Very troubled to hear this. I began my career at Duquesne in 1964 and graduated in '69 so was a huge follower of the Dukes and the Nelson twins. Sending condolences to Garry's family.

God rest his soul. Greatest one liner of all time .”I had a more difficult time with Bob Lanier rather then the 8 foot bear”

When I was a kid Id go out shoot hoops and pretend I was Garry Nelson.His loss was kind of emotional because of all the interest I had in the Dukes at that time.Thanks for all the good memories Garry.

I remember that star St B. center Bob Lanier identified Garry (and Barry too) as two hard knocking guys in the paint. It was high praise from a guy that tough.

I was in school with the Nelsons.
They were in Army ROTC.  They marched with the
the rest of the men, Wore suits. No uniform was big enough
for them. I asked them why they were in ROTC. Because of their
height they would be exempt. They replied for the easy A.
Before Towers, a cafeteria served the campus. My roommate told
me one of the Nelsons, it have been Garry, crashed his motorcycle into
a fence near the cafe. My roommate and several other guys watched and waited to see
what would happen. The Nelson got up, dusted himself off and asked 'Don't 
I get an applause?"
RIP Garry.
 

Econ69 wrote:

I was in school with the Nelsons.
They were in Army ROTC.  They marched with the
the rest of the men, Wore suits. No uniform was big enough
for them. I asked them why they were in ROTC. Because of their
height they would be exempt. They replied for the easy A.
Before Towers, a cafeteria served the campus. My roommate told
me one of the Nelsons, it have been Garry, crashed his motorcycle into
a fence near the cafe. My roommate and several other guys watched and waited to see
what would happen. The Nelson got up, dusted himself off and asked 'Don't 
I get an applause?"
RIP Garry.
 

Great story.  I'm a little too young to remember those guys but their legend grows with each passing year.  And how times have changed, right?  Can you imagine the implications today of David Dixon crashing his motorcycle near a school building?!?  Sportcenter, national debate about the state of college basketball, the calling for KD's job because he can't control his players etc.

Last edited by Styles1229 (6/08/2023 8:02 am)

PhoenixRising2 wrote:

Styles1229 wrote:

Econ69 wrote:

I was in school with the Nelsons.
They were in Army ROTC.  They marched with the
the rest of the men, Wore suits. No uniform was big enough
for them. I asked them why they were in ROTC. Because of their
height they would be exempt. They replied for the easy A.
Before Towers, a cafeteria served the campus. My roommate told
me one of the Nelsons, it have been Garry, crashed his motorcycle into
a fence near the cafe. My roommate and several other guys watched and waited to see
what would happen. The Nelson got up, dusted himself off and asked 'Don't 
I get an applause?"
RIP Garry.
 

Great story.  I'm a little too young to remember those guys but their legend grows with each passing year.  And how times have changed, right?  Can you imagine the implications today of David Dixon crashing his motorcycle near a school building?!?  Sportcenter, national debate about the state of college basketball, the calling for KD's job because he can't control his players etc.

And that same motorcycle ended up in the “repair garage” that was created in the common area on their floor in St. Martin’s. Took the motorcycle up the elevator.

If you only knew, Styles1229, if you only knew. RIP, Garry.

LOVE IT!  

For your consideration....

A Contribution may be made to The Garry A. Nelson Memorial Fund, supporting the Men's Basketball Program, by sending checks (with the fund name in the memo line) to Duquesne University, Administration Building, 600 Forbes Avenue, Room 406C, Pittsburgh, PA 15282.