Friday, November 19, 2021

Part of a regular series.

Throughout the year, GNACsports.com uses this space to profile conference student-athletes who are members of their respective institutions’ Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC). In addition to providing feedback on the student-athlete experience, conference and institutional SAAC members also offer input on the rules, regulations and policies that affect student-athletes’ lives on NCAA member institution campuses.

Name: James Nelson
Sport: Men’s Basketball
Institution: Northwest Nazarene
Year: Senior
Major: History
Hometown: Salem, Utah

Why Did You Choose To Attend NNU?: I chose to attend NNU because I wanted something more than just an education and something more than just a basketball scholarship. I recognized that NNU is a place where transformational growth occurs, and I wanted to see myself fulfill my greatest potential.

What Is Your Favorite College Class And Why?: My favorite class ever has been my class on the Cold War between the United States and the Soviet Union. It was enjoyable to me because the Cold War is a story of good versus evil, democracy versus tyranny, all within the context of political maneuvering. I found the class fascinating.

Who Is Your Favorite Professor?: Professor Matt Millsap. Professor Millsap is from Arkansas, and proudly so at that. Because we don’t have that many history professors, he has to teach a lot of classes that normally one professor wouldn’t teach. I have always enjoyed his classes because he teaches with passion and enthusiasm.

What Have You Learned From Needing To Balance Athletics And Academics?: How to discipline myself and stick to a schedule.

What Is The Biggest Obstacle You Have Overcome During Your Collegiate Career?: Anxiety and back pain.

What Does It Mean To You To Be A Division II Student-Athlete?: It means that I have to work everyday to earn my scholarship.

Who Is Your Current Mentor?: (NNU Men’s Basketball Head Coach) Paul Rush.

What Are Your Future Goals After Graduating?: Run for political office.

What Advice Would You Have For An Incoming Freshman?: Drink lots of water.

What’s Your Favorite Sports Memory?: Going to the Sweet Sixteen in Colorado (with NNU in spring 2021).

If You Could Spend The Day With One Person, Who Would It Be?: Abraham Lincoln. He’s my favorite president.

Favorite Sports Team: Cleveland Browns

Favorite Athlete: Tom Brady

Extracurricular Activities: Campus politics, reading, exercising, watching movies.

What’s Something People Don’t Know About You?: I love to read.