Grant Nelson
Pella, Iowa
Class of 2025
Why did you choose Central?
I chose Central because I loved the small college atmosphere and was from Pella so it was one of the first places I looked. I love the small class sizes and individualized education plans that guided me in the right direction for my future. I also knew I wanted to play football, and with grandparents, parents, and siblings all alumnis of Central, I knew Central athletics, especially football, have rich traditions of excellence, development of players into men, and winning cultures. So it was hard to look past Central once I had my eyes locked on it.
Favorite professor and why?
Dr. Katelin Valster? she was one of the first Kinesiology professors I interacted with, and took one of her classes Freshman year and loved the way she took time to ensure
every student had the material they needed to succeeded. I later asked her to be my academic advisor which allows me to meet with her throughout the year and discuss my future classes and making sure I have all the requirements to not only graduate Central, but set me up for success with graduate school after I graduate! Coming into Central I didn’t know exactly what I wanted to do, but Dr. Valster helped me explore my different options and paths I was able to take, and helped me carve a path for my future.
You’re majoring in kinesiology because?
I love learning how the human body works, and how each part works together that makes the body the efficient machine that it is. I want to go into chiropractic school, so Kinesiolgy major is setting me up for success while preparing for that!
Besides athletics, what else are you involved in on campus?
I’m involved in a bible study group, I run a small group at the local church with one of my teammates, and SAAC.
Who are your go-to musical artists?
- I love country music! Morgan Wallen, Bailey Zimmerman, and my guilty pleasure artist is Tate McRae…
How has attending Central and playing a sport impacted your life?
The most important thing I’ve gained from playing sports in college is it’s not only given me teammates and brothers over the 4 years that I’ve been here, but it’s given me my best friends for life, that’ll go beyond what we do on that field. I’m still in contact with seniors who were playing when I was a freshman, I’m living with guys I met on the first day of fall camp my freshman year. The bond we have created in these short 4 years has been tighter than I ever could’ve imagined when walking in that first day of freshmen year.
What is your favorite Central College tradition?
I immediately think of football and singing the fight song with the fans, home or away games after a win is one of the best feelings.
What is the best advice you have ever received from a coach?
I struggled with fear of failure, and sometimes still do in a lot of aspects. One of my coaches told me that if you fail at something, it’s just another stepping stone closer to success. They told me to know that failure is inevitable, and being able to learn from it is the way you fight that fear.
Who is the best tight end in the NFL?
Many people might lean toward Travis Kelce on this one, but I’m a big George Kittle fan. He is easily the most versatile TE, and the energy he brings on the field is unmatched, there nothing that man can’t do.
What does it mean to you to be a second generation Dutch player?
Believe it or not, I’m actually a 3rd generation Dutch player, as my Grandpa, Steve Bancroft, and my dad, Kyle Nelson both played for the Dutch. It honestly is one of the best feelings, knowing I’m apart of the same brotherhood that my grandpa and dad were both apart of, and seeing how the relationships and lives they built during and after their time at Central College makes me hopeful and excited for my future after I graduate. It’s
special when we get to share a lot of the same core memories and traditions that have lived on through all these years of Central Football.
Favorite TV Show
This is a tough one, depends what mood I am in… but would have to say New Girl…
Schmidt can’t be beat
What’s it like to play for Coach McMartin?
It’s an honor. Knowing the succes he has had in the past shows what he is doing and has been doing has worked, and knowing the plan he has in place is a specific one to steer this ship in the right direction. He truly cares about every player, and puts everyone in the position that gives them the bast chance to succeed. He also stresses the importance of being a student-athlete, gentleman, and man off the field. He knows the importance the our education, and how that will take us where we want to go in life, and the lessons we learn from football will than propel us to be proper men off the field and mold us into great husbands, leaders, friends, and coworkers once we leave this place.
What’s your favorite part about being a member of Central football
It’s all the little things. The walks out to practice with your buddies, the meetings in the middle of the day catching up with people, grinding practices out in the blazing heat and freezing cold, and of course playing the game you love with your best friends right beside you, knowing you are all working together to accomplish the same goal.
What do you hope to be doing 10 years from now?
Hopefully be a Doctor of Chiropractic and either running my own practice or working towards that goal! Don’t know where my end destination will be, but excited for the journey ahead.
15. Favorite food from Central Market
I mean if we all can’t agree on the Chicken Sandwhiches from the grill than we might have a problem… I think they’re the runaway favorite.
Bucket list
– golf related…
- Golf a course in every state
- Go to the Masters
