January 23, 2007 > Alma mater honors retired principal Alma mater honors retired principal Vance Nelson, Fremont resident and former principal of both Mission San Jose and Irvington High Schools, has been selected 2006 recipient of the Amos Alonzo Stagg award by his alma mater, University of the Pacific. Nelson will be honored at a luncheon Saturday, January 27 and then again at halftime of that evening's varsity basketball game against University of California, Santa Barbara. The public is invited to both events. According to a letter sent to Nelson, the award, named after UOP's legendary football coach, "honors Pacific alumni varsity letter winners who have gone on to lead lives of distinction ...notable examples of integrity, dedication, idealism and team spirit which Mr. Stagg personified and to which Pacific is dedicated. Since the awards inception in 1981, fifty-two individuals have been recognized." Tennis was the future principal's sport of choice in high school and college. At UOP, he played two years of varsity tennis, serving as team captain in 1956. Among numerous other professional activities, Nelson served as principal of Mission San Jose from 1970 - 1980. He then went on to a 10-year stint as principal of Irvington High School, 1980 - 1990. Thereafter, Nelson retired to pursue various community activities and regular rounds of golf at Castlewood Country Club. For more information, call (209) 946-3945. Amos Alonzo Stagg Award luncheon Saturday, Jan. 27; noon University of the Pacific Grace Covell Hall 3601 Pacific Avenue, Stockton (209) 946-3945