Lyon County athletes will have to pay to play

As a result of budget cuts, student athletes in Lyon County will have to pay a fee starting next year, officials said this week.

The participation fee will help the district defray transportation costs to and from athletic contests. The one-time fee will cover all the sports a student participates in for the entire school year.

The schools, which mainly affects Dayton, Fernley and Yerington high schools, will be encouraged to work with booster clubs and parent teacher organizations to set up scholarships for those in financial need, the school district said.

Also, the Nevada Interscholastic Athletic Association recommended to the state's school superintendents a 10 percent reduction in athletic contests in an effort to help meet budgetary constraints.

The downturn in the economy may deter some families' ability to pay for athletic fees and could affect the number participating in sports.

"Twelve years ago, before I moved here, we had it in Oregon and it was like $100 per sport," Dayton football coach Rick Walker said. "You could kind of see it coming. I can understand the economy right now, (but) I'm afraid of it chasing some kids away.

"I know the district's going to do everything possible to try to help kids who need help. I just don't know, when it comes down to it, where that money is going to come from."

Lyon County will implement the reduction for the next two years.

Parents should contact their school's athletic administrator or principal with questions.