Graceland Announces Fenton Nelsen as New Rodeo Coach

One year into launching its first-ever rodeo program, Graceland University announced the hiring of new coach Fenton Nelsen as head rodeo coach for the 2020-21 season. Nelsen was most recently the head coach at Northeast Community College in Norfolk, Neb.

"We are thrilled to welcome Fenton to the Yellowjacket family," said Brady McKillip, Graceland University Athletic Director. "He brings years of experience and has competed at an extremely high level."

Nelsen has competed in rodeo at the high school, collegiate and professional level, earning a multitude of awards and accolades. During high school, he was a three-time Iowa High School Rodeo State Champion and was named All-around Cowboy. He went on to compete at Missouri Valley College when he was a four-time Collegiate National Finals qualifier in two different rodeo events, finishing in the top ten twice. After graduating with his degree in agribusiness, Nelsen has competed as a part of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) and was named PRCA's Great Lakes Circuit Rookie of the Year in 2017.

"Getting the opportunity to help create a rodeo team is a great honor," Nelsen said. "I am excited to be a part of the Yellowjacket team."

Graceland will begin competing in rodeo competitions in the fall of 2020 in the Great Plains region of the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association (NIRA).