Douglas to finally get its track

By Darrell Moody

Appeal Sports Writer

Monday is the groundbreaking for the new all-weather track and all-weather football field at Douglas High School.

All I can say is that it was a long time in coming. The all-weather track is something that former coach Keith Cole had been raising funds for during my three-year tenure at the Record-Courier. It was like a second job for Çole.

The track at Douglas was a joke. After the first rain of the fall hit, it was like a quagmire out there, and it didn't get any better as the year went along. The school used to put pieces of wood lengthwise so that you could walk across the track to get to the football field in late October and November.

Hosting a track meet was out of the question. Now, with the new track being built, my best bet is that the school would be in line not only to host dual meets, but to put on regional and state meets.

Having an all-weather football field will certainly come in handy, especially in the latter stages of the season when the rain and snow comes.

And, speaking of all-weather tracks, when will the Carson High track get repaired. Apparently there is a bond issue set for this fall, and if it passes, presumably the school's track would be repaired.

It should be a given that every school has at least an all-weather track. The weather in Northern Nevada is horrid in February, March and well into April. School districts need to have proper facilities for their student-athletes.

The same can be said for swimming. Why don't Northern Nevada schools have their own swimming pools? Again, that should be a given.

SPRING FOOTBALL

Nevada begins spring football practice March 30 at 2:30 p.m., and Carson grad Nick Shine plus Douglas' duo of Andy McIntosh and Luke Rippee are expected to participate and hopefully do well enough to move up on the Pack's depth chart.

Rippee, who suffered a season-ending injury midway through last year, has been shifted back to safety, which is his natural position. He is expected to play a lot of special teams again this season.

McIntosh, a wide receiver, made his mark on special teams a year ago, earning several black jerseys for his outstanding weekly performances. He is hoping to move up to a second-team receiver. Coach Chris Ault has said several times that he likes McIntosh's work ethic and his hands.

Shine, like Rippee, played well on special teams a year ago. He'd love to get a chance to get some snaps at linebacker.

Scrimmages are scheduled for April 8 and 15 at approximately 10 a.m. The annual spring game is April 22.

SALUTE TO CHAMPIONS

The 11th annual Salute to Champions event, one of the big fund-raisers at the University of Nevada, is scheduled for April 13 at John Ascuaga's Nugget.

Ex-UCLA and current Olympic softball pitcher Lisa Fernandez is the guest speaker for the evening, which starts at 6 p.m., This is the premier event of Pack PAWS, a membership organization committed to promoting and advancing women in sports at Nevada. A dinner and silent auction are also being held.

Tickets are $125 per person, or $75 for youth 14 and under accompanied by an adult. Table sponsorships also are available.

For more information, call Heather Pennington at 784-4870 ext. 270.

GERVASONI TOURNAMENT

The second annual Mike Gervasoni Memorial Golf Tournament is scheduled for June 1 at Somersett Country Club in Reno.

Gervasoni, the late husband of Nevada head coach Kim Gervasoni, tragically died in an auto accident prior to the 2004-05 basketball season. He was a longtime high school and junior college coach in California before coming to Reno three years ago.

He also served as an assistant basketball coach at Nevada.

The entry fee is $200, which includes greens fee, a box lunch, a barbecue dinner and tee prizes. Hole sponsors and drawing prizes also are being sought as well as volunteers to staff the event.

For more information, call Nevada assistant basketball coach Amanda Levens at 784-6900 ext. 267 for more information.