Paying college athletes under the table has always been a dirty little secret, until now. I distinctly remember smiling a wry smile as a kid, when I heard the news that my hero, the greatest running back I ever saw, Hugh McElhenny, took a cut in pay when he went from the Washington Huskies to the San Francisco Forty Niners.

More recently, I remember talking with the great Arkansas basketball coach, Nolan Richardson aboard the Tahoe Queen one day, when he laughed and told me, “Oh, we love your Nevada transfers, because they already have their cars.”

Finally, last year, the NCAA agreed to start sharing broadcast revenues with their players. Bravo! But stay tuned, for now we are going to shoot for the moon…a degree in sports! Picture our academically meritorious point guard. Yes, this hoopster gets a scholarship, gets paid cash money, and gets a college degree for dribbling a basketball.

Personally, I kinda like the idea of awarding an athletic degree for playing a sport. 

I remember my older brother Tom, RIP, telling me about a conversation he once had with all-star catcher Johnny Bench…

“Johnny, do you ever regret never having attended college?”

“Yes Tom, I sometimes think about buying me a little college.”

There we go, if you can make enough money playing professional sports to buy yourself a small college, you can then award yourself an honorary degree, and hang it proudly on your wall at home for all to see…

Now I ask you, should playing sports become a college major? Should practice and competition be part of the curriculum? Is sports as much a portal to the human condition as music and art and drama? Let’s ask Nike!

In full disclosure, I was once offered a position with Nike, a company I admire still, but I turned it down when informed I would have to move from the Island of Maui to Beaverton, Oregon, where it rains, then stays up nights and rains. 

But Nike seems to approve of the possibilities of choosing a sport as a major, and why shouldn’t they? Those athletes wear shoes don’t they? And once those athletes are being paid cash money to compete, well, they will then have the money to buy their own shoes, and Nike will no longer have to give them their shoes.

Hey, let’s try it! We’ve come a long, long way from the day Jim Thorpe was stripped of his Olympic medals after it was discovered he was paid to play minor league baseball prior to the 1912 Olympics. The Olympic Committee would reinstate Thorpe as the winner of the decathlon and pentathlon 110 years later, just a tad late for Jim to savor…

As a former diver at Oregon whose audience consisted entirely of his immediate family, I am hardly qualified to judge the merits of awarding degrees for playing college sports. But most humbly I say, “Let the meritorious games begin!”

Audio: https://open.spotify.com/show/7Fhv4PrH1UuwlhbnTT23zO

Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort, Spa and Casino, a spacious year-round resort nestled in stunning natural beauty of North Lake Tahoe’s Sierra Nevada Mountains, announces a curated collection of activities for the 2025 Ski Week. Taking place from February 15 to February 22, the resort’s fun-filled schedule features everything from après ski yoga to stretch and recenter after a day on the slopes to a “Brews & Burns” woodburning workshop.

“We are thrilled to unveil a special schedule of activities for the 2025 Ski Week, designed to help travelers make the most of their ski getaway,” said Andrew DeLapp, Resort Manager at Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort, Spa and Casino. “With our premier location offering easy access to North Lake Tahoe’s incredible ski conditions, we provide the perfect snow-filled escape enhanced by a line-up of activities the entire family will enjoy.”

Highlights of the 2025 Ski Week schedule include:

• “Brews & Burns” Woodburning Workshop: Guests can participate in a hands-on woodburning workshop while sipping their favorite beverages – whether it’s a frosty beer for adults or non-alcoholic selections for younger participants. 
• “Moonlight in the Meadows” Snowshoe Experience: Guests will take in the breathtaking views of the serene winter wonderland under the enchanting glow of the night sky during this guided snowshoe adventure.
• “Foraged and Free” Beverage Class: Participants will learn the art of crafting flavorful, zero-proof beverages using locally foraged ingredients from the North Lake Tahoe area.

In addition to these signature events, the resort will offer additional snowshoe adventures suitable for all skill levels, a bounce house for children, and even après ski yoga sessions.

The festivities will culminate with the “Elemental Immersion” Community Unity event, the only event during ski week open to both resort guests and the local community. All proceeds from the event will benefit the Village Pet Foundation. This day of wellness and connection will feature classes led by local wellness experts including restorative breathwork sessions, an intention-based cold plunge into the crystal-clear waters of Lake Tahoe and a rejuvenating sound bath. Health-conscious snacks and refreshing mocktails crafted by the resort’s culinary team will also be provided. 

To help guests fully enjoy their snow-filled getaway, Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe offers complimentary guest shuttle service to and from Diamond Peak Ski Resort, a community-owned destination featuring miles of meticulously maintained trails with breathtaking views of the lake. The on-property Sport Shop located in the main lobby also provides equipment rentals and lift tickets for Diamond Peak ski resort. 

Reservations are required for all activities. For full activity details, please visit the following link: https://uqr.to/HyattAdventures

For more information or to book a getaway to Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe, please visit HyattRegencyLakeTahoe.com, or call (775) 832-1234.

About Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort, Spa and Casino

Situated among the towering peaks of the Sierra Nevada mountains, the award-winning Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort, Spa and Casino offers a premier destination based in the nature-infused setting of North Lake Tahoe. The resort is home to an on-site Adventure program offering daily guided activities to help guests explore the Tahoe outdoors with everything from group hikes and archery classes to meditation sessions. Guests can enjoy premium amenities such as a year-round heated lagoon-style pool, two hot tubs, and a 25,000 square-foot Grand Lodge Casino. The resort also boasts the 20,000 square-foot Stillwater Spa featuring a variety of relaxing massages, facials and body treatments as well as state-of-the-art touchless therapies including the Cryobuilt Cryochamber, “Pearl” a revolutionary float orb, and the “Harmony” bioacoustic mat. The property showcases premier dining opportunities at the brand-new Osteria Sierra offering elevated Italian cuisine, pub-style fare at Cutthroat’s Saloon, and grab-and-go selections at Tahoe Provisions. Additional culinary delights include afternoon tea service on the weekends and a selection world-class pastries created by the resort’s renowned team of pastry chefs. Recognized for excellence, the resort has garnered numerous awards including Travel + Leisure’s 500 Best Hotels in the World, Travel + Leisure’s World’s Best, Condé Nast Traveler’s Readers’ Choice Awards, Smart Meetings Smart Stars Awards, and U.S. News & World Report’s Best Hotel Awards.

Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort, Spa and Casino is located on the Nevada side of Lake Tahoe, at 111 Country Club Drive, Incline Village, NV, 89451. For more information, visit HyattRegencyLakeTahoe.com or follow the resort on Facebook or Instagram.

About Hyatt Regency hotels 

The Hyatt Regency brand is a global collection of hotels and resorts found in more than 200 locations in over 40 countries around the world. The depth and breadth of this diverse portfolio, from expansive resorts to urban city centers, is a testament to the brand’s evolutionary spirit. For more than 50 years, the Hyatt Regency brand has championed fresh perspectives and enriching experiences, while its forward-thinking philosophy provides guests with inviting spaces that bring people together and foster a spirit of community. As a hospitality original, Hyatt Regency hotels and resorts are founded on openness—our colleagues consistently serve with open minds and open hearts to deliver unforgettable celebrations, effortless relaxation and notable culinary experiences alongside expert meetings and technology-enabled collaboration. The brand prides itself on an everlasting reputation for insightful care—one that welcomes all people across all countries and cultures, generation after generation.
For more information, please visit hyatt.com

Originally Published in the Tahoe Daily Tribune, 2/12/2025, Written by Katelyn Welsh

KIRKWOOD, Calif. – The Natural Selection Tour is taking place at Kirkwood on Feb. 12-15, offering young athletes on the Kirkwood Freeride team a full circle glimpse at a potential future. For professional freeride athletes like those competing in the tour, their journey often starts at a young age on these home mountain teams.

“I certainly believe that our athletes will be inspired by this competition to continue pursuing their dreams in hopes of maybe competing in the Natural Selection Tour, or the Freeride World Tour, or the Olympics,” Kirkwood Freeride Team head coach, Garrett Wisniewski says.

The Natural Selection Tour (NST) event at Kirkwood is one of the tour’s DUELS happening around the world where two snowboarders complete head-to-head on natural terrain. However, unlike traditional freeride competitions, NST athletes incorporate jumps and maneuvers into their lines in a more trick-oriented big mountain competition, the likes of which are gaining momentum.

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Photo Credit: Garrett Wisniewski

Extension teams up with Bartley Ranch and Washoe County Regional Parks and Open Space to offer free classes

For those already getting that gardening itch, University of Nevada, Reno Extension is ready to help you dive in. Extension is kicking off its “Gardening in Nevada: The Bartley Ranch Series” weekly workshops in Reno to help both new and experienced gardeners hone their gardening skills. 

Led by Extension and their certified Master Gardeners and offered in partnership with Washoe County Regional Parks and Open Space, these classes are free and run 6 – 8 p.m., every Tuesday, Feb. 18 through April 1, at Bartley Ranch Regional Park, 6000 Bartley Ranch Road in Reno.

“From those who are just interested in growing houseplants to those with large gardens and landscapes, these classes are great for anyone who wants to learn from experienced Master Gardeners, who live, grow and harvest in our northern Nevada area,”  Rachel McClure, Master Gardener coordinator for Extension in Washoe County, said.

