Iowa City Photojournalist Matt Nelson has worked for KCRG-TV since September 2003. He is a Wartburg College graduate and interned in TV9 Sports in Summer 2002.
During his time at KCRG Matt’s work has been recognized 50 times by state, regional and national media organizations including four Upper Midwest Emmys for Sports Photography. While much of his work is behind the scenes, he is regularly seen on TV9’s “Friday Night Lights” and has reported on-air from other sporting events such as the Outback Bowl.
Matt is what you call a “Ballpark Nerd” or “Ballpark Chaser.” He grew up going to Midwest League games in Waterloo when the Diamonds were still around. Having been to games at 33 different Major League Ballparks (7 of them are no longer in use) and more than 50 different Minor League Ballparks, he knows what makes them unique! His favorite old MLB park is Fenway Park in Boston. His favorites of the new wave are PNC Park in Pittsburgh and AT&T Park in San Francisco (it’s a tie!).
At the minor league level of the 24 he’s been to, he says the best park is Riverwalk Stadium in Montgomery, Alabama (Home of the Biscuits!). His favorite Minor League experience was at Elizabethton, Tennessee. He’s likely biased on that one, being a big Twins fan and knowing that Puckett, Hrbek, Mauer and Morneau all played in E-Town.
Matt lives in Coralville with his wife, their daughter, and their dog. He is a member of the National Press Photographers Association (NPPA) and the Society for American Baseball Research (SABR).
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