Who & Where
1
University of Nevada
The Reno school reached the NCAA tournament's Sweet 16 for the
first time in 2004 after upsetting Michigan State and Gonzaga.
2
Pole Vault Summit
This competition among world-class vaulters is held on a stage at
the Reno Hilton.
3
Truckee River Whitewater Park
You can kayak and raft through downtown Reno in the park, which
has been in use since November.
4
Reno
The Jack Johnson-James J. Jeffries heavyweight title fight, held
in this city in 1910, helped inspire the play and movie The Great
White Hope.
5
Chance Kretschmer
The Nevada running back from Tonopah led the NCAA in rushing as a
freshman in 2001.
6
Kyle Busch
The Las Vegas native and younger brother of Kurt Busch twice
finished second in Busch Series races in 2003.
7
Tasha Schwikert
The 2000 Olympic gymnast, who helped the U.S. women finish
fourth, is from Las Vegas.
8
Las Vegas Motor Speedway
About 140,000 attend the annual NASCAR race here every March.
9
Marcus Banks
The Celtics rookie and UNLV alum went to Cimarron-Memorial High
in Vegas.
10
Dwaine Knight
The UNLV golf coach, a New Mexico native, led the Rebels to the
1998 NCAA title and has developed 31 All-Americas.
11
Steven Jackson
The former Oregon State running back from Las Vegas was chosen
24th in this year's NFL draft, by the Rams.
12
Greg Anthony
The ESPN broadcaster, a former Runnin' Rebels guard, is from Las
Vegas.
13
MGM Grand Garden Arena
Its heavyweight history includes Mike Tyson's famous ear-munching
of Evander Holyfield.
14
HOT SPOT
Binion's Horseshoe
The casino where Benny Binion started the World Series of Poker
has had financial troubles lately but is still the real deal when
it comes to competitive cardplaying. The winner of this year's
tournament, which concludes May 28, will walk away with about $3
million and a lifetime supply of ESPN close-ups.
15
Little White Wedding Chapel
Michael Jordan got married here at 2:30 a.m., on a Saturday in
September 1989, with four guests.
16
Thomas & Mack Center
UNLV's basketball arena also hosts the National Finals Rodeo
every December.
17
Caesars Palace
Daredevil Evel Knievel made headlines in 1967 when he crashed
while trying to jump the hotel fountain on his motorcycle. Fan
Man flew into the ring during the 1993 Bowe-Holyfield title fight
in the outdoor arena.
18
Henderson
The rapidly growing city (pop. 225,000, up from 7,400 in 1953) is
Nevada's SI Sportstown for having the best community sports
programs.
COLOR MAP: MAP ILLUSTRATION BY JOE ZEFF CARSON CITY
COLOR PHOTO: JOE CAVARETTA/AP
SI.com
To read an SI Flashback story about the Runnin' Rebels' 1990 NCAA
championship, view a gallery of Las Vegas fight covers or submit
your own Nevada sports memory, go to si.com/50.
