Schools to decide tourney changes

Spencer Patterson

Friday, Nov. 27, 1998 | 10:51 a.m.

No longer the annual site of the state's high school football championships, Las Vegas may soon find itself the permanent host of the Nevada 4A baseball and softball tournaments.

During the next four months, administrators and coaches from around the state will choose one of two proposals determining where the annual boys and girls basketball, baseball and softball events will be held, said Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association (NIAA) Executive Director Jerry Hughes.

Under one plan, the 1A, 2A, 3A and 4A basketball tournaments would remain at Reno's Lawlor Events Center, those events' home throughout the 1990s.

If that happens, the 4A baseball tournament likely would be played annually at UNLV's Wilson Stadium, with the 4A softball tournament moving permanently to a local site, possibly Henderson's Sunset Park. The 1A, 2A and 3A baseball and softball events would relocate to Mesquite's Sports Complex.

Under the other proposal, all state tournaments would rotate annually between sites in Northern and Southern Nevada. Lawlor would continue to be home to basketball in even years, with Las Vegas-area high schools hosting the event in odd years.

Hughes said he is submitting a survey to all schools to determine which proposal has more support. Whichever plan is adopted, changes won't take place until the 2000-2001 school year.

For the past 10 years, Las Vegas has been the permanent host for all state football games, with Reno hosting all state basketball contests.

UNLV's decision to put grass in Sam Boyd Stadium will prohibit playing for four football games in the same day, however, forcing the NIAA to consider changes.

"It's disappointing because football has been one of our best events," Hughes said. "It's unfortunate, but you have to move on."

For now, the 4A football championship will alternate between Reno and Las Vegas, with the north hosting the event next year. The site of the 1A, 2A and 3A games will be determined by the teams playing in the finals.

Tidbits

Bishop Gorman Athletic Director Norm Craft and former Chaparral football coach Bobby Johnson have been inducted into the Southern Nevada Football Coaches Hall of Fame.

Craft, who served as football coach at Rancho from 1960 to 1967, has worked in the Clark County School District for the better part of 35 years. He came out of retirement this year to serve as the Gaels' athletic director.

Johnson coached in town for 25 years, compiling a record of 158-85. He took the Cowboys to the playoffs eight times in 11 years and was selected Coach of the Year in 1975 and 1990...

Boulder City 6-3 center Kara Lundgaard has signed a letter of intent to play basketball at Southern Utah University next year.