BUIES CREEK, N.C. – After establishing the Steele Family endowed scholarship, former Campbell head coach and the architect of the rebirth of the Campbell football program, Dale Steele was presented with the Orange Tie Award, the night's highest honor, highlighting the 2025 Orange Tie Gala.

Announced at this year's Gala, the Steele Family generously committed $250,000 on this year's Campbell Giving Day, establishing an endowment dedicated to football scholarships.

"The Steele Family is excited to be acknowledged by the Recognition with the Orange Tie Award" said Steele. "It is an exciting time to be associated with Campbell Athletics and the University. We look forward with GREAT anticipation to being the best Campbell University we can be. Roll Humps!"

"Coach Steele's generosity once again reminds us how fortunate we are to have him and his wonderful family's support," said Campbell Director of Athletics Hannah Bazemore. "Thank you, not only for this substantial gift that will continue to provide opportunities for student-athletes for years to come, but for everything you've already poured into this program over the years. Coach Steele's belief in the vision he set into motion nearly two decades ago continues to guide and inspire us all. Thank you for your unwavering support, setting such an incredible example. We are profoundly grateful."

The Orange Tie Gala, the third annual event, was held again at the Marriott City Center in downtown Raleigh on November 14. Hosted by Campbell Athletics and the Fighting Camel Club, the Orange Tie Gala celebrated recent achievements in Campbell Athletics, both on and off the field of competition, while raising thousands of dollars for Fighting Camel student-athletes, gathering the top supporters of Campbell Athletics, along with administrators and coaches.

Guests, which grew to nearly 200 total this year, also heard from Director of Athletics Hannah Bazemore, enjoying dinner along with live and silent auctions, as well as live music and games throughout the night, which featured an exciting Casino Night theme, providing a high-energy evening of fun, fellowship, and impact, all in support of the Fighting Camels.

Inducted into the Campbell Athletics Hall of Fame in 2025, Steele was named Campbell's first head coach of its modern era on June 15, 2006, of a program that had been dormant since 1950. Steele built the coaching staff and oversaw Campbell's first six recruiting classes on the NCAA Division I level. Under Steele's guidance, the Camels produced 33 All-Pioneer Football League performers from 2008-12 and 192 PFL Academic Honor Roll members. The team led the PFL – and ranked among the nation's top-20 programs – in rushing for three-straight years from 2009-11. In 2011, Campbell won five-consecutive games and finished with the program's first overall (6-5) and conference (5-3) winning records.

The son of a high school coach and a 1976 graduate of the University of South Carolina, where he played on both the offensive and defensive line, Steele began a collegiate coaching career that lasted more than 45 years in 1977 as a graduate assistant at Ball State. Among the many accomplishments his teams produced were five bowl games – including four during two stints on the staff at East Carolina, as well as back-to-back NCAA FCS National titles in 2016 and 2017 while serving as Director of Football Administration at James Madison.

A 35-year member of the American Football Coaches Association, Steele served as FCS representative on the NCAA Football Issues Committee, as well as a voting member on the FCS Coaches Poll and All-America selection committee. Now retired from coaching, he remains involved in the game as an advisory and team host for the Myrtle Beach Bowl.

For more information on the Fighting Camel Club, visit GoCamels.com/FCC.