Keith Nelsen, a 1986 NMU graduate and former Wildcat quarterback, recently established an endowed football scholarship. The Nelsen Football Scholarship will provide financial support for a student playing on the NMU football team (active roster) who is also a graduate of a Wisconsin high school. 

Nelsen earned a degree in finance while playing at NMU and later graduated from the University of Wisconsin Law School. A native of the Madison area, he now serves as vice president of operations and general counsel for Best Buy, headquartered in Minneapolis, Minn. Nelsen was inducted into the NMU Sports Hall of Fame in 2005. He is a lifetime member of the NMU Alumni Association and the Gridiron Society.

“We have a great program, with a strong history and great alumni," said Chris Ostrowsky, NMU head football coach. "Keith has stepped up and given his dollars in support and we thank him. He is a great Wildcat who clearly wants to see us forge ahead and rise up again.” 

Athletic Director Forrest Karr added, “Keith’s gift will free up resources that will be used to directly improve the current football program. We want to thank Keith and all donors who have come before him to create endowments and funds like the Nelsen Football Scholarship that give back to the programs for which they played.”