File Photo
Nelson Welch is one of the most decorated athletes at Greer High School. He enters the prestigious Ring of Honor Friday night at halftime.
Clemson University
Nelson Welch photographed on Seniors Day at Clemson University with his parents Charlie and Nancy Welch.
“Any time you’re recognized at any level – high school or college – it’s such an honor,” Welch said. “There’s so many athletes to choose from and so many great players to come out of Greer, especially in all sports, not just football, I’m just humbled and honored.”
Welch, who graduated Greer in 1990, went on to an All-America career as a kicker at Clemson, where he was originally recruited as a defensive back. He left Clemson as its all-time leader in field goals (72) and was second in career scoring (301 points). He was also a teammate there of Greer football head coach Will Young.
After a redshirt season as a freshman, Welch was named all-ACC four times and was ranked among the top 15 in the nation in field goals per game in each of those seasons. He was inducted into Clemson’s hall of fame in 2007, but reflects on his time as a player at Greer as very special.
“I’m not ashamed to say it, but my best athletic memories were at Greer,” said Welch, who helped the Yellow Jackets to the 1989 Class 3A state football championship. “I had a great time at Clemson, it was a great place, and I was able to have some success there, but there’s something about playing for a community and with the guys you grew up with since kindergarten. That’s what puts the icing on the cake.”
While Welch also kicked for the Yellow Jackets, it was not his only job on the field. A former soccer player, Welch was a standout defensive back and also played wide receiver.
Listed at 5-8, 182 pounds at Clemson, Welch worked on his skills as a soccer-styled kicker and replaced the NFL-bound Chris Gardocki at the position.
In today’s game – even in high school – specialization is the norm.
“The soccer-style kicker was just coming into play in the 80’s,” Welch said. “I was probably one of the first in the area, a former soccer player who came out for football.”
Despite being more than 20 years removed from his Clemson career and more than 25 from his glory days as a Yellow Jacket, Welch remains closely involved in sports as a team sales specialist for Adidas America. Welch has been with Adidas for 18 years and outfits some familiar teams on game days.
Wofford, Presbyterian, Georgia Southern and The Citadel are among the athletic programs serviced by Welch.
“I like to call myself, really, an extension of the coaching staff,” he said. “I feel like I go recruit, and I win some, I lose some,” Welch said. “It’s fun. I get to see a lot of my buddies now that are coaching (including former high school and college teammates). I enjoy helping them get outfitted and help them look good on Friday nights.”
He and his wife, Kristen, have three children, Davis, Chas and Haley.
The Ring of Honor, established in 2003, includes Murray Hall, Jim Cox, Steve Greer, Steve Brown, Phil Clark, Steve Woodward, Luther Glenn, June Pruitt, Butch Miller, Jim Few, Stuart Holcombe, Steve Gibbs, Ralph Voyles, and Steve Satterfield.
The athletic Welch lettered five years in track as a sprinter and four years in football playing four positions – placekicker, punter, wide receiver and defensive back. He played in the Shrine Bowl and North-South game and East-West All American High School Classic in Reno, Nev. Welch owns the longest field goal at Greer, at 55 yards.
He was USA Today South Carolina Player of the Year his senior season.
Welch’s storied track career includes breaking Greer’s record in the 100 meters, 10.6 seconds. He finished second in the state in both the 100- and 200-meter runs and the 4 x 100 relay team with Welch participating, won the state championship state title.