After being with the college for nearly 15 years, Athletic Director Robert Nielson has announced his retirement from the position, effective at the end of July.
 
Nielson was hired as the Snow College Athletic Director in the fall of 2010 and has overseen the growth of the athletic department over the previous 15 years. When Nielson took over, Snow College had just five NJCAA-sanctioned sports. Nielson has seen that number balloon to a total of 14 sports, most recently the addition of men's and women's wrestling in 2022 and men's and women's cross country/track in 2024.
 
While much of Nielson's leadership has been visible in the public eye, his behind-the-scenes efforts have made a lasting impact on the Snow College community. Always an advocate for student and employee well-being, Nielson proposed and launched Buster's Pantry, a program that now serves hundreds of students facing food insecurity.
 
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Nielson led the college's COVID-19 Response Team. His strategic leadership enabled Snow College to remain one of the few institutions in the country offering in-person instruction during the height of the global crisis, prioritizing both safety and the student learning experience.
 
Nielson also led the effort to bring a major youth conference to the Ephraim Campus each summer, giving thousands of young people access to transformative experiences on campus. His commitment to individuals is reflected in the many testimonials from student-athletes, student leaders, and colleagues who credit his listening ear and steady guidance as instrumental to their success.
 
In addition to his role at Snow College, Nielson has also worn many hats within the NJCAA. He served as the Assistant Men's Director from 2012-2016 before being elevated to the NJCAA Men's Director until 2024. He then became the Senior Men's Administrator for the NJCAA in 2024. He has also served on the following committees during his career: Eligibility, Sports Governance, Appeals, Coaches Association, Board of Regents, and a member of the Division I Basketball and Football Committees.
 
Nielson not only oversaw an increase in the number of sports offered at Snow College, but he has also served an integral role in helping those teams compete with the best teams in the nation. Since 2010, Snow College has remodeled the weight room, added lights, new turf, and remodeled the locker room at the football field, remodeled the Horne Activity Center with a new basketball floor and bleachers, built dugouts and added padding to the outfield fence at the softball field and constructed one of the nicest soccer fields in the region. Additionally, the building of the Burgeson Athletic Center opened new doors for the progress and success of student-athletes.
 
While serving as the athletic director, Neilson also took over as the men's basketball head coach in the fall of 2012. He coached the team for 10 years before handing the reins to Andrew May in 2022. During his decade at the helm, he coached the Badgers to a 196-115 record and an 82-62 mark within the Scenic West Athletic Conference. He helped the team reach the national tournament for the first time in 70 years and secure a first-round victory in 2022 following a 26-8 season.
 
"My greatest accomplishment has been the ability to hire people who are better than me," Nielson said. "Then I let them do their job."
 
In addition to his athletic director and coaching duties, Nielson has served as the Vice President of External Affairs at Snow College, where he oversaw auxiliary services, including student housing, food services, the college stores, and the Sevier Valley Center on the Richfield campus. During this time, Auxiliary services have seen unprecedented growth and success. He attributes the great people who work in those areas for this success.
 
"My time here is highlighted by the people I have been able to associate with," Nielson said. "We have so many good coaches who have worked to build their programs. The success of our teams and our athletes, both in competition and in the classroom, is the real success we have had. Our staff in the department has been so good to work with. They are all focused on how we get things done and not concerned about who gets the credit, which has allowed us to achieve so many accomplishments."
 
Nielson started his collegiate career at Ricks College, where he graduated with an Associate of Arts degree and met his future wife, Kathy. They married after graduation and moved to Hawaii, where he continued his education and athletic career at BYU-Hawaii. Nielson graduated with a bachelor's degree in international business.

Nielson then moved to St. George, Utah, to start his coaching career at Dixie College (Utah Tech University). After three years at Dixie, he attended Utah State, where he earned a master's degree in physical education. He then returned to Hawaii, where he taught physical education and coached basketball.

For two years, Nielson worked on an Athletic Administration degree at the University of Iowa. He then returned for another two years of coaching at BYU-Hawaii.

For 11 years, Nielson was at Mt. Hood Community College, where he was an instructor, coach, and served as an administrator.

Nielson has traveled to New Zealand, Korea, China, Mexico, and Canada to put on coaching and player clinics. He has built relationships with colleges and other citizens everywhere he has been.
 
"The Snow College Athletic Department is in a position to continue to find national success with every team," Nielson said. "As athletes use the resources available to them, they will find success in their chosen sport, in the classroom, and in their future lives. My time as AD has seen record growth and success that is built on the many who have gone before, especially the coaches, players, administrators, and fans. The future of Snow College Athletics is bright. We have great coaches who value the individual. We have administrative support and leaders in the department who will take things to a new level. Go Badgers!"
 
"Rob brings a rare combination of strategic business insight and a genuine commitment to the people who make an organization thrive," Snow College President Stacee Y. McIff said.  "He is competent, competitive, and cares deeply about others.  As we've discussed his upcoming retirement and the transition of his responsibilities, one truth has become clear: Rob is truly irreplaceable.  He leaves behind a legacy that will continue to shape our future for years to come. We are sincerely grateful for all Rob has contributed. He will be missed, and we extend our best wishes to both him and Kathy as they begin retirement."
 
On July 15, 2025, it was announced that Karen Johnson would succeed Nielson as the Snow College Athletic Director beginning August 1.