All classes are taught by certified Extension staff or Master Gardener volunteers. Classes are free, but the Master Gardeners ask those attending to consider bringing a canned food item for the Food Bank of Northern Nevada and to register online for each class they plan to attend. Classes include:

• Feb. 18: Houseplants – Master Gardener Abigail Jarrett will break down how different variables affect houseplants, and how to address common houseplant issues. 
• Feb. 25: Fire Adapted Landscape – Master Gardener Suzanne Arney will share how to apply defensible space principles and proven steps to improve personal safety and home survival during wildfire.  
• March 4: Pond/Water Gardening – Extension Master Gardener Coordinator Rachel McClure will discuss gardening with ponds and water features.   
• March 11: Plant Journaling, Getting Started – Master Gardener Diane Miniel will share the value of garden journaling and tips to help you along the way.
• March 18: The Cut Flower Garden – Master Gardener Deborah Henderson will discuss how to choose, grow and harvest plants for cut flowers, and will share tips on putting together bouquets.
• March 25: Successful Vegetable Gardening – Master Gardener Randy Robison will share his time-tested tips for successfully growing vegetables in our unique climate and conditions. 
• April 1: From This Year’s Flowers to Next Year’s Plants, All About Seeds – Master Gardeners Rod Haulenbeek and Mark Humphreys will talk all about successful gardening with seeds.

Those with questions about the Gardening in Nevada workshops should contact McClure at rmcclure@unr.edu. Persons planning to attend a session who may need special accommodations or assistance should contact Paul Lessick, civil rights and compliance coordinator, at plessick@unr.eduor 702-257-5577 at least five days prior to the scheduled event with their needs or for more information. 

Those with gardening questions may also contact the Master Gardeners at ExtensionWashoeMG@unr.edu or 775-784-4848, or visit the Master Gardener help desk at the Extension office in Reno at 4955 Energy Way, 10 a.m. – 2 pm., Tuesdays – Thursdays.

– @UNRExtension –

Photo Cutline: Extension Master Gardener Coordinator Rachel McClure and Master Gardener volunteers will be presenting free “Gardening in Nevada” workshops 6 – 8 p.m., Tuesdays through March, at Bartley Ranch Regional Park in Reno.

Extension is a unit of the University of Nevada, Reno’s College of Agriculture, Biotechnology & Natural Resources engaged in Nevada communities, presenting research-based knowledge to address critical community needs. It is a county-state-federal partnership providing practical education to people, businesses and communities. For more information on its programs, visit extension.unr.edu.

The University of Nevada, Reno is a public research university that is committed to the promise of a future powered by knowledge. Nevada’s land-grant university founded in 1874, the University serves 21,000 students. The University is a comprehensive, doctoral university, classified as an R1 institution with very high research activity by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. Additionally, it has attained the prestigious “Carnegie Engaged” classification, reflecting its student and institutional impact on civic engagement and service, fostered by extensive community and statewide collaborations. More than $800 million in advanced labs, residence halls and facilities has been invested on campus since 2009. It is home to the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine and Wolf Pack Athletics, maintains a statewide outreach mission and presence through programs such as the University of Nevada, Reno Extension, Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology, Small Business Development Center, Nevada Seismological Laboratory, and is part of the Nevada System of Higher Education. Through a commitment to world-improving research, student success and outreach benefiting the communities and businesses of Nevada, the University has impact across the state and around the world. For more information, visit www.unr.edu. 

Contact: Claudene Wharton
Senior Marketing & Communications Specialist
College of Agriculture, Biotechnology & Natural Resources
University of Nevada, Reno / MS 0405
Reno, Nevada 89557-0404
775-784-7072
whartonc@unr.edu

Originally Published in the Tahoe Daily Tribune, 2/11/2025, Written by Leah Carter

Incline Village General Improvement District (IVGID) board members met to approve the next steps in developing the Diamond Peak Snowflake Lodge, proceed with the implementation of a new district general counsel, and discuss a possible direction for the Incline Beach House and Access Projects.

IVGID voted unanimously to proceed with a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) to perform a needs assessment for the Diamond Peak Snowflake Lodge, and passed a motion to proceed with an RFQ for District General Counsel services. 

The motion to approve the RFQ for the Snowflake Lodge replacement project was passed 4/0. Former Acting General Manager Mike Bandelin opened the discussion with an overview of the staff report and background on the RFQ related to the needs assessment. Bandelin said that the replacement analysis is based on the 2015 Master Development plan, which determined that significant expansion would be needed to accommodate a deficiency in seating capacity in the lodge. 

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Photo by Diamond Peak

Originally Published in the Tahoe Daily Tribune, 2/10/25, Submitted

Key findings shed light on the current business environment and community needs

The results of a Lake Tahoe Basin-wide Business Walk Survey coordinated in October 2024 by the nonprofit Tahoe Prosperity Center in collaboration with 15 regional business associations, chambers of commerce, and local government partners are now available. The insights will be used to inform future initiatives and partnerships aimed at addressing the region’s challenges.

Over the course of three days, 64 volunteers canvassed 700 small businesses, generating responses from over 400 businesses through in-person and online surveys.

“The business walk survey provides insight into a specific ‘moment in time’ as it relates to how things are going in the regional economy,” said Heidi Hill Drum, Tahoe Prosperity Center executive director. “This snapshot of information can be very useful in understanding what is working or not working in the region, ultimately helping elected officials and leaders make informed decisions that impact local small businesses.”

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