Nield Gordon

Nield Philip Gordon (November 17, 1930 – May 2, 2022) was an American college basketball coach, administrator and player. He served as the athletic director and men's basketball head coach of the Winthrop Eagles where he was influential in the development of the sports programs at Winthrop University. Gordon played college basketball for the Furman Paladins and was selected in the second round of the 1953 NBA draft by the New York Knicks. He embarked on a coaching career instead of playing professional basketball and spent 30 years at the collegiate level.

College basketball career Gordon was born in Brunswick, Maryland, and attended Brunswick High School where he graduated in 1947. He started his college basketball playing career at Wingate Junior College (now Wingate University). He was an National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) all-conference selection in 1950 and 1951, and led the league in scoring during the 1950–51 season.

Coaching career Gordon was selected by the New York Knicks in the 1953 NBA draft. He served in the United States Army before starting his coaching career. He coached one of the most successful teams in school history during the 1976–77 season as he led the Indians to a 36–1 record and was selected as the NAIA Coach of the Year. Gordon guided to the team to 25 wins in their inaugural season.

After a brief retirement, Gordon returned to coaching at the high school level in Upstate South Carolina. Furman Athletics Hall of Fame in 1981, NAIA Hall of Fame in 1983, Wingate University Athletics Hall of Fame in 1986, Winthrop University Athletics Hall of Fame in 2005, and Newberry College Hall of Fame in 2009.

Death Gordon died on May 2, 2022, at The Legacy of Anderson independent living community in Anderson, South Carolina, aged 91.