Tate Nelson Receives Scholar-Athlete Recognition

Each year, the Min­nesota Football Hon­ors and the Minnesota Chapter of the Nation­al Football Foundation select just 35 players statewide as Schol­ar-Athlete Award win­ners and Honorable Mentions

The prestigious award honors high school football players who excel in athletics, academics, and com­munity service. This year, Tate Nelson of Two Harbors earned Honorable Mention, becoming the first known Agate football player to receive this recognition.

“We are incredibly proud to recognize the exceptional achieve­ments of our Schol­ar-Athlete award win­ners and Honorable Mention selections,” said Todd Fultz, Pres­ident of the Minnesota Chapter of the National Football Foundation. “Minnesota is home to a talented group of young people who ex­cel on the field, in the classroom, and in their communities. It is truly inspiring to read about each athlete’s accom­plishments, and we look forward to cele­brating their successes during this summer’s Minnesota Football Honors broadcast.”

Tom Nelson’s Let­ter of Recommenda­tion for Tate highlights him as a ‘model stu­dent-athlete through­out his career,’ noting his excellence on the field, in the classroom, and within his commu­nity.

Academically, Tate has been a member of the National Hon­or Society since his sophomore year and is well-regarded by teachers and peers for his strong sense of re­spect and empathy.

Outside of the class­room and off the field, Tate has logged more than 50 hours of com­munity service this year, bringing his total to over 200 hours since eighth grade. He has volunteered for vari­ous community events, including assisting with local moves, supporting older resi­dents, organizing Vet­erans Day dinners and services, working at youth camps, and help­ing with school events.

Tate also competes in basketball and track and field. He was a starter all four years of high school football, a two-year starter on the basketball team, and has set school records in track. As a sopho­more, he was crowned State Champion in the 100m and earned run­ner-up in the 200m and Long Jump.

An injury in his ju­nior year prevented Tate from defending his state champion­ships, but he’ll have another chance to com­pete this season.

The senior has earned a football scholarship to attend the University of Minnesota-Duluth and play for the Bull­dogs. Though recruited by several schools for multiple sports, Tate, according to his nom­ination, ‘followed his heart and achieved his dream of playing for the Bulldogs.’

By the time Tate graduates, he will have earned 12 varsity let­ters. He plans to pursue a degree in Civil Engi­neering. Congratulations to Tate Nelson on earning this well-deserved rec­ognition!