Nelson took over the Chestnut Hill College cross country and track & field programs prior to the start of the 2019-2020 seasons. A former head track coach at Manor College and assistant track and field coach at Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) rival, the University of the Sciences (USciences), he possess 20-plus years of extensive experience in track and field competition.
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Charged with mentoring USciences’ sprinters and throwers, Coach Nelson joined the USciences men’s and women’s track and field programs as an assistant to Head Coach Rich DiGiacomo prior to their inaugural season of 2018. Under his guidance, the Devils’ women earned 11 of their 14 points (10th of 10, 14 points) at the 2018 CACC Track and Field Championships in the Discus (4 points), Hammer (1), Shot Put (4), and 4x100-Meter Relay (2). A year later, in 2019, freshman McKayla Kelly (Holland, Pa.) became the Devils’ first female All-CACC honoree with a second place finish in the Shot Put (11.4 meters).
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Nelson earned his United States of America Track and Field (USATF) Level 1 Certification and National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Coaching Certification while serving as the Head Track and Field Coach at Saint John Neumann High School (currently Saint John Neumann and Saint Maria Goretti High School) from 1997 to 2000. Years later, in 2006, Coach Nelson transitioned to collegiate athletics, taking on responsibilities as the defensive back and special teams coach with La Salle University’s Division I football program. He returned to the track and field forum in 2013 as the Head Track and Field Coach at Boys Latin High School, where he produced All-Pennsylvania State performers in the 4x100-Meter Relay (28th out of 550 teams). Coach Nelson resumed coaching at the collegiate level three years later with his 2016 appointment at USciences.
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A life-long educator, Nelson’s professional work experience also includes teaching positions at Cornerstone Christian Academy (1994-1998), Raising Horizon Quest Charter School (2003-2006), Communities in Schools Education Center (2016-2017), West Oak Lane Charter School (2017-2018), and Camelot North High School (2018-present). He additionally served as the District 8 (West Philadelphia) Manager for the City of Philadelphia Parks and Recreation Department from 1994 to 2016.
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Nelson is a member of the St. John Neumann High School Hall of Fame for both football and track and field. He earned his bachelor’s degree in sports and recreation management from Temple University in 1994. A four-year letter winner, he played strong safety for the Owls before signing a professional contract in Taiwan’s United Football League. Nelson earned a master’s in multicultural education from Eastern University in 2003.
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Nelson currently lives in Havertown, Pennsylvania, and is a proud father of two sons; Shane, Shon, and a daughter; Shivani.
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