University of Wisconsin-Stout Athletics

A member of the 1954-55 football teams, Orv Nelson, a 1956 Stout graduate, returned to the university in 1963 to join the faculty. That same year, Nelson joined the athletic committee and went on to become one of the Blue Devils' biggest supporters over the years. Upon the retirement of faculty athletic representative (FAR) Dwight Chinook three years later, Nelson was appointed Stout's FAR and served in that capacity for more than 25 years. During his tenure, Nelson, who three times served as the conference FAR chair, was part of a group that wrestled with a wide variety of issues, including eligibility cases, budget reductions, campus budget issues, UW-Stout enrollment caps and the explosion and popularity of women's athletics. Over the years, Nelson has been an active member of university booster clubs, helped to establish the UW-Stout Athletic Hall of Fame and also helped to establish the Menomonie Area Youth Baseball Association.