Hugh “Scottie” O’Neill was born July 16, 1939 in Dumbarton, Scotland and came to live in the United States in 1960. He brought with him a wonderful talent and many outstanding contributions to soccer.
In 1967 he helped organize, coach, and served as Commissioner, in one of the first youth leagues in Georgia, the Soccer Youth League of Georgia. The very next year, that league expanded and became the DeKalb Youth Soccer Association, where Scottie continued as Commissioner, Coach, Referee, Field Marshall and all-around Administrator. For the next several years he also found time to help new varsity sports, and continued to help for years while the school developed one of the strongest soccer programs in the high school system. All this while continuing his involvement as both youth and high school referee.

In 1971, Scottie realized a longtime goal by organizing and coaching the Hotspurs Soccer Club. This club concept, developed by Scottie and fellow Hall of Fame member Walter Gray, became the model for today’s youth soccer clubs in Georgia. His under 19 Hotspurs won the state championship in that year, went to the Regional Finals and over the years that followed won many more state championships. From 1971 to 1976 Scottie concentrated his coaching and development efforts in the Hotspurs Soccer Club. In 1972 the club added a team that competed in the Atlanta District Amateur Soccer League, reaching the league finals in their season. In 1973, the under 19 team won the state championship and again competed in the Regional competition. In that same year, 1973, Scottie organized and coached yet another under 19 team with the goal of competing in the USSF Under 19 National cup. The very next year, 1974, they won the state championship, won in regional elimination’s, won the southern Regional Tournament in Dallas, Texas, and went to the National Finals in San Diego, California, where they went as far as the semi-finals, an undreamed-of result for a Georgia youth team, in a statewide youth program barely 7 years old.

In 1975 he began coaching his daughter and son in their youth soccer activities, and spent more and more time in one of his many soccer loves, coaching younger age players, while still continuing his many coaching and administrative activities with the Hotspurs Club. In 1976 Scottie became head varsity soccer coach at Georgia State University, a position he held until 1987. His college team amassed an enviable record of 145 wins, 57 losses, and4 draws. In addition, they achieved 7 conference finals, and 3 conference championships. In 1978 he was named the Conference Coach of the year. Always an avid promoter of youth soccer, Scottie helped organize a youth soccer program in Douglas County in 1978, as well as a new varsity soccer program at Douglas County High School that same year.

After 20 years Scottie left Georgia for points farther South to pursue his career elsewhere. Tragically, in 1998 Scottie passed away at a far too early age. All of his Georgia Soccer family lost a truly great companion. The legacy Scottie O’Neill left places him in a class to which only a very few special soccer people in Georgia belong. A pioneer in Georgia, a winning coach, an organizer, a referee, a developer of youth, and a winner in every respect.

Accepting the award today is Mrs. Alyce O’Neill, Son Joseph, Daughters Marie and Kerri.

It is with pleasure that the Georgia State Soccer Association inducts Hugh “Scottie” O’Neill into its Hall of Fame.