Board of Regents OKS study of community college athletics

FALLON -- In the past, the Legislature and the Board of Regents opposed starting athletic programs at the community college level.

And Senate Majority Leader William Raggio, R-Reno, continues to hold that view, saying community colleges were not created for this purpose.

"I take a dim view of this, even though it might be private funding," Raggio said Sunday.

The Board of Regents, however, voted unanimously Friday at its meeting in Fallon to study the possibility of intercollegiate or intramural athletics at the Community College of Southern Nevada.

Regent Shelley Berkley of Las Vegas said there is wide support in Southern Nevada, even from the faculty at the community college, to begin such a program. Other regents supported the idea but questioned where the money would come from. Initial plans call for private funding to support athletic teams at CCSN.

There were basketball teams at Truckee Meadows Community College in Reno and Great Basin Community College in Elko in the early days but they faded away.

Regents came before the Legislature in the 1970s saying they didn't support athletics. And the faculty also opposed the idea. Berkley said Friday the Faculty Senate at CCSN now supports the idea of sports.

Raggio flatly stated there is no money for athletics at community colleges. Even if the program is started with private money, Raggio said the state would probably be asked to finance the programs eventually.

"I don't think they (faculty) would want to give up merit pay to pay for this," Raggio said. "This is not the role of the community college. "This is not a junior college to develop athletes. This is a system to give educational opportunities to all.

"I think the public would take a dim view of this."

Raggio also chairs the Senate Finance Committee, where the program would have to be approved.

CCSN President Richard Moore said he hasn't taken a position on the sports issues. But he will appoint a committee of faculty, students and the community to do the study, which is due in August.

Chancellor Richard Jarvis said he would be surprised if the Legislature approved a sports program for community colleges.

"I love athletic programs," Jarvis said. "They promote school spirit. But I don't want to see any diversion of money away from academics."

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