When a group of youths and representatives of various youth leagues came before the Fernley City Council last month to advocate for new sports facilities and improvements to the ones the city has, one of the things they focused on was that with improved facilities, they would be able to host major tournaments and events.
The same was said when plans were approved a couple of years ago to build a new gym at Fernley High School.
Several years ago, the Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association Executive Director Donnie Nelson told me that they have trouble finding schools that are willing to host postseason tournaments. Although it seems counterintuitive, some of the schools with the nicest facilities are among the ones who don’t want to host.
I’m not even privy to all of the tasks that go into hosting a postseason tournament, but I know it’s a lot, and I know it means a lot of extra hours for administrators and staff.
A few years ago I asked a coach about getting to play in a tournament on his home court, thinking he was going to be happy to have a home court advantage. Instead, he bemoaned all the things he had to do that took him away from preparing his team and said he would rather just be able to show up, coach his team, and leave.
All of that means that as long as Fernley has the facilities, like the new high school gym, it will continue to have opportunities to host NIAA postseason events. With a seating capacity right up there with any of Northern Nevada’s high schools, and the rest of the amenities Fernley’s gym has, I expect it to become a popular postseason venue.
The gym has already hosted last year’s Northern 3A Regional basketball tournament and the 1A and 3A State volleyball tournaments last fall. Those tournaments received good reviews, but State basketball is the NIAA’s showcase event because of the number of teams involved and the crowds it draws.
Having teams and fans from five different Nevada communities scattered all over the state coming to town this weekend also gives Fernley the city a chance to make an impression.
Even though this weekend is a high school tournament, I’m sure the leaders of Fernley’s youth sports will be watching closely to see how Fernley is received as a host, and what they may learn for when they have the opportunity to host.
For the people looking beyond what is and toward what is possible, this weekend is a chance for Fernley to show out.
Comment
Comments