Nelson to Transfer with a Full Ride to Southwest Minnesota State University
MONTEREY PARK, CA — East Los Angeles College football standout Dominique “Domo” Nelson will transfer in August with a full ride scholarship to Southwest Minnesota State University where he will major in criminal justice.
The Southwest Minnesota State University Football Twitter page says, “This Juco product is going to pave the way for a lot of offense!”
A scholar athlete and an ELAC Dean’s List recipient, Nelson graduated from ELAC with an associate degree in Administration of Justice.
“I am excited to continue to pursue my education at Southwest Minnesota State University and to earn my degree in Criminal Justice while getting to play football at the next level,” said Nelson. “I chose SMSU from other offers for many reasons. The coaching staff treated me like I was one of their own and the head coach contacted me often and instilled in me a good sense that I could call him anytime with questions.”
“And I love the cold weather,” said Nelson. “As a lineman, I’m told I can’t wear long sleeves even when it’s chilly on the field but playing in one of the coldest states in the country is something that I look forward to.”
Last season, football home games at Southwest Minnesota State University averaged almost 1,000 more people than its undergraduate enrollment. “I like playing in front of large crowds,” said Nelson. “We always had big crowds at Long Beach Poly High School football games.” Long Beach Poly drew crowds of 10,000 in their big games and is historically one of the top two high schools in the nation consistently producing the most NFL players.
“Dominique Nelson has dealt with perseverance beyond football,” said ELAC Director of Athletics and Head Football Coach Bobby Godinez. “Dealing with stuff outside of school and football is what’s going to drive him to be good in football at the next level. No doubt he’ll be successful.”
Nelson began playing community college football at Los Angeles Harbor College. “My living situation caused me to move close to ELAC and when I transferred here it felt like I was finally home.”
“It worked out for the best for me, said Nelson. “I got to work with a fantastic football program at ELAC with incredible staff,” said Nelson. “Coach Godinez and his coaching staff do great things for community college football players on and off the field, which the football transfers, including myself, are good examples.”
He says this past season on the Huskies football team was memorable. “We won our last five games when everyone thought we were out of it,” said Nelson.
Nelson had big plays that are memorable to Husky fans. “During a scrimmage against Mt. San Antonio College, I had about four pancakes,” said Nelson. “A Mt. SAC guy was heading towards me on a kickoff return and I hit him so hard that the whole crowd went crazy.”
Nelson began his college studies with a high GPA that earned him an Academic Certificate at Harbor College. At Long Beach Poly, Nelson received the Long Beach School District Male Academy Memorabilia Award for being a responsible, productive citizen in a diverse and competitive world.
At ELAC, Academic Advisor Dorothy Teola helped Nelson put together a curriculum that kept him on track to graduate and prepare him for transfer to a four-year university. “If it wasn’t for her, I probably wouldn’t have my AA degree,” said Nelson. “She did an amazing job with me as well as with my teammates.”
“When I graduate from SMSU, I will have options in making final future decisions,” said Nelson. "My degree could get me a job in the field of criminal justice but I’ve also had a lifelong dream of becoming a fireman. I could return to ELAC to complete the Fire Technology Program and earn a Fire Tech certificate. If I do, I could pursue work as a firefighter anywhere in the country,” said Nelson.
Follow ELAC Athletics at http://athletics.elac.edu/landing/index or on Facebook at ELAC Huskies Athletics (@elachuskiesathletics).
submitted by Tadzio Garcia