For 32 yrs (1966-1998) Nelson Hardesty combined teaching and coaching at SHS, & hundreds of students benefited from his tireless work. While attending Ashland University he came to Shelby in the spring of 1966 to do student teaching – and was promptly hired after graduating. In classrooms he taught accounting, business record keeping, typing and driver’s training.
Outside the classroom, Mr. Hardesty served as head boys’ basketball coach for six years, head girls’ track coach for five years with an Northern Ohio League title in 1984, assistant boys’ track coach during the 1970s when the team won sectional titles three times, and assistant boys’ basketball coach 8thgrade through varsity for all 32 years with NOL varsity titles in 1992 and 1998.
Observes an alum, “Mr. Hardesty not only was an inspiration to me in the classroom but also as a coach. He emphasized giving your best on and off the field and was a great leader. The lessons I learned from him I still implement in my life today.” Mr. Hardesty lives in New Albany.
Nominator: Kim Burky ’84.
Richland County-Shelby Chapter, OGS 