The athletics department at the University of Nevada, Reno, is in a phase of growth. That's why Reno Public Radio’s Marcus Lavergne sat down with Nevada Athletic Director Doug Knuth to get the latest on signing day, renovations to Mackey Stadium, and more.
Wider aisles and more wheelchair accessible seats are two of the key renovations Wolf Pack football fans can look forward to next season.
North of the stadium, construction for a new gym is also underway. The E. L. Wiegand Fitness Center is expected open in January of 2017. After that, Knuth said the old gym, Lombardi Recreation Center, will continue to hold inter mural competitions and serve as the basketball teams’ practice area.
“Certainly, it will give our basketball team something that they’ve asked for, for many, many years,” Knuth said, adding that because Lawlor Event Center is multi-purpose, the basketball team does not always get to practice there.
Aside from renovations, the Wolf Pack had its signing day earlier this month and brought in prospects from as far away as Florida and Canada. Knuth said football coach Brian Polian and his staff have “turned over every stone they can” to find talent.
“You can’t just recruit in your own backyard,” Knuth said.
However, recruiting coaches is just as important as recruiting talented players.
Knuth said coaches are interested in knowing whether a school has a good academic reputation and support from its community. To prospective coaches, these element are critical for a successful career.
“At that point, it’s not the great salesmanship of the athletic director, it’s this university [which] sells itself,” Knuth said.
