Bill Nelson (1987) - Hall of Fame

Bill Nelson

Induction:
1987
Class:
1950

During the Golden Era of Panther wrestling, Bill Nelson played a key role. In 1947, he won the NCAA title at 165 pounds, the only UNI freshman to win the title. An injury during the 1948 tournament stopped him from becoming the NCAA’s only four-time champion, but he was a member of the 1948 Olympic team. As a junior and senior at 155 pounds, he again won both NCAA and NAAU titles. While in college, he was undefeated in dual competition. He was also named the nation’s Outstanding Amateur Wrestler in 1950.

Nelson was a state high school champion in Eagle Grove, Iowa, and after his collegiate career, he began coaching in the high school ranks in Colorado, Iowa and Michigan. From 1963-83, at which time he retired, he was an associate professor of Health, Physical Education and Recreation at the University of Arizona. He directed the prestigious Arizona Invitational Wrestling Tournament for 13 years and was coach of the West team at the East-West All-Star Wrestling Tournament held at Lehigh University in 1970. Nelson’s other hall of fame inductions include the Helms National Wrestling Hall of Fame (1963), the Arizona Wrestling Hall of Fame (1977), the National Wrestling Hall of Fame (1980) and the Iowa High School Wrestling Hall of Fame (1983).

He was president of the National Wrestling Coaches Association in 1976 and was a member of the Executive Committee of that organization for 12 years. He also was a wrestling official for many years.