The basketball court at the Valders High School Gym is now known as Dick Nelson Court.
After coaching for 22 years at Valders and teaching Social Studies, Richard “Dick” Nelson was recognized for his accomplishments between the JV and varsity basketball games last night (November 21st).
Nelson was the coach who led the 1982-84 Vikings basketball teams to three consecutive trips to state while winning runner-up each time.
He says the three teams faced high schools they would never face today because of their school size like Portage, Wilmont, Monona Grove, and Kimberly.
“Also, it was just a great group of guys,” he told Seehafer News. “They had success along through the grades and it was a nice group to have.”
Nelson called the honor very humbling.
“When they called me and told me about it I was at a loss for words and anyone who knows me knows that usually not a problem,” he said. “But it was that night and I’ve had several months to think about it and it’s quite incredible.”
Nelson also won eight regional WIAA tournaments and three sectional tournaments starting in 1980.
Coach Nelson was also inducted into the Lakeshore All Sports Hall of Fame in 1997 and the Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Hall of Fame in 2002.
During the ceremony, Nelson also recognized his assistant coaches plus several basketball players he coached during his tenure.
