Long-time coach and current Britton-Hecla girls basketball mentor Terry Nelson will be among those inducted as the first class of the Flandreau Athletic Hall of Fame on Sunday, July 2.
The event is scheduled for the Royal River Casino and Hotel in Flandreau and the inductees will be memorialized on the Wall of Fame inside the casino.
Nelson was a member of three straight state championship track and field teams (1972-74) at Flandreau High School as well as a state runner- up squad in 1975 that just missed a fourth straight crown when a relay was disqualified. Those squads were coached by SD Track and Cross Country Hall of Fame member Gus Barnes, the father of current Britton-Hecla assistant track coach Beth Renner. The 1970-75 FHS cross country and track and field teams will be among the honored squads, along with the 1947-50 FHS football dynasty that included four undefeated seasons and a state record 34 straight wins.
Individuals to be honored include Eldon “Gus” Barnes, FHS cross country and track coach from 1967-91; Rick Birdinground, Flandreau Indian School athlete and 1970 graduate; Wilson “Buster” Charles, 1927 FHS athlete; Casi McFarland, FHS 1992; Andre Roberts, FIS 1981; Antoine “Andy” Zephier, FHS athlete 1949 and FIS coach 1957-80; and football coach James “Tiger” McGlone, FHS 1967-98.
Officers Vern Bechen, Dale Gust, Kenny Rahn, and Mick Ramsdell with the Fliers Booster Club are also being recognized for their work as Contributors/Builders to the athletic programs between 1968-71.
Nelson was a state placer in high jump as a sophomore and in discus and high jump as a senior at Flandreau, holding school records in both events. He was also a member of the school record 440-yard relay team. When attending Huron College he helped re-start the school’s track program as a freshman.
Track success runs in Nelson’s family. His father, Roger, was a state high school discus champion as was his son, Robert.
Nelson’s biggest impact came as a coach in track, boys and girls basketball, and football for 36 years and counting. He came out of retirement last year when he took the reins of the Britton-Hecla girls basketball program. He coached track and football for a total of 30 years at several different schools.
Nelson’s father, Roger, was also a coach, and the coaching bug really bit when he was playing basketball at Huron College but also coached the school’s JV team and an intramural squad. His first coaching job was in Deubrook and he had stints at Cheyenne-Eagle Butte, Chamberlain, Hecla, Frederick-Hecla, and Britton-Hecla. Along the way he has received state junior high coach of the year honors for basketball and football, has numerous regional coach of the year honors, and was named the National Federation of High School Basketball coach of the year for South Dakota for girls basketball.
For over three decades it’s been all about the kids for Nelson.
“I think the most satisfying thing for me has been just getting the kids out for sports and getting involved. High school coaches aren’t in it for the money. It really becomes your life. One person that really stands out for me is Althea Metter at Cheyenne-Eagle Butte. She wasn’t going to go out for track but I was able to convince her, and she went on to be a gold medal winner in the 100 and 200 her junior and senior years and still holds the Class A state record in the 200-meter dash that she set in 1991.”
Being named to the first class of the Flandreau Athletic Hall of Fame is a rewarding feeling for Nelson.
“It’s just the honor of getting in there and remembering all the hard work that went into it from all the teams,” concluded Nelson.
