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The worlds of sports and showbiz collide! Featuring in-depth chats with top athletes, entertainers, and industry insiders - all with a Las Vegas twist.
Wesley Knight 0:00
This is a KU NV studios original program. The content of this program does not reflect the views or opinions of 91.5 jazz and more the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, or the Board of Regents of the Nevada System of Higher Education.
Speaker 1 0:22
Go Nothing can stop me. I'm all the way up, all the way up, I'm all
Speaker 1 0:33
the way up, I'm all the way up. Nothing can stop me, I'm all the way up.
Alexis Levi 0:41
Hello, and it's Alexis again, back with sports and stars, we've had several shows now, and I hope you guys have enjoyed it. We've had some great guests. And the exciting thing for me today, as I learned about this particular situation just a couple of days ago, and it's a major, it's major, major, major for Las Vegas today, I have Edward Thompson on the phone with me, and he's the Workforce Development Specialist for a major project that's happening here in our city. The City of Las Vegas is in partnership with the College of Southern Nevada, and they officially had their ribbon cutting today this morning, at around 830 this morning on the historic West Side School campus. Now, some notables that were there were Shelley Berkley, our mayor, Ward five, Councilwoman Chandra summers at Armstrong. Then there was also Chancellor, Matt McNair, CSN president, Stacy klippenstein. I hope I'm saying that right and the US Senator Catherine Cortez Masto, and without further ado, I want to make sure that I intro and welcome you to the show, sports and stars. Edward Thompson, workforce development specialist, welcome to the show. Thank you. Hi, Howard, yeah. How are you doing today? You're excited. It's been a great day for you, right?
Edward Thompson 2:06
Oh, absolutely, definitely. It's been a great day early, Dave, but it's been fantastic with the opening ribbon cutting of the new facility inside the historic west side of Las Vegas.
Alexis Levi 2:21
Yes, and I'm so excited about all the things that are happening in Las Vegas. I know there's things happening at ULb, there's things happening downtown. I heard there's big things this weekend for downtown. I mean, it's just, you know, I've lived in Vegas for 20 years, and I am still loving it. You know, there's always something new happening in the city. So thank you so much for bringing this to me, because I wouldn't have known about it. It says the facility highlights are the center spans 15,000 square feet and cost approximately 16 point 4 million partially funded by the US economic development administrative grant. And also, builders United is handling construction. It will deliver credential job training programs and advanced manufacturing, healthcare, technology and construction trades designed to offer direct pathways into high demand, high wage career fields and academic programs. Now that's really exciting, because that gives opportunity for everybody who lives here, who may want a job, or may need to, you know, change careers. Correct,
Edward Thompson 3:27
correct, correct, correct, correct. It's an opportunity for young adults, even adults that are looking to change the current pathways that they're they're in when it comes to looking for new careers and careers of the future.
Alexis Levi 3:44
Yes, yes, yes. I like that. I like that. Now. It says vision and community impact. The project is a strategic component of the historic West Side revitalization, part of the broader 100 plan for community redevelopment. It aims to transform education and workforce accessibility by bridging inner city communities to career opportunities in higher education, an effort described by CSN leadership as not just constructing a building, but as breaking the cycle of poverty in the west side. Now I like that because I think that that's definitely needed. And you know, I always like opportunity. You know, Opportunity always breeds new ideas, new people, new opportunities. And I'm excited about that now. It says campus context. The new center resides on the historic West Side School campus, a site with deep roots. It celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2023 and serves as both a Community Design Center and cultural touchstone, featuring local history exhibits and events. Now the campus also includes the strong future technology training center and a small business support center, making it a growing hub for education, job readiness and entrepreneurship. Now. Out to for someone who's listening to the show and wants to be involved in this or get involved?
Edward Thompson 5:08
Yeah, absolutely. So what you do is just come on down to the campus over here at the historic west side. It's not hard to miss. It's on Washington and D Street. And our specialist here, which would be myself or Marcus scherfield, yes, and we would be happy to help get you signed up.
Alexis Levi 5:30
Yeah, no, that's good. That's good. We'll make sure to put it on our website as well, so that they can in our social media, so that they can really tap into you guys. Now I want to talk a little bit about the history of this project. How long have you all been working on this project? Well,
Edward Thompson 5:47
it was actually one of the first projects I was presented with. I've been here for about three years. Yeah, about about three years from, you know, conception to actually, it took about a year or so to erect the venue. So yeah, and in hindsight is, like, it's actually, it's, it hasn't taken too long, you know, to really, uh,
Alexis Levi 6:09
right, comparatively speaking, yeah, when you're trying to raise money, you're trying to put, you know, the programs together, get the right people on board, get your board together. All that usually takes some time. So, but you have the powers to be, you know, senators and and and and the mayor and, you know, those. And when you get those people involved, they, they can push some buttons quicker than then, then any of the rest of us can. So, yeah. So I
Edward Thompson 6:39
vision, yeah, the vision of, you know, the commissioners that were here before that, you know, served this, this community. They really were looking at what's next. How can we extend and help this community and making sure that they have the opportunities to excel in life?
