RENO - Returning to the Silver State that saw him grow from a skinny, tall lineman into a strong force and anchor of the Union, Fallon’s Harvey Dahl was back home on a weekend he won’t forget.
Dahl, a 2000 grad who started for four seasons at Nevada and later played eight years in the NFL, was inducted into the Nevada Athletics Hall of Fame Friday Night at the Reno Ballroom. One night later, Dahl and the rest of the 2016 class was honored during halftime of the Wolf Pack’s win over Buffalo.
“It feels great. It’s a great honor to able to come back and see the university thriving and building,” Dahl said. “It’s been a real fun weekend. It’s a great thing to be part of.”
Dahl helped paved the way for the Pack’s rushing game during his time, including protecting one of the top rushers in school history, Nevada Hall of Famer Chance Kretschmer. His work ethic and determination continued after he wasn’t drafted as he signed with San Francisco’s practice squad before making it big with Atlanta. Like with protecting Kretschmer, Dahl helped the Falcons by guarding current quarterback Matt Ryan and creating holes for running back Michael Turner during the team’s playoff runs. Dahl retired after the 2013 season, his third year with St. Louis.
But home still means Nevada for Dahl, who now resides in Santa Barbara, Calif..
“It bring back lot of memories of glory days,” he said. “It’s great to relive. It’s great to see friends and the relationships we had when I played and grew up with these guys. I will always miss (football), of course.”
Still a follower of the Nevada program – and the Greenwave – Dahl said he cherishes the friendships he created and maintained during his time in Reno.
“It’s tough to say,” Dahl said of his favorite memory with the Pack. “I think of the relationships. There are great buddies I’m still in contact with. They’re the best friends of the world and I see them all the time. The biggest take away is the friendships.”