Hampton University Athletics

Lela V. Nelson is entering her third year with the Hampton University men’s track & field program, and her first as a part-time assistant coach. She spent the 2009-10 season as a volunteer assistant with the Pirates.

Nelson is reunited with Pirates head coach Steven Lewis; Lewis served as assistant women’s coach for Eastern Michigan University from 2002-05, while Nelson was a student there – as well as fellow Pirates assistant coach Patrice Beasley.

While at Eastern Michigan, earning a bachelor’s degree in written communications, Nelson lit up the track to the tune of seven school records and the 2005 NCAA championship in the women’s heptathlon. Nelson was also named an All-American in the long jump in 2005.

Among the records Nelson still holds: indoor heptathlon (3,851 – 2004), outdoor 100-meter high hurdles (13.34 – 2005), outdoor long jump (6.40 meters – 2005), outdoor heptathlon (5,878 – 2005), indoor 4x400-meter relay (3:38.49 – 2005), outdoor 4x100-meter relay (44.99 – 2005) and outdoor 4x200-meter relay (1:33.80 – 2005).

Nelson holds the relay records along with Beasley.

Nelson has competed in track & field professionally since 2006, winning the women’s pentathlon in the USA Indoor Track & Field Championships that same year. She also finished 12th in the long jump at the 2008 IAAF World Indoor Championships, and 4th in the heptathlon at the 2009 USA Outdoor Track & Field Championships.

While competing professionally, Nelson also got her coaching start at Wake Forest – where she spent 2006-09 as a volunteer assistant.

Nelson, a Detroit, Mich. native, enjoys writing, reading and photography. She also enjoys spending time with her dog, Rogue Marie Mason.