People: Rex Nelson
REX NELSON: PISTONS' COMMUNITY ARM
The Palace of Auburn Hills, home of the Detroit Pistons, is not only a major sports and entertainment hub. It also sponsors a wide range of community programs, including a $10 million project to renovate 33 area parks through the Pistons-Palace Foundation. Spearheading all this activity is Rex K. Nelson, '83, vice president of community development and player programs for the Palace. 'We do all kinds of things,' says Nelson. 'I have a sales mentality, and what I do is to find out the players' needs and to make sure we help them in any way we can.' That help includes helping family members move, find jobs, and network in the community.
Rex recently organized receptions for the (Pistons) players to meet about 20 entrepreneurs, and another to meet presidents of six or seven foundations. 'The park program is a highlight because it doesn't just stop with the publicity,' explains Rex. 'Over six years or so, my staff will attend more than 500 community meetings and help the neighborhood people take over the programs. It's about empowerment.'
A native of Detroit, Rex chose MSU over the University of Michigan. 'I was sports editor at Cass Tech, so I was interested in both universities,' he explains. 'But I chose MSU because it has a better journalism and communications program.' During his first two years, he recalls, 'I joined the Air Force ROTC and was hustling at every moment, doing internships, and figuring out what I wanted to do. After that, I really enjoyed my experience on campus.'
Rex covered the Pistons for the campus radio station, leading to an internship in his senior year. Today he relishes working with the organization. 'When I left MSU, I wanted to conquer the world,' he says. 'I'm short of that. But the challenges here are tremendous. I can tell you I've never had a boring day in this job.'