Alexis Levi 6:59
Yes, yes. I love it. I love it. Yeah, no. I mean, you know, we're excited here on this show. We primarily are always talking sports and, you know, entertainment. And, you know, I just thought it was appropriate, since it was your, you know, grand opening or your ribbon cutting that we, you know, take the show and we make sure the community knows that this is available as well. You know, most people like I said know me from working on sports and entertainment type stuff, but I think this is great. I think it makes us a more well rounded city. I mean, we've got so much here now. I mean, it's changed a huge amount since I relocated here. And the great thing about it is it never stops growing. I mean, you keep getting, you know, forward thinkers, visionaries, people that are willing to put their, you know, selves out there to develop and put together things that are going to better the city. In the business arena, like you said, and in the economic development, correct? Tell me a little bit more about what the final vision is. Is it? Is it a certain number of businesses that are going to be launched? I mean, what is, what is the goal?
Edward Thompson 8:14
Right? Their numbers, yeah. Before it's really about exploring the, you know, careers of the future. So, you know, for the subject matter, for your show, it's, you know, sports we're looking at, how do we create the opportunities for the youth that want to enter into that arena? Right? Whether it's, you know, playing as a professional, but what are the surrounding careers that support the sports industry? You know, there are tons of jobs, career opportunities, just from a legion alone, right?
Alexis Levi 8:46
Exactly, exactly.
Edward Thompson 8:50
And we want to make sure we bring these opportunities to the athletes, right? They who better than somebody that's been doing this since Pop Warner, where maybe 1% will actually go pro. But then what about the casters? Right? The production, right? You know, staff that are that are involved in this industry since Vegas has expanded into that, right? We from, yes, football, you know, the Golden Knights, who would have thought there was a hockey team in the desert, right? But, but here we are. Yeah, the age here we are, yeah, basketball, I mean, well, baseball and then basketball. Yes, there are so many careers that are going to evolve in our city that branched out into this industry that, you know, who better than the kids that one that live here and understand the culture of Las Vegas, and then those athletes that may want to branch into this space. So we are exploring, you know, again, careers of the future. What are these other industries that we can train our kids and to help them grow and give back?
Alexis Levi 9:55
Well, I would love to, you know, throw my hat in to be, you know, I. Helped in that area, because, you know, I went through training, you know, I don't think you know my whole story, but I wanted to be an agent, and I was my first stint into the into sports, and I went to a school called sports management worldwide. It was great because it was hands on. I was a little older at that time. I had kids and everything already. So, you know, I think, you know, if we look to serve people like that, are, you know, mature that want to change careers, and also those that want to be in specific careers within the leagues, because we're, let's face it, we haven't stopped getting more sports teams and leagues and organizations here that are sports related, yeah, so it's only going to get more, you know, it's only going to be more. I mean, you know, you and I started talking about eSports. So, you know, it's only going to grow. And so by the growth that we are currently having, it would be great to be a part of something that helps develop or helps bring the educational component of sports here, you know, because I'm, you know, I pretty much know everybody in sports, so that would be really great. And you know, we can talk about that offline, or maybe, you know, I can present something at one of the meetings, or whatever. But, you know, I'm excited about it. Yeah, I'm excited about everything that you're talking about, because it just means more growth. We know at some point we're going to have an NBA team, right? So why not get ahead of it? Why not get ahead of it and get the right staff and the right people and, you know, start providing, you know, the education and, or, you know, the direction, and you know, really be ready for it,
Edward Thompson 11:47
right? It's about developing. It's about it. I was saying it's about developing, and, you know, exposing the kids. Because if you don't know, you don't know, right? You have no idea that there are opportunities where, you know, in this space, and you know, it's about inviting the kids to come down and say, Hey, check this out. There's this thing over here that I think that you might, you might, enjoy, right? That's, that's kind of the thing that we're doing with, like with f1 right? There's opportunities in f1 we're seeing that expansion in the f1 industry now with Cadillac, yeah, you know, with a race team, right? Bringing more awareness in the US. You know, I grew up with f1 only because my family back in the days when Pan Am was a thing. So I'm kind of dating myself. Here was, it was an airline, but they would travel to Europe, right? So I would had the opportunities to know about the Mario Andretti of the racing and now it is like, hey, how do we bring this to to the youth in our community? Because I'm sure they have something that they can contribute to this industry, that can change it in a good way.
