Colorado Mesa University Athletics

Information as of 1996:  Nelson attended Grantsville High School in Grantsville, Utah, where in his senior year he was the captain of the basketball team, quarterback of the football team, and was the No. 1singles player in tennis. Nelson earned his baccalaureate and masters degrees from Utah State Agricultural College where he played on the basketball team and lettered in tennis. Nelson began his coaching career in Idaho at the high school level. He took over as the Mesa College basketball coach in 1955. During his tenure as basketball coach, Mesa's record was 260-193, with three conference championships, two regional championships and two appearances at the national tournament. In addition to coaching basketball, Nelson was also the assistant football coach and the tennis coach. Nelson served as Athletic Director at Mesa for 26 years. During that time, athletics prospered at Mesa. He was successful in convincing the college of the need for a new athletic and physical education complex. The women's program also came into existence under Nelson's leadership.