Native Sparks resident Wayne A. Frediani passed away suddenly on February 1 of this year. He was well-known throughout the area and throughout Nevada as he was executive director of the Nevada Franchised Auto Dealers Association. In that post he represented the more than one hundred dealers throughout the state. His duties necessitated numerous trips to major cities in … [Read more...]
Sports reporting the way it used to be
Word came last week that one of the premier athletes in this area over the past half century had passed away. His name was Bob “Spider” Larson. I knew him well, often seeing him star for the University of Nevada Basketball team. He was tall for his era, possessing a compact body and extra-long arms and legs, which probably accounted for the arachnid appellation. In addition to … [Read more...]
Tennis and Arm Wrestling
Whatever the outcome of the Australian Open tennis tournament, it was good to see a smiling Rod Laver sitting in a prominent spot in the stadium named for him. As far as I know, Laver’s only appearance in this area occurred in 1965 at the opening of the Tahoe Racquet Club at Incline Village, Lake Tahoe. At that time, pro tennis players were not eligible to compete at Wimbledon … [Read more...]
Obama’s Farewell
Like many Americans, I listened to President Obama’s farewell address to the nation. As was expected, it was delivered in his best rhetorical hyperbole. Strangely enough, it was also eerily similar to the speech he made eight years ago when he won the election. On that occasion he promised to unite a divided country and bring significant change to the way Washington … [Read more...]
Full Contact Basketball
After watching UN’s thrilling basketball victory over San Diego State last week, I was once again reminded of my first round ball coach, Jim Aiken. When I left you last week, I was in the midst of my first meeting with Aiken prior to my first practice. After I felt I had convinced Coach Aiken that my hands were indeed big enough for basketball and that my mother actually did … [Read more...]
University Football
Every time I read about a new head football coach at the University of Nevada, I am reminded of legendary coach Jim Aiken. Almost everyone that has played for him has his favorite stories about the hard-nosed football mentor. Even this writer has his share. If you have the chance to examine the plaques in the Hall of Fame room located on the lower level of Legacy Hall, you … [Read more...]
My Favorite 49er
Despite the fact that the 49ers are suffering their worst season in history and that Colin Kaepernick has alienated not only most of his fan base but millions of people across the country, I still watch every 49er contest on TV. Every time I watch them it reminds me of a former 49er pal of many years. His name was Don Burke, who passed away several years ago. Spending more … [Read more...]
More Riverside Memories
Perusing Jack Harpster’s “The Genesis of Reno” continues to bring back memories of my time at the Riverside. Although I spent only eighteen months handling the hotel account, there were many interesting events that occurred during that time. As mentioned in a previous column, my first interaction with the hotel occurred when Frank Johnson of the Nevada State Journal and I … [Read more...]