Washoe County School District high schools began graduation ceremonies last night, signaling the end of yet another school year.

The end of the traditional school year results in a large decrease in our coverage of prep sports for the next two-plus months. It’s certainly not a secret that covering the varsity athletic programs from Spanish Springs, Sparks and Reed is our bread and butter, but with an absence of prep sports over the coming months, we are asking for your assistance.

We will continue to do our best to cover Little League and Babe Ruth all-star teams, however, we need contact information. We need to know when city league championships are played, when all-star tournaments begin and end.

We also don’t want to leave any of our local youths out of the coverage mix. We need the same aforementioned information about Sparks area youth softball all-star leagues.

Our staff is aware that softball and baseball aren’t the only summer sports. We want to know about local summer swim meets or a soccer tournament where Sparks teams compete.

We’d like to hear about all kinds of story ideas, provided there is a link to the Rail City and its residents.

High School teams have nearly become year-round commitments. If you know of offseason prep basketball, volleyball or any other sport programs hosting summer events, tell us about them.

Sparks Tribune stories are not always about youths either. If your friend is an 65-year-old competitive marathon runner or starting a local sports-related business we want to know.

There are interesting and unique athletes with special stories here in the Rail City and we want to know about them. We are only a phone call or email away. Our contact information is listed below.

•The summer also marks a key time for local youths to fundraise for their particular sporting passion. You’ll see athletes from 10 or younger to 18 and older selling meat of every variety at the Rib Cook-off and T-shirts at Hot August Nights.

When you see these kids or their parents working to raise funds, help them out. They are trying to earn some money without asking for a handout. That is an admirable goal.

Throw a dollar in the tip jar. In many cases, understand that you’re not providing meal money for adults after a hot summer work shift, but helping our local youth athletes pay for an airline ticket, new team clothing gear or a hotel room. It’s going to a good cause.



Dan Eckles is the Tribune’s sports editor. He can be reached by phone at 358-8061 ext. 229 or via email at — deckles@dailysparkstribune.com