Ralph Nelson

Class of 1953 Ralph Nelson graduated from Ottawa High in 1952 where he was an outstanding student and athlete.

was a starter on the unbeaten 1952 squad and went on to play for the University of Illinois Fighting Illini. As a football player he achieved All-American status as a high school student. Ralph Nelson returned to Ottawa High as a teacher and coach, serving as a science teacher and as an assistant football coach during the “Novak era.” He later served as assistant principal, then as principal of OTHS from 1972-1978.

He returned to the classroom

after his tenure as an administrator and served as an unofficial mentor to many of the new teachers in the science and mathematics departments.