Gordon Nelson coached six years at McAlester High School, leading some of that school’s most successful teams from 1979-85.

He moved to Carl Albert High School as an assistant coach from 1986-1990.

But he has made his biggest mark as an official beginning in 1977.

Consistently chosen to officiate the state tournament, Nelson is known as an official who controls the mat, but also mentors and guides other officials to be the best they can be.

He was chosen to referee the All-State match in 1994 and is a member of the Central Oklahoma Officials Association.