University of Delaware Athletics
Legendary Delaware AD, Football Coach David Nelson Selected to MAC Conference Hall of Fame
5/9/2016 5:35:00 PM | Football
ANNVILLE, Pa. -- David M. Nelson, one of the most influential figures in the history of University of Delaware athletics and college football, has been selected to the Middle Atlantic Conference Hall of Fame.
Nelson, who passed away in 1991 at the age of 71, was one of 20 former coaches, administrators, and student-athletes making up the fifth MAC Hall of Fame Class.
The list includes those from current and former member institutions. Delaware was a member of the 
MAC until the early 1970s before joining the East Coast Conference and later the America East Conference (originally named the North Atlantic Conference) and current Colonial Athletic Association.
“We are delighted to announce the 2016 MAC Hall of Fame,” said MAC Executive Director Ken Andrews. “This is an exceptional group that represents the best of the Middle Atlantic Conference. It is an honor to recognize these contributors to the MAC legacy.”
As the University of Delaware's head football coach from 1951-1965, the “Admiral” put the Blue Hens in the national spotlight and established a tradition of excellence. He posted a career record of 84-42-2, with a 26-15 mark in MAC play, captured the 1963 Small College Wire Service National title, won three Middle Atlantic Conference championships (1959, 1962, 1963), and three Lambert Cup titles during his tenure.
Nelson was recognized in 1963 as the Washington Touchdown Club College Division National Coach of the Year.
Nelson also served as Delaware's Director of Athletics from 1951 until 1984, and then ended his career as the Dean of the College of Physical Education in 1990.
A member of the College Football Hall of Fame (1987), the Delaware Sports Museum and Hall of Fame (1978), and the University of Delaware Athletics Hall of Fame (1997), Nelson is remembered as the father of the “Wing-T” offense and as the foremost authority on college football rules in the country.
He received the Distinguished American Award from the National Football Foundation and Hall of Fame in 1984 and served as the first full-time commissioner of the Yankee Football Conference in 1989-91. The south athletic complex at the University of Delaware is named in his honor.
Nelson is joined in the Hall of Fame by Marv Antinnes, Wilkes University - Football, Wrestling; John Baum, Temple University - Basketball; Donna Bender, Widener University - Swimming; Bill Berrier, Juniata College – Baseball, Football; Heather Bortz, Moravian College - Softball; Lois Bowers, Gettysburg College – Field Hockey, W. Lacrosse, W. Basketball, W. Swimming and W. Tennis Coach; Ed Dougherty, Lycoming College - Football; Tom Finnegan, Washington College – Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Soccer; Baseball, M. Basketball, and Tennis Coach; Pat Flannery, Lebanon Valley College – Men's Basketball Coach; Jess Harvey, King's College - Softball; Danae Chamber Hollenbach, Messiah College – Field Hockey; Stephen Klingman, University of Scranton – Men's Soccer Coach and Associate AD; Robbie Martin, Elizabethtown College - Soccer; Tom Mitchell, Bucknell University - Football; John Potsklan, Albright College – Baseball and Football Coach; Doris Saracino, Wilkes University – Field Hockey, Volleyball, and W. Basketball Coach; Jim Taylor, Susquehanna University – Track & Field Coach; John Uelses, La Salle University – Track & Field; and Andy Watkins, Susquehanna University – Football and Wrestling.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Contact Scott Selheimer | selheime@udel.edu | Office: 302-831-8007 | Cell: 302-562-5129
