Vermont State University Lyndon

"Coach never uses excuses, always listens to ideas, cares deeply about his players, loves to compete, and preaches academic excellence as well as outstanding citizenship." - Patrick Rainville, former player

James F. Nelson '01 graduated from Lyndon with a degree in elementary education.  As a student, he was a stand-out basketball player. He was a four-year starter and served as captain for three years. 

Nelson accumulated numerous accolades during his collegiate basketball career to include All-Tournament Team, All-Conference Team, NAIA All-American Scholar-Athlete, and numerous Mayflower Conference Scholar Athlete designations. He reached the 1,000 points milestone on January 29, 2001 on the home court against St. Joseph's College of Vermont. 

At the conclusion of his senior year, Nelson and his teammates brought home the Mayflower Conference Championship - the first and only conference championship for the men's basketball program. 

Nelson graduated cum laude and has put his Lyndon education to use at a few local schools thus far. He began as a first grade teacher at the Lyndon Town School.  From there, he moved on to the Danville School as a seventh grade math/science teacher. His high school alma mater, Blue Mountain Union School (BMU), is now the recipient of his talents. 
Nelson has worked at BMU as a fifth to seventh grade math teacher, as a Title I math teacher, and now as a third and fourth grade teacher.

After graduating from Lyndon, Nelson immediately set out to establish himself as high school boys' basketball coach. He has been the varsity boys' coach at Danville School for the past 10 seasons. Under his leadership, his teams have advanced to four final fours and two championship games. 

He received the Coach-of-the-Year Award for Division IV for the 2005-2006 season and earned his 100th win during the first game of the 2009-2010 season. He has organized a summer basketball program for Danville high school students over the past 10 summers. Nelson career record to date is 135-88, a noteworthy achievement as his record after the first two years was 6-37. 
 
In March 2010, Nelson and the Danville boys' basketball team faced off against his college roommate, Ira Wheeler '00, and the Twinfield Trojans in the state championships where they came out the runner-up.
 
Nelson assisted in starting and continues to work for a soccer program for three to seven year olds and a kindergarten - second grade basketball program, both at BMU.  He also coaches little league T-ball for the school and is an avid chaperone for school field trips, both as a teacher and parent. 

Nelson served as a camp counselor at LSC's Hornet Hoop Basketball Camp for five years and has played in eight of the last 10 alumni games. 
 
Nelson resides in Ryegate, Vt. with his wife, Christy '03, and his daughters, Kolby and Kyra.