By Nate Dugener
LocalSportsJournal.com

NORTH MUSKEGON–David Nelson is a busy man.

He’s been an officer in the North Muskegon Police Department for 26 years and all the while, he’s been coaching the area’s youth.

Nelson has been coaching middle and high school athletics. He’s been an assistant football coach for 10  years for the jayvee and varsity teams at North Muskegon.

Nelson graduated from Oakridge High School in 1991. He played 3 years of football and 2  years of varsity basketball. In the spring, he ran track.

Following high school, Nelson attended Ferris State University from 1991-1995 while on a football scholarship. He graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice.

After college, Nelson began working as an officer in North Muskegon. In 2015, Nelson became the school’s Resource Officer and detective.

Nelson began his coaching career by with daughters during their middle school years at North Muskegon. Nowadays, Nelson has been an assistant coach for the Norsemen jayvee and varsity teams. He serves as the running backs and defensive backs coach. He also is the assistant coach at the middle school, where he is the defensive coordinator.

“As a coach in my various positions, I want to have a positive influence as a role model to the student athletes” Nelson said, “As a coach/law enforcement officer, I want to build positive personable relationships with the players, which evolves into a positive relationship with the North Muskegon community at large. My personal goal is to create good athletes but even better people off the field.”

Nelson hopes to instill positive vibes in all school districts that may be facing personal hardships.

“Participating in sports is a healthy outlet for all the different hardships,” Nelson said. “Being on a team can create needed structure for some, and a family like atmosphere, which can form long-lasting friendships.

“Being on a team that has the same goal in mind helps hold you accountable for your actions off the field as well, such as drugs and underage drinking,” he said.