Erica N. Nelson

Position: Director of Life Skills & Community Outreach

Erica is the Director of Life Skills and Community Outreach for the University of South Carolina Athletic Department. In this role she manages the Life Skills programs that are created to support the personal development of the student-athletes and prepare them for life after graduation. Erica also directs all the Department’s community outreach efforts and acts as the Advisor for the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC).

Prior to joining the staff in 2010, she worked in the Player Development Department for the National Basketball Association (NBA) in New York City. In this role she executed programming that supported the personal and professional development of NBA players, most notably the “Rookie Transition Program”, a program that educates incoming players about their newfound responsibilities as a professional athlete.

From 2000-05, Erica was the Sports Manager for NYC2012, the committee bidding to host the 2012 Olympic Games in New York City (eventually awarded to London). She began her career in sports as an intern at the Women’s Sports Foundation, founded by tennis legend, Billie Jean King.

Outside of her professional responsibilities, she also served for seven years on the National Board of Directors for WISE (Women in Sports and Events), a national networking organization for women working in the sports and events industries. In 2005 she was recognized by EBONY magazine as one of 30 “Leaders of the Future” age 30 and below.

Erica is a graduate of California State University, Dominguez Hills (Carson, CA), where she was a member of the basketball team. She then earned a Master’s degree in Sport Management from Slippery Rock University (Slippery Rock, PA) where she worked as a graduate assistant for the women’s basketball team.