| Home of the North Pole Patriots Football Team |
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| Buck was born in Two Harbors, Minnesota, on August 29, 1941 to Harold and Violet Nystrom. He dreamed of living in Alaska where he could pursue his favorite pastimes - hunting, fishing, and trapping. In 1965, Buck began teaching 5th grade at Pennell Elementary. The following year he transferred to Taylor Junior High School where he taught social studies and coached junior high school basketball. In 1971, he married Barbara, who had also come to Alaska to teach. In 1972, Buck became the Eielson coached at Eielson leading the "small, but mighty and proud" Ravens to a large schools State Championship in 1992. Buck left Eielson, in 1998 for health reasons and retired from the Fairbanks North Star Borough School District after 35 years of service. In 2000, Buck and Barbara moved to North Pole from Salcha where they had lived for 28 years. That same year Buck was hired as Head Football Coach for the North Pole Patriots. Four years later he led the North Pole Patriots to the 2004 State Championship. Buck had two passions in life - the outdoors and football. As a consummate outdoors man who loved the challenges of his trap lines, hunting, and fishing, he drew physical and spiritual strength from the wilderness. His respect for nature and the love of adventure kept him returning to the glorious snow-covered trails and pristine lakes and rivers each year. He had an extensive "coffee group" and he enjoyed sharing humorous and outdoor adventure stories with them. His quirky sense of humor and willingness to accept others as they were made him a popular and sought-after member of various groups and organizations. He earned the titles of "Alaska's All-Time Winningest Football Coach" with a 152-88 record and "Alaska's High School Coach of the Year." He was presented with a "Champions Award" at the Football Hall of Fame in Canton. He was honored by the city of North Pole with an official proclamation: "Coach Buck Nystrom Day." You can make donations to the Coach Nystrom Memorial Scholarship Fund by sending money to Mt. McKinley Bank in North Pole, Alaska, in care of the Coach Nystrom Memorial Scholarship Fund. The address is: 45 Saint Nicholas Drive North Pole, Alaska 99705-7752 907) 488-3761 |
| This page is dedicated to the memory of the late Coach David "Buck" Nystrom. (1941- 2006 ) |
| "Be on Time, Play Hard, Do What'sRight!" ~ Coach Buck Nystrom |