Gary Nelson (2002) - Hall of Fame - Wartburg College Athletics

Hall of Fame

Gary Nelson

Class

1971
Induction

2002
Sport(s)

Football

Gary Nelson ’71
Owner, Nelson Insurance Agency
DeSoto, Iowa

Nelson was a four-time football letter winner who started every game as a freshman, sophomore, and senior. He was named an All-American following his sophomore season, earned two first team all-district honors in NAIA District 15, and was a two-time all-Iowa Conference first team selection. He played on the 1968 Iowa Conference championship squad and ended his four-year career with 3,294 yards and 11 touchdowns. Nelson’s school records for total offense in a game, season, and career stood until the early 1990s. He completed a master’s degree in 1972 at South Dakota State University. As a high school football coach, he compiled a 54-13 record at Nashua and Adel-De Soto, where his teams earned three state playoff berths in 10 seasons. He now owns Nelson Insurance Agency in De Soto.

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