Todd Nelson, who has served as assistant director of the New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) for the past 16 years, has been selected as the NFHS Citation Award honoree by the National Federation of State High School Associations. Congrats, Todd!

His primary responsibilities include overseeing safety and research, sportsmanship, classification of schools, sanctioning, professional development, rule book publications, handbook updates, eligibility interpretations, championship program content, and the wrestling weight certification program.

Nelson is also currently leading the implementation of girls’ flag football and girls’ wrestling as championship sports for the NYSPHSAA, and he also oversees cheerleading.

Nelson’s main focus and passion, however, is Unified Sports. In his 16 years as assistant director, Nelson has worked closely with Special Olympics in New York. Nelson’s diligent work has made Unified Sports part of more than 300 NYSPHSAA member schools. Due to his work with Special Olympics, Nelson obtained a master’s degree (physical education with a concentration in adapted PE) from the State University of New York (SUNY)-Cortland. He also obtained a NYS Certification in school administration.

Before his time with the NYSPHSAA, Nelson was an athletic administrator for the Waterville, New Hartford, and Herkimer Central School Districts for 14 years. He has also been the boy’s vice president of NYSPHSAA Section III for over five years.