NEWBERRY, S.C. - The Newberry College Athletics Department and the men's basketball team are saddened to announce the passing of Newberry Athletics Hall of Fame member and former head coach Nield Gordon, who passed away on Tuesday, May 3.

Nield Gordon was one of the most influential coaches in Newberry College history, leading the Indians on the basketball court from 1963 to 1977, winning the district championship three times. He is the winningest basketball coach in Newberry College history.

During the 1969-70 season, his team averaged over 80 points per game and earned a 22-9 record. In 1976-77, Gordon coached one of the most successful teams in school history. The Indians went 36-1 that season and were ranked No. 1 in the country. His team scored nearly 90 points per game and defeated teams by an average margin of 16.3 points. Gordon was rewarded for his fantastic season with the NAIA National Coach of the Year award. Over 14 seasons, he finished within the top four in the district nine times.

Gordon led the Indians to the NAIA National Tournament in Kansas City for three straight seasons in 1975, 1976 and 1977. He was named the NAIA District Six Coach of the Year in 1976 and 1977. At the time of his induction, Gordon was the last Newberry men's basketball coach to take a team to the national tournament.

A Furman graduate, Gordon went on to start the men's basketball program at Winthrop University, compiling a 160-100 record with the Eagles from 1978 to 1986, which still stands as the winningest record in school history. At Winthrop, he also served as athletic director.

Gordon is also enshrined in the South Carolina Athletic Hall of Fame, the Winthrop Athletics Hall of Fame, the Wingate Sports Hall of Fame, the Furman Athletic Hall of Fame and the NAIA Hall of Fame.

Nield's celebration of life service will take place on Wednesday, May 11 at 2 p.m. in Powdersville, S.C. at Mt. Airy Baptist Church.