Alexis Levi 12:57
Oh, yeah, or even become drivers. You know, I've met quite a few drivers since I've been here. I've been to F f1 I didn't go last year, but I went the year before, when it first started. And of course, you've got people, yeah, they got you've got people of all races, shapes, sizes, and that influences the kids. I mean, I don't think there's a kid that doesn't know Lewis Hamilton, you know. So I think, you know, I think that, you know, it could be a scenario where not only do we have f1 and we have, you know, NASCAR and all that, but there may be an opportunity to breed more drivers and breed more sponsors. I mean, I'm all about that. Because, I mean, you know, I grew up in sports, you know, my father was facilities manager for the Oakland Coliseum, which was where the raiders were. So I grew up as a little girl watching the Raiders, you know, some of the old some of the older guys and, you know, Jack Tatum and all of that, you know, and then, of course, the warriors with Rick Berry and all of that. So, you know, it just keeps recycling, you know, it really does. I mean, if we give them the foundation, then they'll, you know, they'll, they'll run with it, you know. And you know, maybe, maybe there's, you know, schooling that's, you know, can come through your center for them. And, you know, it's just a matter of, you know, opportunity meets, you know, is something presented. You know, it doesn't, it doesn't necessarily come out of the woodworks, but you guys have already started, and I commend you for what you're doing with your center. And I know UNLV is doing a lot of different stuff, too, in sports. And so the good thing is, is that the whole city is, you know, got their selves wrapped around sports, you know, whether it's, you know, like you say, going to a UNLV game, whether it's going to a CSN game, whether it's, you know, the NBA coming here. I mean, you know, everybody was involved. We had the big. The Big Three, I think they're here this weekend, or they were here. And, yeah, so all of everything's coming to Vegas. It's all Vegas, you know, with sports and entertainment. Now it is so yeah,
Edward Thompson 15:11
and all levels, and all levels, you know,
Alexis Levi 15:15
every single level, you know. And I love it. I love it. Because I, when I first came here, there was nothing. We just had the UNLV. We had the baseball and you know that those were really the only two things you know, that were here, yeah, and then I brought a team called the Las Vegas stars here, and we were a basketball team, and we traveled nationwide, you know. But other than that, there really wasn't a lot. And I remember speaking to Oscar Goodman at the time, and him, you know, saying, you know, we're an entertainment, you know, place, as opposed to sports. And now it's just the opposite. Everybody's saying, sports, sports,
Edward Thompson 15:59
sports, which I've been in, sports. It's a, it's a great form of entertainment, right? You see that integrated into it when the Lakers, you know, had the court side seating, you know, and it was, it was about, you know, Magic Johnson, and they brought that flair, that that excitement to the game and all and and that's, that's what Vegas is good at really doing, right? The Super Bowl,
Edward Thompson 16:24
the Super Bowl, Super Bowl was amazing on, yes,
Edward Thompson 16:27
right, right? And all the entertainment factor that was integrated into, you know, the Super Bowl of Las Vegas. So they is entertainment, you know, sports, it goes hand in hand. And
Alexis Levi 16:40
what better hand in hand, yes,
Edward Thompson 16:43
Yep, yeah, you know Vegas Exactly. We have the infrastructure we're right next to LA. We have the the ability to fly folks from all over the world. You know, we have what is it like the Emirates cup or basketball league that comes here, or tournament for the NBA. So there's, there's so many great opportunities that come along with doing business here in Vegas, in the sports industry. And you always ask yourself, like, wow, how hasn't this happened sooner? But I'm dealing with the now, and it's great that this is, it's blowing up at this time,
Alexis Levi 17:21
yes, yes. And it's great for the city. It is absolutely great. So let me ask just a few more questions about the involvement of, you know, other people in your program. So I love what you're doing. I love how it's set up. Obviously the mayor is involved, so she's really behind it as well, or in front of it, however you look at it. And her her goal today, at the ribbon, ribbon cutting, she was there,
Edward Thompson 17:54
absolutely, absolutely,
Alexis Levi 17:55
absolutely have that. And, yeah, of course, of course. And do you know, what did you speak at all and say anything about her vision, or is it pretty much synonymous, across the board, with her economic development and her and all the political people that were involved?
Edward Thompson 18:15
You know, it was just her, you know, giving her blessing, right? She is about moving forward the diversification and making sure that the this historic west side has that opportunity to to be able to be in the running with everybody else, right? It's this space is a very, very historic area. You know, when you look at the history of Las Vegas and it's just making sure that it's not forgotten. And these, these venues, these opportunities, are a nod to that. So, yeah, it was great having her. It was great having Councilwoman there that represents the historic Ward five of Las Vegas.
Alexis Levi 18:55
Yes, that area, yes,
Edward Thompson 18:59
yes, to get like that, to get that not
Alexis Levi 19:03
Yes, well, we're excited about it. We're, you know, glad that we knew you so that we could know what was going on, because I had not heard of it before you told me that it was happening, and so I'm really excited about it. I hope that you'll keep us posted on the show. I do the show, you know, once a month, but I'll get you a copy so you can share it with everybody. Yeah, the exciting thing for us, like I said, is that we're first hand. I'd love to be firsthand, and know exactly what's going on in our streets and on the ground, and you've been able to bring that to us. So I appreciate it when there's when there's announcements or anything about workforce, or anything like that, or you're looking for people to work and things like that. I
Edward Thompson 19:47
appreciate the support, and, you know, being that voice to the community so that they know what's going on.
Alexis Levi 19:55
Yes, yes, yes. And I thank you so much for coming over and talking to us here at sports. And stars with me, Alexis Levi the host of sports and stars, and I'm going to do a quick countdown, and we'll be offline, and I appreciate you and see you next time.
Edward Thompson 20:12
Absolutely. Thank you so much for having
Edward Thompson 20:13
me. You
Transcribed by https://otter.ai