David Moir " The Admiral " Nelson received both his B.S. (1942) and M.S. (1946) in Physical Education from the University of Michigan. He came to the University of Delaware in 1951 and served as athletic director until 1984. In addition, he served Delaware as head football coach from 1951-1966 and Dean of the College of Physical Education, Athletics, and Recreation from 1980-89. He retired from the University in 1989 and was selected as the first full-time commissioner of the Yankee Conference, a position he held until his death in 1991.

David Nelson is best known as the father of the Wing-T football offense, but he was also a widely respected authority on collegiate football regulations and safety. During his tenure at the University of Delaware, Nelson supervised the construction of Delaware Stadium (1952), the completion of the Field House (1949), and the Ice Rink (1971). Additionally, he was instrumental in the development of women’s athletics at the University, long before Title IX was instituted.

Nelson was a member of the NCAA Football Rules Committee for 34 years (1957-90), the longest tenure in the committee’s history. From 1962-1990, he served as the committee’s Secretary-Editor, a service record unequalled by anyone in the history of collegiate football.

Nelson’s 1963 team was undefeated and named Small College National Champions by United Press International. Nelson led teams to three Middle Atlantic Conference titles, three Lambert Cup titles, and developed Delaware into the "Little Giants of the East" with his now-famous Delaware Wing-T offense.

Nelson was inducted into the State of Delaware Sports Hall of Fame in 1978. He received the National Football Foundation’s Distinguished American Award in 1984, was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1987, and became a charter member of the University of Delaware Athletics Hall of Fame in 1997. The Athletic Complex was renamed in his honor in 1996.

More about David Nelson:

University of Delaware Library Special Collections Page

University of Delaware Athletics Hall of Fame

David M. Nelson Athletic Complex (interactive map)