Philadelphia, Pa. – (5/11/2026) – On Saturday, May 9, at Philadelphia's Cannstatter Volksfest-Verein, Gwynedd Mercy University Head Women's Soccer Coach
Michael Nelms was one of 10 honored as part of the
Southeastern Pennsylvania Association (SEPA) Soccer Hall of Fame Class of 2026. The SEP Soccer Hall of Fame Class of 2026 also included; Anne Marie Brennan-Anastasi, Fran Ceneviva, Anthony Deneile, Ryan Haney, Barry Harvey, Fred Litinowic, Brad Sorkin, Stan Startzell, and Cathy Stilly Paz.
Also honored were the 2026 SEPA High School Soccer Award Winners;
Tom Paton Award (Female Player of the Year): Lena Malray, MAST HS,
Bill Peterman Award (Male Player of the Year): Chris Swanson, Roman Catholic,
Charlotte Moran Award (Coach of the Year, Female Team): Shawn Wimsey, St. Hubert,
John (Jukey) Nanoski Award (Coach of the Year, Male Team): Randy Garber, Abington,
Ned Potts Award (Club of the Year): Huntingdon Valley AA,
Harry Rodgers Award (Referee of the Year): Jason Hackett,
Nick Cinquanto Award (Young Referee of the Year): Branden Otto,
Paul Stilley Award (Little Club Administrator of the Year): Brendan Gallagher, Glenside Celtic SC,
Chick Fallon Award (Service to Soccer): Dan Singleton
Michael Nelms earned his bachelor's degree in 1994 after competing as a member of the Holy Family University's National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division II men's soccer program. He later added a master's degree in education from Temple University while remaining connected to the Holy Family University men's soccer program as an assistant coach. Coach Nelms helped the Tigers to their first-ever NCAA DII Championship Tournament in 2007 and later took on assistant coaching duties at Father Judge High School and a head coaching role with the girls' team at Upper Dublin High School. He also coached at Council Rock Soccer Club where his Gunners Elite team was a finalists in the 2014 State Cup.
Nelms was named Gwynedd Mercy University's head women's soccer coach in June of 2021. A longtime assistant for the men's program, Nelms joined – 2024 SEPA Soccer Hall of Famer - Head Coach Dave Bontempo's staff in 2014 and helped the Griffins reach the Colonial States Athletic Conference (CSAC) postseason for the first time since 2011.
Under Coach Nelms, the Gwynedd Mercy University women's soccer team has seen marked improvement. He and his staff garnered the Atlantic East Conference (AEC) Women's Soccer Coaching Staff of the Year award in 2023 and in 2025, the directed a roster of experienced returners and emerging contributors through a challenging schedule while maintaining a strong team-first culture. The Griffins secured the #5 seed for the 2025 AEC Women's Soccer Championship Tournament and delivered a postseason run that included a quarterfinal victory over #4 Pratt Institute (W, 4-2 on Nov. 1), a semifinal win over the powerhouse #1 Marywood University (W, 1-0 on Nov. 4), and an AEC Women's Soccer Championship appearance opposite #2 Marymount University (L, 4-0 on Nov. 8).
Nelms has been a master level science teacher at Sandy Run Middle School since 1999. Raising a family, coaching, and teaching are his passions in life. Coach Nelms brings decades of experience, energy, and commitment for excellence to the program; he preaches that the greatest accomplishments from the game of soccer are not wins and losses but the relationships developed throughout the years with other coaches, former players, and referees.
More information about the
SEPA Soccer Hall of Fame and future inductions is available using the provided links.
