Mark Nelson has been hired as the Knox College Director of Track & Field and Cross Country and Head Track Coach, announced Director of Athletics Corey Goff on Tuesday.
Most recently, Nelson was the Head Track and Field Coach at Bethel College, where the team broke 25 school records in his two years at the helm.
“Mark Nelson has an established record of success coaching track & field and cross country at both the college and high school levels,” said Goff. “His expertise in recruiting and developing high-achieving student athletes will provide the depth and quality necessary to elevate our program.”
Nelson was previously the Director of Track and Field and Cross Country at Central Methodist University (CMU). He was twice named the Heart of America Conference (HAAC) Coach of the Year and coached 33 All-American student-athletes. Nelson also served on the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Indoor Games Committee from 2017-19.
“I am very excited to hit the ground running,” said Nelson. “My goal is to build a program that is competitive year in and year out in the Midwest Conference in both track & field and cross country, with student-athletes that are leaders on campus and in athletics. Thank you to Corey Goff and the rest of the search committee for giving me the opportunity to lead the Prairie Fire Track and Field Program.”
Before CMU, Nelson coached locally at Dixon High School, Sauk Valley Community College, and the Sterling Track Club.
Nelson is a graduate of Augustana College, majoring in Secondary Education and History. He began his coaching career as a Student Assistant Coach at Augustana. Nelson earned his Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction from National-Louis University.
***Story and photo courtesy of Knox College Athletic Department***
