CCSN to consider adding athletics

Friday, May 1, 1998 | 8:50 a.m.

FALLON -- There's no unanimous agreement whether intercollegiate or intramural athletic programs should be started at the Community College of Southern Nevada. But most university officials favor a study.

"I love athletic programs," Richard Jarvis, chancellor of the University and Community College System of Nevada, said. "But I don't want to see any diversion" of money.

The issue for a study comes up for a final vote later today before the board of regents. Of those questioned, none opposed the study and some regents favor a program.

Regent Shelley Berkley of Las Vegas had the issue placed on the agenda.

She said the issue was raised five years ago "and I discounted it. I thought there were other issues more significant facing the community college."

And that time the controversy between UNLV President Bob Maxson and basketball coach Jerry Tarkanian was raging.

But Berkley has had a change of heart regarding sports at the junior college.

"These community people (supporters of athletics) have been quite persistent and recently I was approached again with what seemed to be a more solidified plan," she said. "I felt it was important enough to ask that the president of the community college (Richard Moore) investigate the issue and come back to the board."

Asked if the Legislature might vote in favor of athletics, Berkley said, "It depends on the cost factor.

"As you recall UNLV's program did not begin with state funding. It was funded by private donations and ultimately evolved into the program it is today.

"I suspect the same will happen at the community college. Rather than have this undercurrent of interest, we might as well bring this forward and have the president start addressing it," Berkley said.

Regent Nancy Price of North Las Vegas favors the study but she's against an intercollegiate athletic program at the community college. She said a study "might how the problems diverting money away from academic programs." And she wondered whether the community college would become a farm system for UNLV.

Price favors an intramural sports program.

"I suspect that if it starts that way there will be political pressure to do more," she said.

Regents Tom Wiesner of Las Vegas and James Eardley of Sparks both think it's a good idea.

"It will need a lot of help from the private sector," Wiesner said. "It will help in gender equity. It will give a lot more kids, both male and female, an opportunity."

The study, to be done by college faculty, students and community representatives, will be completed by Aug. 21 for presentation to the Sept. 24-25 regents' meeting in Las Vegas.