USD Women's Basketball 2007-2008

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• n1ecee

Assistant Coach Third Season Concordia, 2002

N iecee Nelson is entering her third season as an assistant coach at USD. Nelson's primary respon– sibilities with the Toreros include; point guard de– velopment, assisting with scouting of opponents, recruiting, academic support of the team. Nelson was pro– moted in the offseason an now is in charge of the team's academics, budget and team Equipment. Nelson also oversees team travel and student -athlete affairs. During only her second season, she helped guide the Toreros to their biggest turn around in program history, a 12-game improvement from 9-19 in the 2005-06 season to a 21-9 record in 2006-07 season. Under Nelson's guid– ance, the Toreros placed three players on the AII-WCC lists, including the WCC Co-Player of the Year Amanda Rego. During her first year with the Toreros, Nelson worked closely with the development of the guards, helping to guide Tiara Harris to a first-team AII-WCC selection and Kelly Winther being named to the AII-WCC Freshman team. As the summer camps director, Nelson has seen a dramatic increase in the Toreros team camp enrollment in only her second season in directing the program. In addition to working with the student athletes in hon– ing their skills on the court, Nelson was integral in creating a monthly newsletter to promote the women's basketball program. This newsletter includes updated game statis– tics, conference standings, community service news and thoughts from the seniors on the season. Nelson came to USD after spending one season at Indi– ana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne (IPFW). While at IPFW Nelson's primary responsibilities were team travel, post player development, marketing and academic sup– port. Within two months of arriving at IPFW, Nelson was promoted to recruiting coordinator leading the charge in overseas recruiting into Brazil and Europe. Nelson's mar– keting efforts helped increase attendance at the women's basketball games for the 2004-2005 season. Prior to working at IPFW, she worked as a graduate assis– tant at the University of Wyoming with current USD head coach Cindy Fisher. Nelson worked closely with the staff and team on practice and game day coaching, individual workouts, academic support, film exchange, and guard and post development. She helped the Cowgirls culminate a 18-12 mark in 2002-03. The 18 wins were the school's most victories since 1989-90. She also helped lead the Cowgirls to their first postseason appearance since 1989-90 with a trip to the 2003 WNIT, where Wyoming notched a first– round win over Montana. The WNIT win over Montana marked the first postseason victory in Wyoming women's

basketball history. Nelson was a two-time NAIA All-American at Concordia University in Portland, Ore. She was also named to the Lu- . theran Brotherhood All-American Team, and was a schol– ar-athlete. Nelson was chosen as the Cascade Conference Freshman-of-the-year in her first year at Concordia. Nelson graduated with a bachelor's degree in Elemen– tary Education in 2002 from Concordia, and a master of science degree in kinesiology and health in 2004 from the University of Wyoming. She resides in San Diego with her husband Steve. The Nelson's are expecting their first baby in May of 2008.

GETTING TO KNOW COACH NELSON

Favorite USD Basketball Memory: Beating Georgia Tech on our home floor.

Favorite place to visit: Hawaii

My craziest ambition: I want to fly a jet.

One word to describe myself: Creative

My advice to youngsters: Believe that you can, and you will.

My most embarrassing moment at USD: I dropped a pen on the floor during a crucial defensive possession, and play was stopped because of it.

Favorite TV show: Heras