Ruth Nelson (2013) - Hall of Fame - University of Northern Colorado Athletics

Ruth Nelson

Induction:
2013
Class:
1970

Nelson was a five-sport athlete, earning letters in basketball, field hockey, softball, tennis and volleyball and ranked second in doubles in the Intermountain USTA Region and is widely remembered as one of the best athletes at the institution during the pre-AIAW era. Nelson went on to coach for 16 years at the collegiate level at George Williams College, Houston, Louisiana State and Iowa, totaling over 500 wins. Nelson has been a USA National Team Player, USA National Team Assistant Coach, USA National Team Technical Advisor, Junior National Team Head Coach, World University Games Head Coach and Dallas Belles Major League Volleyball Professional Team Head Coach with additional experience in training, sports marketing, fundraising and advertising. Nelson has also received two prestigious awards: USA Volleyball’s All-time Great Coach Award – Pioneer Division, awarded in 2011 and USA Volleyball’s George J. Fisher Volleyball Award for significant service rendered to the sport of for at least 20 years, received in 1996.