Dan McCarthy
Journal Staff
Suffolk University Athletic Director Jim Nelson has been a vital piece of the school’s sports department for nearly 45 years. Starting as head coach of the Rams varsity basketball team in 1966, Coach Nelson, as he is affectionately referred to by the Suffolk population, oversees all operations in the Suffolk University sports department. Despite all the classes he’s seen come and go, he’s just as excited for the class of 2014 as any other he’s seen in his prestigious career.
“They’ve shown an enthusiasm, clearly evident from the class barbeque and convocation,” said Nelson. “We’re all well aware that Boston is a magnet for our students, and we’re certainly pleased to be a part of that mix.”
Over the course of 34 years as athletic director, Nelson has seen a great deal of change on and off the field of play for Suffolk Athletics. In particular, he has been able to watch the women’s soccer team blossom from an intramural club sport to a real title threat in the GNAC Conference.
In their third season in varsity competition they have already eclipsed the number of wins they had in 2009, and Nelson gave credit to all those who were involved in their significant jump the past few seasons. In particular, he brought up Ernst Cleophat, who has overseen the maturation of the program.
“Head Coach Ernst Cleophat is to be complimented for the recruits he brought in from this past year,” said Nelson. “And the veteran players for their ability to mesh with this young new talent.”
On the men’s side, the Rams are currently 5-4-1 and are coming off a tie with undefeated Tufts University. Nelson is expecting big things from both soccer programs during the rest of their 2010 campaigns.
“Not only do we want to compete, we want to succeed,” he said. “The goal is at the end of the season to be involved in the playoffs, with the potential for automatic qualification for the NCAA national tournament.”
Looking outside of the soccer field, Coach Nelson also has big plans for improving the Suffolk environment for all students, regardless of athletic involvement.
“We’re hopeful that our fitness center is going to have a complete renovation,” said Nelson. “If all goes the way we hoped, then our university population will be most pleased with how it looks.”
Nelson has held the best interests of the Suffolk Rams for the entirety of his career. Whether praising the efforts of his current athletes, or creating a better environment for his future ones, Nelson’s passion for his profession has yet to diminish, making him an essential piece to the puzzle at Suffolk University.
