University of Nevada Athletics

Football, Track, Basketball, Rugby, Coach, Regent (1903-09, 1914-19, 1932-57)
A Reno native, Silas Ross spent more than 70 years in service to the University of Nevada. He competed as a student-athlete in football, track, rugby and basketball, including a stint as a substitute guard on the University’s first basketball team. As student body president in his senior year, he suggested plans that were later adopted for the new athletic field donated by Clarence Mackay. A chemistry major who also had an interest in journalism, he owned, edited and published the precursor for the Nevada Sagebrush student newspaper and was a member of the Artemesia yearbook editorial staff. After graduation, he taught chemistry, coached the Nevada men’s and women’s basketball, rugby and track teams and served as graduate manager for all athletics. He also helped organize the Block N Society, Nevada’s varsity letterwinners association. A two-term Reno City Councilman, he became a University regent in 1932 and spent 32 years as the longest serving regent in University history, including 18 years as board chair. As a tribute to Ross when he retired, the University named the original College of Business building Ross Hall in his honor.