Sam MacNeil

Hugh Samuel MacNeil (April 5, 1925 – October 30, 2008) was an American basketball player and coach for the Cornell Big Red men's basketball team, as well as a politician who was a member of the New York State Assembly.

Playing career MacNeil was born in Le Roy, New York and grew up in Williamsville, New York, where he was a three sport athlete in high school. During World War II, he was a United States Merchant Marine radio communications officer in the Pacific Theatre. After the war, he spent one semester at Buffalo State College before transferring to Cornell University.

Politics After leaving coaching, MacNeil owned a small business and pursued a career in politics. He was a member of the Tompkins County Board of Representatives from 1970 to 1978 and was chairman of the board from 1976 to 1978. From 1979 to 1988, MacNeil was a member of the New York State Assembly.