For the first time since the 2004-05 season, Gavilan College will have a women’s basketball team. And Erik Nelson has been hired as the Rams’ head coach to begin the ground-up resurrection of the program.
Gavilan athletic director Ron Hannon made the announcement Thursday after a nearly two-month search.
“We’re extremely excited about what Erik has to offer our student-athletes, Gavilan College and this community,” Hannon stated in a press release. “Being a local, Erik understands the value of our students and what an experience at Gavilan College can offer them, both in the short and long term. He has always been a hard worker whose priorities have always been on the full development of the student-athlete. Having placed high school players into both community colleges and at the four-year level, Erik will be able to extend his knowledge and experience to our student-athletes.”
Nelson, a graduate of Gilroy High School (2002) and former member of the men’s basketball team at Gavilan College from 2002-04 will begin working immediately to start up the program with recruiting the top priority.
“Ever since I started my coaching career at the collegiate level, Gavilan College has always been where I wanted to be,” Nelson said in a statement. “It has so much to offer our local students.”
After leaving Gavilan College, Nelson transferred to Bethany University to continue his playing career for the next two seasons. He graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications. Currently, Nelson is completing his master’s degree in Sports Leadership at Concordia University.
Nelson has served as an assistant head coach and recruiting coordinator at both William Jessup University and Dominican University. He also served as a player development coach for Jennifer Azzi at the University of San Francisco, according to the press release.
“I’m excited about making Gavilan College a destination and first choice for women’s basketball,” Nelson said.
The Rams plan on opening their 2012-13 season at West Hills College in Lemoore on Nov. 13.
