Athletes With a Nevada Connection Trivia Quiz | Sports

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Born in Nevada, this retired professional tennis player won eight grand slam tournaments during his career. Who is this athlete who had a notable rivalry with Pete Sampras?

Answer: Andre Agassi

Andre Agassi was born and raised in Las Vegas. He had a long and successful career until injuries forced his retirement in 2006. He was married to Brooke Shields from 1997 to 1999. Agassi married Steffi Graf in 2001.

2. A member of the LPGA Hall of Fame, this female golfer was Rookie of the Year in 1981. Which golfer had 35 tournament wins and also won six major championships?

Answer: Patty Sheehan

While Patty Sheehan was born in Middlebury, Vermont, she and her family relocated to Reno when she was young. Sheehan won three straight Nevada high school titles in the early 1970s. With her 13th victory in 1993, Sheehan became a member of the LPGA Hall of Fame. Her last victory came in 1996. Sheehan was inducted into the University of Nevada Hall of Fame in 1992.

3. A former district judge in Washoe County (Reno), he was more well known as a boxing referee, having been in the ring for the infamous "Bite Fight" between Mike Tyson and Evander Holyfield. What is the name of the referee whose catch phrase was, "Let's get it on"?

Answer: Mills Lane

Mills Lane was a boxer in his own right while serving in the Marines and later while enrolled at the University of Nevada where he became NCAA welterweight champion. He was named to the University of Nevada Athletics Hall of Fame in 1974. Lane refereed his last match between Thomas Hearns and Jay Snyder in 1998.

4. This basketball player was a vital part of the NCAA championship run for the UNLV Running Rebels in 1990, which defeated Duke by 30 points in the final. Named the NBA Rookie of the Year in 1992, what is the name of this former NBA player with the Knicks and Hornets?

Answer: Larry Johnson

Larry Johnson was one of the cornerstones of the 1990 championship team along with Stacey Augmon and Greg Anthony. Duke got its revenge, defeating UNLV in the final four the next year. Johnson was drafted first by the Charlotte Hornets in the 1991 NBA draft. The two-time NBA All-Star retired in 2001.

5. The second African-American elected to the NFL Hall of Fame in 1968, he played his college football for the University of Nevada. Who was this athlete who was named to the NFLs 75th Anniversary All-Time Team?

Answer: Marion Motley

Marion Motley played fullback and linebacker for the University of Nevada Wolfpack from 1940 to 1942. In 1941, he ran a kickoff back 105 yards for a touchdown. He had a nine-season pro career with the Browns and Steelers. Motley was a member of the undefeated 15-0 Browns team of 1948.

6. Before being drafted into the pros by the Arizona Diamondbacks, Lyle Overbay was a member of the University of Nevada baseball team from 1996 to 1999. What position did he play in the Major Leagues?

Answer: First base

Lyle Overbay played first base throughout his pro career, although during college he did play some outfield. During his time with the University of Nevada baseball team, he hit .338 with 85 RBIs during his junior year, and improved to .420 and 88 RBIs batted in during the 1999 season.

7. The Zendejas name has had many prominent field goal kickers in the NFL. Which one attended the University of Nevada and led the nation in field goal kicking from 1981 to 1983?

Answer: Tony

Tony Zendejas, when he graduated in 1983, had kicked 70 field goals in three years and had the three longest field goals in University of Nevada history (55, 55, and 58 yards). His brother Marty took over and was the team's kicker for the next four years. During his professional career, Tony played with Oilers, Rams, Falcons, and 49ers.

In 1991, he became the first NFL kicker to have a perfect field goal season, hitting 17 for 17.

8. Drafted in the first round of the NBA draft by Phoenix Suns in 1999, this basketball player played one season for the UNLV Running Rebels in 1998-99. Which player was nicknamed "The Matrix"?

Answer: Shawn Marion

Shawn Marion had a 18.7 scoring average, 9.3 rebounds per game, and led the UNLV Running Rebels in blocked shots. However, the team failed to make the NCAA tournament and lost in the first round of the NIT. Marion has had a successful professional career and was named to numerous All-Star teams. He has played for the Suns, Heat, Raptors, and Mavericks.

9. Three times a member of a Super Bowl Champion team with the Redskins and 49ers, this sack specialist is a member of the University of Nevada Athletics Hall of Fame. What is the name of this four-time Pro Bowler?

Answer: Charles Mann

Charles Mann was a defensive end for the Wolfpack from 1979 to 1982. After having 14 sacks during his senior year, he was named Big Sky Conference Defensive Lineman of the Year. He played 11 seasons for the Washington Redskins, winning Super Bowl XXII and XXVI. Mann's final season in 1994 was with the 49ers where he won Super Bowl XXIX.

10. Known as the "Manassa Mauler", this boxing champion from the teens and 1920s, once was a part owner of the Champion Mine in the gold mining town of Midas in Nevada. Who was this fighter who also had fights staged in Tonopah and Goldfield?

Answer: Jack Dempsey

During his career, Dempsey fought out of Salt Lake City. However, he had fights throughout Nevada, including Tonopah, Goldfield, Ely, Carson City, and Reno. Towards the end of his career, he set up a training camp in Midas. He worked full-time in a mine which the owner renamed the Champion Mine. He became partner in the mine and spent a number of years in the town after his retirement.

Source: Author ghosttowner

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor Nightmare before going online.
Any errors found in FunTrivia content are routinely corrected through our feedback system.

Athletes With a Nevada Connection Quiz

Many prominent athletes were either born, lived, or attended college in Nevada. Can you recognize these athletes that had a impact on Nevada sports?

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