Former Golf and Basketball Coach Bill 'The Goat' Nelson Passes Away at 83

Former BC Golf/Basketball Coach Bill 'The Goat' Nelson passed away last week at the age of 83.
Former BC Golf/Basketball Coach Bill 'The Goat' Nelson passed away last week at the age of 83.

It is with heavy heart that we announce the passing of former Bakersfield College Athletics and California Community College Athletics Association (CCCAA) Hall of Fame coaching legend Bill 'The Goat' Nelson, who passed away last week at the age of 83.  

Nelson joined the Renegade Athletics family in 1965 as a professor and Head Golf Coach. Nelson coached the men's golf team from 1966-2002 and also coached the men's basketball program from 1967-1973 compiling an 89-81 record during his tenure on the hardwood.  Coach Nelson was inducted into the CCCAA Golf Hall of Fame in 2012.

Coach Bill 'The Goat' Nelson's 1975 BC Staff Headshot.

Above: Coach Bill 'The Goat' Nelson's 1975 BC staff headshot. Photo courtest: BC Archives. 

"Coach Nelson was more than a coach to the BC golf program; he was our guiding light," said BC head golf coach Wesley Coble. "Coach was not only my coaching mentor but a dear friend. I was blessed to fellowship with him every Tuesday morning for the last 11 years. His friendship and guidance is arguably the greatest gift any coach could give another. It breaks my heart thinking that I wont be able to sit with him post round and talk golf and life. I pray that his daughter and family know what a blessing coach was to my family and the Bakersfield community." 

After retiring from the Bakersfield College ranks it wasn't uncommon to see Coach Nelson drifting on his bass boat or handing out coaching tips on the course.  

"His presence, humor and friendship will be missed by many. I only hope that I can fill just a small portion of the massive footprint he left on Bakersfield College Athletics and the golf community. I will miss him dearly," said Coach Coble.

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