Members
Inductee
NELSON, RICK
NELSON, RICK
Born on June 2, 1952
Michigan
Inducted On
May 18, 2018
Location Inducted
South Bend, Indiana
Region Number
2
Elkhart
Merit - Official
Andover, Bloomfield Hills, MI
1970
Western Michigan University 1972; Michigan State University DVM
1976
Since 1976, has served the Goshen-Elkhart area as a veterinarian in his practice, Animal Aid Clinic - South, in Elkhart; active in veterinary mission work in Africa since 2004; serves as National Education Chairman of the American Animal Hospital Association; co-founder of Concord Youth Football League 1995; continues to officiate at high school level in both football and basketball, including numerous state tournaments in both sports.
Wife, Barbara; children, Jess and Ian
Merit Contributor - Official: Began officiating at the high school level 1986; officiated in Midwest Intercollegiate Football Conference 1987-1998; umpire in Big Ten Conference 1999-2016, officiating over 200 regular season games; officiated Arena Football 1996-2009; Canadian Football League official 2002; currently Big Ten replay technical advisor, observing and evaluating crews.
Professional Officiating Honors: Has officiated the following Bowls - Insight 2002, Independence 2004, Fiesta 2007, Orange 2008, Eagle Bank 2009, Pinstripe 2010, Poinsettia 2011, Big Ten Championship 2012, Holiday 2013, National Championship Rose Bowl 2014, Alamo 2015, and Orange Bowl NCAA Play-off 2016.
Professional Officiating Honors: Has officiated the following Bowls - Insight 2002, Independence 2004, Fiesta 2007, Orange 2008, Eagle Bank 2009, Pinstripe 2010, Poinsettia 2011, Big Ten Championship 2012, Holiday 2013, National Championship Rose Bowl 2014, Alamo 2015, and Orange Bowl NCAA Play-off 2016.
