Nevada State University formally announced Yvonne Wade as the University’s first-ever director of athletics, marking a transformative moment for the institution’s growth and student experience. Celebrating the announcement with a press conference on campus today, Nevada State leadership also unveiled the department’s logo and website.
Wade elaborated on her plans for the program once she officially begins on July 1, 2025, including hiring coaches, recruiting student athletes, scheduling opponents, securing temporary locations to host athletic events, and engaging the community to support Nevada State Athletics.
“As we launch this program, we’re not just adding sports to an institution, we’re adding opportunity and momentum to the student and University culture Nevada State offers,” said Wade. “Our goal is to build a program that champions student growth and reflects a culture of perseverance, pride, and purpose. I’m excited to work alongside our students, faculty, staff, and community partners to build an athletic department that not only strives for competitive success, but also becomes a blueprint for how sports can expand access and impact in Southern Nevada.”
Wade is a nationally recognized leader in collegiate athletics. She brings more than two decades of experience building successful student-athlete programs, most recently serving as Director of Athletics at the College of Southern Nevada (CSN) and formerly serving as the head track coach at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV).
Nevada State also announced a significant donation from the Vegas Golden Knights during the press conference to support the development and long-term success of the athletic program.
“I am grateful to have the support of the Vegas Golden Knights as we launch this next chapter in Nevada State’s history,” said Dr. DeRionne Pollard, President of Nevada State University. “They are helping Nevada State transform collegiate sports in Nevada by investing in this inaugural program and expanding opportunities for both men’s and women’s sports.”
Recruitment for Women’s Flag Football and Men’s Track and Field is underway, with the inaugural season for both sports planned for spring 2026.
To learn more about Nevada State’s athletic program, visit https://NSUScorpions.com.
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About Nevada State University:
Nevada State University (Nevada State), a four-year, independently accredited public institution, is a member of the Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE). Nevada State places a special emphasis on the advancement of a diverse and largely under-served student population. Located on a developing 500-acre campus in the foothills of Henderson, Nevada, the institution was established in 2002 and has recently adopted ‘University’ in its name. Nevada State emphasizes high-quality instruction, exemplary service, engaging learning experiences, and innovation in support of Nevada’s growing workforce needs. Nevada State offers more than 65 majors and minors and continues to expand its physical campus and reach to students across the state. Committed to fostering a personal learning environment, students are taught by faculty who serve as mentors and guides in classrooms with an average class size under 25 students. Nevada State serves more than 7,400 students and has over 9,400 alumni, each representing a broad array of cultural and economic backgrounds. For more information, visit https://nevadastate.edu.
