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Niecee Nelson is entering her third season as an assistant coach at USD. Nelson's primary responsibilities with the Toreros include; point guard development, assisting with scouting of opponents, recruiting, academic support of the team. Nelson was promoted in the offseason an now is in charge of the team's academics, budget and team Equipment. Nelson also oversees team travel and student -athlete affairs.
During only her second season, she helped guide the Toreros to their biggest turn around in program history, a 12-game improvement from 9-19 in the 2005-06 season to a 21-9 record in 2006-07 season. Under Nelson's guidance, the Toreros placed three players on the All-WCC lists, including the WCC Co-Player of the Year Amanda Rego.
During her first year with the Toreros, Nelson worked closely with the development of the guards, helping to guide Tiara Harris to a first-team All-WCC selection and Kelly Winther being named to the All-WCC Freshman team. As the summer camps director, Nelson has seen a dramatic increase in the Toreros team camp enrollment in only her second season in directing the program.
In addition to working with the student athletes in honing their skills on the court, Nelson was integral in creating a monthly newsletter to promote the women's basketball program. This newsletter includes updated game statistics, conference standings, community service news and thoughts from the seniors on the season.
Nelson came to USD after spending one season at Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne (IPFW). While at IPFW Nelson's primary responsibilities were team travel, post player development, marketing and academic support. Within two months of arriving at IPFW, Nelson was promoted to recruiting coordinator leading the charge in overseas recruiting into Brazil and Europe. Nelson's marketing efforts helped increase attendance at the women's basketball games for the 2004-2005 season.
Prior to working at IPFW, she worked as a graduate assistant at the University of Wyoming with current USD head coach Cindy Fisher. Nelson worked closely with the staff and team on practice and game day coaching, individual workouts, academic support, film exchange, and guard and post development. She helped the Cowgirls culminate a 18-12 mark in 2002-03. The 18 wins were the school's most victories since 1989-90. She also helped lead the Cowgirls to their first postseason appearance since 1989-90 with a trip to the 2003 WNIT, where Wyoming notched a first-round win over Montana. The WNIT win over Montana marked the first postseason victory in Wyoming women's basketball history.
Nelson was a two-time NAIA All-American at Concordia University in Portland, Ore. She was also named to the Lutheran Brotherhood All-American Team, and was a scholar-athlete. Nelson was chosen as the Cascade Conference Freshman-of-the-year in her first year at Concordia.
Nelson graduated with a bachelor's degree in Elementary Education in 2002 from Concordia, and a master of science degree in kinesiology and health in 2004 from the University of Wyoming. She resides in San Diego with her husband Steve. The Nelson's are expecting their first baby in May of 2008.
