University of Minnesota Athletics
Five Minutes with Kyle Nelson
4/16/2020 10:30:00 AM | Women's Hockey
Get to know the coaches and staff members who support the Gopher women's hockey program.
MINNEAPOLIS -- From the coaching staff to the support staff, the Gopher women's hockey team has a knowledgeable, passionate group of people dedicated to supporting its student-athletes both on and off the ice. Get to know the people behind the program who support the Gophers in their athletic and academic endeavors, this week featuring student-athlete academic counselor Kyle Nelson.
Gopher Sports: When did you start working at the University of Minnesota?
Kyle Nelson: I started working at the University of Minnesota in 2016 and have been working with the Gopher women's hockey team for one year.
GS: What's your alma mater and what did you study in college?
KN: Augustana College (IL) - Mathematics & Finance; Northwestern - Masters in Sport Administration
GS: What does your job entail?
KN: My job consists of working with student-athletes to develop an individualized plan to create an environment for them to best succeed academically and athletically.
GS: How did you get into your field?
KN: I was coaching small college basketball for two years and was looking for something different. I spent time meeting with people in the industry, and this field combined multiple areas of which I am passionate about.
GS: How did you get into your current position at the University of Minnesota?
KN: I had a post-graduate internship here and was fortunate to turn it into a full-time position!
GS: What is your favorite part about your job?
KN: Interacting with the student-athletes on a daily basis. I had an unbelievable student-athlete experience myself, and being able to put my efforts into helping to create positive athletic and educational experiences for our student-athletes is a rewarding part of this job.
GS: What is your proudest moment in your professional career?
KN: Earning my first professional contract overseas.
GS: Did you ever play hockey? What's your hockey/athletic background?
KN: Sadly, no, I never really could figure out how to stop when skating, which I feel is quite important. But I did play basketball and soccer growing up. I had way more success in basketball.
GS: What is your favorite memory in your time working with Gopher women's hockey?
KN: I haven't been working with the program long but going to the games this season at Ridder Arena have been my favorite memories. This program recruits and attracts the top student-athletes, and it is a joy to work with them on a daily basis and watch their success on the ice.
GS: If you could trade jobs with anyone in Gopher Athletics for a day, who would it be and why?
KN: Athletic Communications. I think it would be fun to get to write interesting features on our student-athletes and their backgrounds.
GS: What is your favorite sport or team (pro or college) to watch?
KN: Obviously the Gophers!
GS: What are your hobbies? What do you like to do in your free time?
KN: I play a lot of basketball in my free time, and I enjoy cooking. My fiance and I also enjoy going out to new restaurants and breweries in the Twin City area!
GS: Name something that people would be surprised to learn about you/something not many people know about you.
KN: I played professional basketball in Europe for three years after college in Latvia, Republic of Georgia, and Romania.
GS: Fill in the blank: If I wasn't working in the Lindahl Academic Center, I would ________________.
KN: If I wasn't working in the Lindahl Academic Center, I would be teaching math in high school.
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Gopher Sports: When did you start working at the University of Minnesota?
Kyle Nelson: I started working at the University of Minnesota in 2016 and have been working with the Gopher women's hockey team for one year.
GS: What's your alma mater and what did you study in college?
KN: Augustana College (IL) - Mathematics & Finance; Northwestern - Masters in Sport Administration
GS: What does your job entail?
KN: My job consists of working with student-athletes to develop an individualized plan to create an environment for them to best succeed academically and athletically.
GS: How did you get into your field?
KN: I was coaching small college basketball for two years and was looking for something different. I spent time meeting with people in the industry, and this field combined multiple areas of which I am passionate about.
GS: How did you get into your current position at the University of Minnesota?
KN: I had a post-graduate internship here and was fortunate to turn it into a full-time position!
GS: What is your favorite part about your job?
KN: Interacting with the student-athletes on a daily basis. I had an unbelievable student-athlete experience myself, and being able to put my efforts into helping to create positive athletic and educational experiences for our student-athletes is a rewarding part of this job.
GS: What is your proudest moment in your professional career?
KN: Earning my first professional contract overseas.
GS: Did you ever play hockey? What's your hockey/athletic background?
KN: Sadly, no, I never really could figure out how to stop when skating, which I feel is quite important. But I did play basketball and soccer growing up. I had way more success in basketball.
GS: What is your favorite memory in your time working with Gopher women's hockey?
KN: I haven't been working with the program long but going to the games this season at Ridder Arena have been my favorite memories. This program recruits and attracts the top student-athletes, and it is a joy to work with them on a daily basis and watch their success on the ice.
GS: If you could trade jobs with anyone in Gopher Athletics for a day, who would it be and why?
KN: Athletic Communications. I think it would be fun to get to write interesting features on our student-athletes and their backgrounds.
GS: What is your favorite sport or team (pro or college) to watch?
KN: Obviously the Gophers!
GS: What are your hobbies? What do you like to do in your free time?
KN: I play a lot of basketball in my free time, and I enjoy cooking. My fiance and I also enjoy going out to new restaurants and breweries in the Twin City area!
GS: Name something that people would be surprised to learn about you/something not many people know about you.
KN: I played professional basketball in Europe for three years after college in Latvia, Republic of Georgia, and Romania.
GS: Fill in the blank: If I wasn't working in the Lindahl Academic Center, I would ________________.
KN: If I wasn't working in the Lindahl Academic Center, I would be teaching math in high school.
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