Nield Gordon

Nield Philip “Coach” Gordon of Anderson, SC, died at age 91 on May 2, 2022, in his residence at The Legacy of Anderson, an independent living community he loved dearly. Born in Brunswick, Maryland, on November 17, 1930, to the late Russell Isaac and Maybelle Bingham Gordon, he is survived by his daughters Lucy (Henry) Barnett and Angela (Barry) Sullivan and their mother Susan Gordon; son-in-law Rick (Sherry) Moxley; grandchildren Leanna, Eric, Kevin, Jake (Brittany), Tessa (AJ), Anna, Jennifer, Jay, Allison (Wil), Ben, and Tara; cherished companion Bonnie Davis; siblings Brock (Carmen) Gordon and Suzie Gordon; and former wife Vanetta Gabel. He was predeceased by his eldest daughter, Kelly Moxley and sister Bobbie (Glenn) Goode.

Nield graduated from Brunswick High School in 1947 and led the basketball team to its first appearance in the Maryland State Championship. His college basketball career began at Wingate Junior College, where he was an All-American. From 1951-53, he was an All-Southern Conference player with the Paladins at Furman University. In 2002, his Furman jersey number 27 was retired and now hangs in Timmons Arena. After Furman, he was drafted by the New York Knicks but soon left to serve two years in the U.S. Army. Afterward, he traveled with the Philadelphia SPHAS team playing exhibition games against the Harlem Globetrotters.

Nield’s coaching career began at Belmont Abbey College in 1956. He returned to Furman as an assistant coach before landing a head coaching job at Newberry College from 1963-77. In the 1976-77 season, he led the most successful team in school history to a #1 ranking in the NAIA National Championship Tournament. The team finished the season with a 36-1 record and Nield was recognized as the NAIA National Coach of the Year. In 1977, he moved his family to Rock Hill and became the athletic director and first men’s basketball coach at Winthrop University, a former all-women’s school. Between 1977-86, he coached many successful teams and had players who received state and national recognition, helped plan the building of the Winthrop Coliseum, expanded the number of sports teams, and ushered Winthrop into the NCAA.

Over his basketball career as a player and coach, Nield received many prestigious awards and honors. He was a three-time NAIA Coach of the Year and was inducted into seven Halls of Fame, including the South Carolina Hall of Fame and NAIA Hall of Fame.

In 1956, Nield founded Camp Chatuga with Furman teammate and friend, Everette Pigg. Camp Chatuga began as an all-boys camp and eventually transitioned to a traditional coed summer camp. He directed the camp for over 30 summers before passing the reins to his three daughters. His support and advice continued over the following summers and the camp will be entering its 67th season this year.

After retiring from coaching, Nield stayed busy running basketball clinics in several countries, working as the Maintenance Director of the School District of Oconee County, serving as a substitute teacher, and volunteering to coach high school and church basketball. In addition, he co-founded and managed the Good Guys Golf Group. Nield always supported his grandchildren’s activities (even if it wasn’t basketball) and regularly attended Paladin basketball games. Every year, he looked forward to the annual Furman Alumni Oyster Roast where he would shuck upwards of four dozen oysters with his family. He even delivered Meals on Wheels to community members until two weeks before his death.

He will be remembered as a beloved father, grandfather, friend, and coach.

In lieu of flowers, donations in his name can be made to the Camp Chatuga Scholarship Fund, Newberry College designated for the naming rights to the court at MacLean Gymnasium, or any of the schools that meant so much to him.

A Celebration of Life honoring Coach Gordon will be held on Wednesday, May 11, at 2:00 p.m. at Mt. Airy Baptist Church, 210 Mt. Airy Church Road, Easley, SC.

 

Condolences may be expressed online by visiting www.sandiferfuneralhome.com.