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A week from today, the Pahrump Valley Times series on Nye County athletics in general, Pahrump Valley High School in particular, will begin, with the series covering the years 1973 through June 1991 -- shortly before the second PVHS opened.

In researching for the series -- which will be at least nine articles (we're not sure of exactly how many more at this moment) -- we have uncovered facts, figures, comments, notes, quotes and views sure to intrigue the most discerning of readers.

For instance, in the June 1972 edition of the Nevada West Pahrump Valley Times (then a monthly publication), Nye County assessor Leo Funk predicted that the building of a high school in the Pahrump Valley "would prompt a population jump to 10,000 people within a few years." He was speaking at a Rotary Club meeting in Tonopah.

In October 1972, there were 598 registered voters in Pahrump, 998 in Tonopah, 373 in Gabbs, 80 in Round Mountain and 337 in Beatty.

The series will recount how the population -- and registered voters -- of the valley did, indeed, proliferate -- and how the rest of the county was affected.

In the September 1972 Times, the site for the new high school was announced.

"The Pahrump Valley High School will be located on 45 acres of alfalfa ground located in the Calvada Valley development. The spot is in the center of historical Pahrump Ranch," the report began. Other sites considered were Charleston Park Road, Blagg and Wilson, and 40 acres of private land between of Blagg Road and Highway 16 (now 160).

The Preferred Equities proposal, the story continued, "was accepted because of its central location, large size and Calvada's own non-commercial zoning. Nye County itself has no zoning ordinances."

In addition, "the developer will also provide site improvements, including water, sewage and grading."

The Pahrump Ranch dated back more than 100 years, the story said. "With its springs, trees and farm soil, it has long served as a farm and way station for travelers, prospectors and Spanish Trail riders."

When the 1973-74 school year began, there were 365 students in the system, including 102 at the high school. There were 246 elementary school students on Oct. 26, 1972, the average daily enrollment had to be reported.

In previous years, the total elementary school enrollment steadily increased from 65 in 1966-67 to 175 in 1968-69 and 235 in 1972-72.

Because the $1.2 million PVHS building was not yet completed, classes were held in split sessions at the grade school and community center.

Grade-school students attended classes from 7:30 a.m. to 11:35 a.m. High school boys and girls reported at 12:30 p.m., with the final period ending at 5:25 p.m.

Classes began Aug. 27, 1973, but the new high school was not dedicated until March 14, 1974. The football field, incidentally, was not included in the first-year plans for the new high school; belonging to a league was. The Trojans were placed in the Southern Nevada Class A League, along with Mesquite Virgin Valley, Tonopah, Lincoln County, Indian Springs and Overton Moapa Valley.

Before construction began on the new high school, "the first steps of on-site development" had already started, including road building and the drilling of a 500 gallons-a-minute well by Preferred Equities."

In addition, a November 1972 story said, "Plans for a three-stage sewage treatment facility (the beginnings of Utilities Inc.) have received the state health department okay and will seek final approval Nov. 14 from the Environmental Protection Agency.

"The well is located about 1,000 feet east of the 45-acre school site. It and the sewage plant will be capable of serving the school, plus 50 additional homes."

Several miles of new roads "are under construction," reported the Times, "including Calvada Boulevard, Mt. Charleston and Los Coyotes."

Preliminary plans for Pahrump Valley's first high school building -- which would operate under the guidance of principal Don Worden and superintendent Joaguin G. Johnson -- included five classrooms, along with special rooms for science, business "and possibly home economics." There will also be a shop for automotive and other vocational training, and a resources center/library.

A multi-purpose gymnasium would include a portable stage and seating for 300 to 400 people on one side. The floor would have a synthetic surface.

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Here are some questions that will be answered during the course of this series:

* How were the school colors and nickname chosen?

* Off-road racing was already present in the valley, with Casey Folks involved. How?

* Rodeo was big because of the presence of the Community Center Arena. Why are the names McCullough and Ruud so prominent in talking about those two facilities?

* The community park was important as well. How did it fit into the PVHS programs and how did it get its name, Petrack Park?

* Bobby Woods became a big name in PVHS athletics and what other sport?

* Who were Hank Wohle, Pat Inch, Richard Travis, Donna Travis, Pam Hope Jim Valline and Pam Blosser?

* What was unique about Pahrump Valley's girls basketball team winning a Nevada 1-A title in 1976?

* Who were Randy Gordon, Fawn Briscoe, Anna Barris, James Long, Pete Sevilla, Lee Roy Turner, Paul Bullock and David Bellamy?

* How did high school golf get its start in the Pahrump Valley?

* When did the PVHS football field get its lights?

* When did the Calvada Valley Golf and Country Club begin operations?

* Karen Friel is the girls basketball coach at Galena High School in Reno. How does she fit into the history of Nye County athletics?

* Who is Bob Hammel and how does he relate to what was the bowling center at the original Mountain View Casino?

* Who is Keith Koerner?

* Mark McClain was the first PVHS star in which sport?

* Lettuce was once a bumper crop in the valley. True or false?

* Who is Harold Coleman?

* When did the Executive golf course open?

* Who helped organize the developmemt and construction of the Ruud Memorial Speedway?

* Pahrump's Casey Lloyd was just 14 years old and had started to make a name for herself in which sport?

* What was the Frontier 500?

* Who is Alex Pekarek?

* The Pahrump Valley had a boxing team. True or false?

* Casey Tibbs was involved in which event in the Pahrump Valley ... and when?

* Ray DePalma met Vanna White. How?

* What did Ed Barela achieve in PVHS athletics?

* Pahrump Valley played Australia in which sport and when?

* Who is Diana Sullivan?

* Who is Colt Creamer?

* Evel Knievel visited Pahrump. True or false?

* Who is Jerry Erdahl?

* Who is Theresa Heath?

The answers to all of those questions and other pertinent details will be discovered in this historical perspective on Nye County and Pahrump Valley athletics over the next several weeks.

Stay tuned.