Hall of Honor
“Pill” Nelson’s lifelong love affair with athletics began in the West, and during the next half-century, he earned honors and respect both as a player and as a coach, A prep All-Stater in Montana, he came “east” to play at Beloit college during a football heyday under Tommy Mills in the early ‘20’s. He was described as a youth “who hid in the corner at parties but was a tiger on the gridiron Saturday afternoons.” In his first game, Beloit upset mighty Northwestern; in 1922, he was the standout fullback on the College’s first championship team; as a senior, he was captain and won All-Conference recognition. After 25 highly successful years of high school coaching the last five in Beloit, where he won two football titles and state championships in basketball and track. Nelson answered his Alma Mater’s call in 1950 to be head football and wrestling coach. Two years later, he produced the College’s only undefeated football team. His over-all gridiron record of 195 wins, 104 losses, and 21 ties includes seven champions and four undefeated campaigns. “A modest tactician but strict fundamentalist,” Pill is held in high esteem by his coaching colleagues and was revered by his players.
