Dec. 2, 2003

In this year's Utah State basketball media guide, listed under John Neil's post-school ambition are two things. Teach Spanish, which is admirable as well as being a good possibility. Also listed in that category is to become a rock star.

"It is more of a joke than anything," Neil explains half serious. After all, who wouldn't want to be a rock star?

He came from a musically-oriented family, but never really picked up on music while growing up.

"My whole family is involved in music," Neil said. "My sister is a piano teacher, my other sister got her master's degree in choral, my mother is a piano teacher, my brother is in a band, playing guitar and singing."

Despite all of the music in his household, Neil was the only family member who turned to athletics.

"I was the only one that chose athletics over music," the 6-6, 210-pounder said. "I played piano for six months and my mom got sick of me complaining (about having to play). But I have always loved music."

After returning from an LDS Church Mission to Venezuela, Neil decided he wanted to learn to play an instrument. He decided to buy a drum set, took lessons and fell in love with it . He has been playing for a year and one half.

"I sit in my room, put on a CD I like, blast it on the speakers and just try to drum to it," Neil said.

Neil is in his second year as a roommate with teammate Spencer Nelson, who doesn't seem to mind the noise from his friend.

"Last year I played a lot when Spencer was home and it got on his nerves a little bit," Neil said. "This year I just try to play when he is not around. The downstairs neighbor gets the brunt of the rock and roll. He is pretty cool. He comes up sometimes and listens."

When asked about Neil's ability as a drummer, Nelson was quick to respond.

"John is an entertainer," Nelson said laughing. "That is the polite way of saying it. He loves to be entertaining people regardless if they like what he is doing or not. As long as they are watching him, he is happy."

"He is good about the drums," Nelson added. "He is courteous. He makes sure everyone has left before he practices."

Nelson is not too upset with Neil's drumming. The two joined with a couple of friends last year to win a "battle of the bands" at A-Day. The group consisted of Neil on the drums, the two friends on guitar and Nelson as a spandex-clad singer.

"You should see the video," Neil said. No thanks.

The group, played a song they wrote titled "Original" and won the contest. The group won a big screen TV, a DVD player and a surround sound system.

On the court, Neil, who came to Utah State from Canada Junior College, where he averaged 14 points and eight rebounds as a sophomore, is making great strides in his first season after redshirting a year ago.

In the season opener against Fort Lewis, his first collegiate game at the Division I level, he recorded 11 points, two rebounds and three assists in 18 minutes of play. That effort earned him a start against Weber State on Tuesday night. However, he missed his only shot while playing just seven minutes that night.

"John is the guy on our team that cares most about his teammates, is the best conditioned and is a guy who truly loves being an Aggie," said USU assistant coach Don Verlin. "He wanted to come here out of high school (in Los Altos, Calif.). He is the best mannered guy on our team."

The junior is adapting to major college basketball after two years of junior college. He said redshirting last year at USU helped him in a number of ways.

"I became more comfortable with the plays," he said. "In junior college we just ran motion and didn't have many set plays. Learning the system (here) and getting comfortable with the speed of Division I (is what I got out of last year). It is a lot faster and everyone is a lot more athletic. I am not as athletic so I have to be smarter."

And while a professional basketball career or even a career as a rock and roll star may not happen, he is happy being an Aggie.

"The atmosphere here is incredible," Neil said. "The fan support is incredible. The chemistry on the team is great, especially this year. We all get along and we are all friends. We are all positive and nobody has a bad attitude. I love my classes. I have great teachers. I love my major. I am having a lot of fun."