John Nelson - 1991

Fairfield High School

John Nelson attended Groveport HIgh School for three years and graduated from Logan High School. He played football, basketball and baseball at both schools. Coach Nelson graduated from Ohio University in 1964 where he was a member of the Bobcat baseball team. He later returned to Ohio University to receive a Masters Degree in Physical Education. In 1964, John was hired as a physical education teacher and baseball coach at Fairfield Union High just outside Lancaster, Ohio. In 1965, John was married and spent the 1965-66 and 66-67 school years teaching and coaching in Clovis, New Mexico, and Hebron, Ohio. In the fall of 1967, Coach Nelson returned to Fairfield Union High School and is now in his 26th year as the Falcon baseball coach.

John is the son of Mildred Nelson and the late Kermit Nelson formerly of Canal Winchester. Every spring, Falcon baseball would bring them from Florida, home Ohio. While at Ohio University, John met Cecelia and they too are in their 26th year. They are the proud parents of four children. Theresa, age 20, alternating between working at the Grand Canyon and attending college in Michigan. Jim, 18, is a freshman majoring in forestry at the University of Montana in Missoula. Christopher, age 17, is a senior at Fairfield Union High School and a member of the golf and baseball teams. Erin is ten years old and a fifth grade student in the Fairfield Union School District.

There have been many highlights in Coach Nelson's 25 years at Fairfield Union. In the spring of 1990, John achieved his 500th victory with both his sons in the game. His overall record is 505 wins and 162 loses. He has never had a losing season. Under Coach Nelson the Falcon Baseball Team has won 13 Mid-State League Championships and finished in second place 10 times. They have won six Central District Titles and have appeared in six Regional Tournaments. In 1969, the Flacons played in the State Tournament Semi-Finals. In 1986, The Falcon Baseball Team was the State Runner-up. The 1989 squad was voted number one in the State Poll. Coach Nelson has sent 42 players on to play college baseball. Six of his players have been drafted into the professional ranks. John Nelson has coached in seven Central District All-Star Games and two All-State All-Star Games.