Neal Powless, a prominent figure in the lacrosse community and University ombuds at Syracuse University, has been inducted into the American Indian Athletic Hall of Fame. The induction ceremony took place on May 2 at the First Americans Museum in Oklahoma City. Powless, a member of the Onondaga Nation Eel Clan, comes from a family with deep roots in lacrosse.
Powless’s lacrosse journey began early, picking up his first stick at age two and playing his first game by four. He continued to play through high school and college at Nazareth College in Rochester, where he became a three-time All-American. His professional career included playing for the Rochester Knighthawks when they won their first Major Indoor Lacrosse League title in 1997. Currently, he coaches the Netherlands National Box Lacrosse Team and plays for Oneida in the North American Box Lacrosse League.
The induction recognizes Powless’s contributions to lacrosse. He is one of four athletes inducted this year and among five from the Haudenosaunee Confederacy honored since the Hall of Fame’s inception.
An exhibition featuring items from Powless’s career was displayed at the museum around the time of his induction. Items included cleats designed by Nike for the Haudenosaunee Nationals in 2006, his Buffalo Bandits stick, Syracuse Smash jersey, and five championship rings.
Powless has been previously inducted into several halls of fame including those for North American Indigenous Athletics and USLacrosse (Upstate Chapter and Greater Rochester Chapter). He also belongs to Nazareth College Hall of Fame and Rochester Red Wings Walk of Fame.
Reflecting on this latest honor, Powless said: “You love your sport, and when that love and commitment is acknowledged it is amazing.” He emphasized how humbling it was to be recognized at such a prestigious venue as the First Americans Museum.
Balancing his passion for lacrosse with his professional life, Powless has served as Syracuse University’s ombuds since 2019. His role involves providing confidential support to faculty, staff, and graduate students. Additionally, he is pursuing a Ph.D. focused on Indigenous imagery in contemporary film at Newhouse School.
Together with his wife Michelle Schenandoah, Powless founded Indigenous Concepts Consulting to integrate Indigenous perspectives into mainstream business practices.
Throughout his life, lacrosse has taught him valuable lessons which he applies across various aspects of life. “This honor is not so much about numbers and stats but more about what the game means to me,” he noted.
Powless stresses principles like showing up fully committed while being open to learning—values he carries into coaching roles or consulting work: “I’m going to show up…do my best…be open…and have fun doing it.”
Acknowledging both victories achieved along with lessons learned from losses faced during games played over years gone by—he believes these experiences shaped who he became today professionally too: “What’s not written down are all those losses teaching success,” adding further insights gained beyond accolades received alone; emphasizing respect towards everyone encountered daily within workplace interactions shared openly without judgment present ever again either way ultimately here now forevermore!
