Photo Credit: NAYS
Chris Nelson began his college education at Kansas State University as a business major, but an experience as an intramural basketball official his freshman year completely changed his plans—and his life.
“I was in over my head,” recalls Nelson of that first day on the court. “I was like a deer in the headlights. The game was so fast, and I was officiating my peers. In the long run, I ended up sticking with the officiating and even did multiple other sports. I became obsessed on how to become a better official, making other officials better, and improving the program in its entirety. I also realized all the benefits that recreation has to offer people of all ages, and I loved participating as a kid. Once I started working in the intramural program, I began to look at other options, and here I am today.”
Earlier this year, Nelson, a Certified Youth Sports Administrator, was named Recreation Supervisor of Youth Sports for the city of Manhattan (Kan.) Parks and Recreation.