department in December. They look forward to living on their beautiful property in Central Oregon, spending time hiking, skiing, climbing, and running in the mountains. “I feel extremely fortunate to be able to make this move,” she added. “And I’m excited about the new coaching opportunities ahead.”
A Legacy of Faith and Service
Dr. Heike McNeil’s journey at Bushnell University has been one of incredible growth, both for the institution and for her personally. From starting as the first full-time science faculty member to building a nationally recognized cross-country program, her impact on students, colleagues, and the Bushnell community is immeasurable. As she steps into her next chapter, she leaves behind a legacy of faith in God’s guidance and a commitment to helping others reach their potential, both academically and athletically. Her tenure at Bushnell University will continue to inspire all who have had the privilege of working with her.