Tim Nelson was part of arguably the best pair in Syracuse history. He and Brad Kotz led the Orange to a national championship in 1983, and national championship appearances the next two seasons. Had Nelson not suffered an injury early in the 1984 championship game against Johns Hopkins, SU might have had another title, and Nelson would have been higher on this list.
The former NC State transfer ranks third in NCAA history with 221 career assists, and eighth all-time in total points despite playing only three seasons. He earned first-team All-American honors each year, in 1983-1985, winning three Jack Turnbull Awards for the nation’s best attackman.
However, the most impressive aspect of Nelson’s National Lacrosse Hall of Fame resumé might have been his ability to share the spotlight with Kotz.
Nelson cemented himself as one of the greatest SU athletes of all time in a shortened career through a program that is largely built on local products. The outsider was accepted, and will always have a place on the Hill.
