BRITTON – Britton-Hecla girls’ basketball coach Terry Nelson is the first recipient of the Larry Luitjens Coach of Influence Award.

Luitjens, a legendary boys’ basketball coach who won multiple state championships at De Smet and later at Custer, is originally from Britton. He won 748 games, the most for any boys’ basketball coach in state history. He passed away in 2023.

Nelson said the award is especially meaningful because he got to know Luitjens many years ago during the Lakota Nation Invitational in Rapid City when Luitjens was coaching Custer and Nelson was coaching Cheyenne-Eagle Butte.

“I know Larry pretty good, because I competed against him,” Nelson said. “When he was part of the Lakota Nation, I was part of it, too.”

Nelson, who has coached a multiple sports through the years at various locations, got out of coaching eight years ago. However, he returned to the sidelines two years ago.

“I missed what was going on,” Nelson said. “It was driving me nuts.”

Nelson, who has won numerous coaching awards and is a member of a hall of fame, said the Luitjens coaching award is special

“It ranks pretty high,” Nelson said.

He will received the award during halftime of the first semifinal game at the State A Girls’ Basketball Tournament on Friday, March 8 in Brookings.

One boys’ basketball coach will also received the Luitjens coaching award. The winner has not yet been announced.