By Dominic Scianna

From this day (April 26, 2024) forward, the gymnasium on 2345 S. Christiana Avenue at Farragut Career Academy will be named for legendary basketball coach and alumnus William “Wolf” Nelson, it was announced recently by school officials.

Nelson’s career as coach of the Admirals lasted 40 years before his retirement, and he also taught math at the school for 33 years where he continues to serve as a substitute teacher.

A large throng of well wishers and supporters from former players, friends, family members, and several Farragut administrators filled the newly dubbed William “Wolf” Nelson Gymnasium to honor their hero and mentor.

“During the CPL Boys Championship Game  (February 10 at University of Illinois, Chicago) I was honored by CPS and was totally blown away. It was one of those surreal experiences,” said Nelson. “I thought that was something – but today, to come back to my alma mater and have your school gym named after you, it made me feel so proud. I was a freshman at the school in 1974 when they built this gym, and to be here realizing I’ve done all that work (coaching and teaching) and been here half of my adult life is special.”

Each speaker at the ceremonial gymnasium naming raved about Nelson’s care for players and students alike, and how his main goal was to prepare them for life. That was the most important reason why their love for their mentor ran so deep.

“Wolf was like a father to me,” said first year Farragut boys head basketball coach, Emmanuel Little. “We always say, ‘We All We Got’ – and he was always there for us on and off the court. Now taking over this program I have very big shoes to fill, but it’s emotional and a glory thing for me because he’s still around and he’s showing me the ropes. It’s an honor to continue what he started and get Farragut back to where it used to be.”

Little acknowledged that he still bleeds blue and gold (the Admirals’ school colors) and that is never more evident than the pride that alumni feel when walking into the building. There are murals in the gym, glass cases of memorabilia in the foyer leading up to the gym, and annals of Chicagoland basketball history that describe the greatness of Nelson’s coaching prowess which led to 541 wins in his career.

Highlights of some of those victories include back to back CPL Red West Division Championships in 1994-95 and 1995-96 with Kevin Garnett and Ronnie Fields leading the charge for the Admirals, in addition to an Illinois High School Association (IHSA) downstate appearance in the ‘95 quarterfinals. And, as Coach Little intimated – don’t forget about his last IHSA team that went downstate in 2004 of which Little and teammate Ollie Bailey were members in leading Farragut to their most wins ever in a season to finish 29-3.

A video tribute from Garnett, one of Nelson’s proteges, who went on to star in the NBA as a World Champion with the Boston Celtics and reach the coveted Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, punctuated the evening. He gave great love and respect in his words to his former coach and proclaimed in his speech for all in attendance that this honor was “long overdue.”

“When we were planning this event the staff kept mentioning how many people were going to show up, and all these different classes were going to attend. I’ve worked in many historic buildings before but I was not prepared to see all the people that were here today,” said first-year Farragut principal, Virag Nanavati. “It really goes to show just how much of an impact Mr. Nelson had through four decades and generations of families that went through him, coached through him, and came to Farragut because of him. So, it’s really nice to honor a person that has built this school community to what it is today.”

In addition, Nelson’s academic presence has made a huge difference in the lives of the general student population at Farragut with academic achievement scholarships in his name, and his tutoring of so many individuals for SAT tests and math classes to go on to success in college.

A final icing on the cake for the ceremony came when Michael D. Rodriguez, Alderperson from the 22nd ward that encompasses the Little Village and North Lawndale communities, read a resolution of honor to Nelson from the City of Chicago and Mayor Brandon Johnson that saluted the night’s dedication and naming ceremonies.

“I’m looking at people here that have come to acknowledge me, some from out of town too, and it’s like a history lesson seeing all these familiar faces,” added Nelson. “It wasn’t just about basketball for me here at Farragut. It was about academics and athletics. I know math and I know basketball.”

Today, I got out of my car and saw a picture on the wall of me teaching in a jacket, and I asked (the administration) is that going to stay up there?”, laughed Nelson. “And they said yes it is coach. That picture makes me smile because it shows both sides of my career here.”

Photos by Jim Vincent/OSA