Media-Only Contact: MosesAlexander Greene, (202) 673-7684
(Washington, DC) -- Today, the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) announced that the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) recently named DPR staff member Sherman Nelson as the “2007 USOC Volunteer Coach of the Year”. When not fostering camaraderie among Taekwondo athletes or teaching youth competitors the importance of serving others, Nelson serves as the site manager of the Emery Recreation Center in Ward 4 in Northwest Washington.
“This is an amazing honor worth pausing to recognize,” said DPR Director Clark E. Ray. “Mr. Nelson’s contributions to the sport of Taekwondo and to the lives of youth throughout the country are only surpassed by his commitment and dedication to providing consistently outstanding programming to District residents at Emery.”
The USOC Awards were presented recently during the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Media Summit in Chicago, Illinois. Each year, 43 Olympic and Pan American sport organizations select their nominations for the National, Developmental, Volunteer and/or Paralympic Coaches of the Year as part of the USOC Coach of the Year Recognition Program. Five finalists are selected in each of the categories with the exception of Paralympics, which included three. Of the five finalists in his category, it was Nelson who walked away with the prestigious award.
According to Nelson, “Receiving this award has been one of the single, most humbling experiences of my life. It is a blessing to be recognized for your accomplishments and your service to others—especially when it is for one of your life’s great passions.”
“The Coach of the Year” program was initiated in 1996 with the mission of honoring the work and sacrifices that coaches make while helping athletes at all levels achieve their dreams,” said Cathy Sellers, manager of Coaching Services. “These are America's finest coaches. We are pleased to be able to recognize their contributions to America’s athletes and sporting organizations.”
Nelson, a Ward 4 resident, began his work with DPR in 1994. At that time, he, along with present DPR Aquatics Manager Harold Houston, III, started teaching Taekwondo to DPR youth. For the next seven years, over 250 District youth came through his classes, which produced 10 National Champions and 50 National Medal-Winners.
His distinctive athletic pedigree, which includes awards and recognitions for both coaching and competing in the sport of Taekwondo, is listed below:
Coaching
- 2007 - USOC National Volunteer Coach of the Year
- 2007 - USA Taekwondo Volunteer Coach of the Year
- 2005 - National Collegiate Taekwondo Association Coach of the Year
- 2005 - USA Taekwondo Coach of the Year
- 2005 – Present - US National Team Assistant Coach (Junior, Collegiate, and Senior)
- 2004 - US National Team Coach – Junior World Championships
- 2003 - US National Team Coach – Junior Pan American Championships
Competing
- 1999 - US National Team – World Championships (middleweight)
- 1993 - US Collegiate National Team (middleweight); 3 time Virginia State Champion; 4 time Maryland State Champion; 2 time DC State Champion
Mr. Nelson teaches Taekwondo on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at 6 pm at the Emery Recreation Center, 5701 Georgia Avenue, NW. For more information on how to enroll in his course, contact (202) 576-3211. To hear more about his outstanding recognition as the “2007 USOC Volunteer Coach of the Year”, visit the websites of USA Taekwondo at www.usa-taekwondo.us and the United States Olympic Committee at www.usoc.org.
About Sheman Nelson (USOC Tribute)
Sherman Nelson displays boundless enthusiasm and an ability to connect with young Taekwondo athletes. He teaches his athletes the importance of serving, and recognizing that they are fortunate to be able to train, travel, compete and enjoy life through Taekwondo. Because of this, Sherman tries to instill a responsibility to help those who are less fortunate. He volunteers his time doing any job given to him and acts as “cheer coordinator” for the various teams involved in international competitions. This gives the young athletes a sense of camaraderie and lends to the excitement of what is, for many, their first taste of being a member of a team representing the U.S.
In 2007, Nelson’s athletes recorded two bronze medals at the U.S. Nationals as well as two gold, one silver and a bronze medal at the U.S. Junior Olympics. His team earned three gold medals at the Junior Team Trials as well as two gold medals and a bronze medal at the Jr. Pan American Games.
About the Department of Parks and Recreation
The Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) presents quality urban recreation and leisure services to residents and visitors to the District of Columbia. The agency supervises and maintains area parks, community facilities, and neighborhood recreation centers as well as coordinates a wide variety of programs including sports leagues, youth development, therapeutic recreation, aquatic programming, outdoor adventure, camping, child care services, and senior citizen activities. Adaptive programs and facilities are available for persons with disabilities.