Eisenhower’s Ricky Nelson honored by GHFCA

Eisenhower High School trainer Ricky Nelson

Ricky Nelson’s 27 years of dedicated service as an athletic trainer was richly rewarded when he was recently named the recipient of the Bobby Gunn Athletic Trainer of the Year for large schools by the Greater Houston Football Coaches Association (GHFCA).

The GHFCA’s Board of Directors selected Nelson for the award, which is named after one of the trailblazers of high school trainers in the Houston area and in the State of Texas.

Nelson, who has been the head trainer at Eisenhower for 22 years, will receive his award on May 7 at the GHFCA’s annual Membership BBQ and Awards Ceremony at the University of Houston’s Assembly Hall.

Nelson was nominated by Eisenhower High head football coach Kerry Bamburg and former Eisenhower head coach Richard Carson, who is currently the head football coach at College Park High School. In addition to winning the Bobby Gunn Award, [icons icon_name=”icon-external-link” icon_size=”14px”]Nelson was also named the Region V Trainer of the Year by the Texas High School Coaches Association and was the runner-up for Texas Trainer of the Year.

“What a well deserving award this is for Doc (Nelson’s nickname) and for everything he does for Eisenhower athletics,” Bamburg said. “It’s great to see him recognized for all his hard work, dedication and his commitment to serving students at Eisenhower High School.”

Nelson said receiving the award was one of the highlights of his career.

“I’m real honored to have been selected for this award,” Nelson said. “It’s nice to be recognized for what you’ve done in your career.”

Nelson knew at an early age that he wanted to pursue a career as a trainer. He began working as a trainer at his high school in Tampa, Florida and never looked back.

“I was lucky because I knew at an early age this is what I wanted to do,” Nelson said.

In addition to his 22 years at Eisenhower (he also served as a trainer at Port Arthur Jefferson for five years), he also worked for two years in the World Football League in Europe and for 15 years spent a portion of his summers working on the training staff of the Buffalo Bills during training camp.

During his summers with the Bills, he developed relationships with Hall of Fame quarterback Jim Kelly and a number of other Bills players.

“Jim used to let me tape him and he’d say, ‘Doc, now you can tell everybody in Houston you taped Jim Kelly,’” Nelson said, with a laugh. “I really learned a lot during those summers, but was always ready to get back home and get back to the kids and coaches at Eisenhower.”

Nelson said the profession has evolved over the years and he and his fellow trainers are constantly learning and keeping up with the latest trends in treating and caring for athletes.

“I like being there for the kids,” Nelson said. “That’s why I still come to work everyday. I’ve been lucky to work with a great group of coaches over the years. They’ve all trusted our word and have always known that the kids’ health comes first.”