This week’s Off the Strip looks beyond the usual Las Vegas sports headlines to the stories unfolding across college, youth and adaptive sports. A legally blind local pitcher is headed to college on scholarship, the Raiders want public funding for a major Allegiant Stadium project, and a Las Vegas wheelchair football team is entering another season. The roundup also includes early soccer results at UNLV and CSN, national recognition for Allegiant Stadium, an umpire shortage push and two youth football tournaments bringing more competition to the valley.
Legally blind Las Vegas pitcher earns college scholarship
Seventeen-year-old Las Vegas pitcher Payton Bryan has earned a baseball scholarship to Ottawa University Arizona despite being legally blind in his left eye.
Bryan was born with Coats’ disease, a rare, non-hereditary disorder that causes abnormal blood vessels in the retina. The condition has required about five surgeries and leaves him with limited vision in the eye.
As a result, Bryan faces challenges with depth perception and tracking the ball. Still, he has continued pitching and hitting and even recorded a triple earlier this year.
Bryan plans to continue his baseball career at Ottawa this fall. His older brother Jordan, also a right-handed pitcher, said Payton’s determination has kept him competing despite the condition.
Raiders seek $75 million for Allegiant Stadium north plaza
The Raiders are proposing a $158 million project aimed at improving pedestrian traffic and event space on the north side of Allegiant Stadium.
Plans call for an elevated pedestrian deck, public plaza, event deck and transportation improvements near the Hacienda Bridge. The elevated deck would separate pedestrians from roadway traffic while allowing rideshare vehicles to operate below.
To help pay for the project, the Raiders are asking the Las Vegas Stadium Authority for up to $75 million from excess room-tax revenue. The team would privately fund the remaining costs.
The Stadium Authority reviewed the proposal Thursday but took no action. Instead, the board scheduled a vote on the funding for Sept. 2.
Scordo scores twice as UNLV opens season with win
UNLV men’s soccer opened its season Thursday with a 2-1 win over CSUN at Peter Johann Memorial Field.
Sophomore forward Maxim Scordo scored both goals in his first match as a Rebel. He struck in the 18th minute before adding a penalty kick five minutes later.
CSUN cut the lead to 2-1 in the 79th minute. However, UNLV held on for the season-opening victory.
The Rebels also limited CSUN to one shot on goal while finishing with a 4-1 advantage in shots on target.
Next, UNLV will begin a four-game road swing Tuesday at Kansas City.
Las Vegas wheelchair football enters fourth season
The City of Las Vegas wheelchair football program is competing in its fourth season in 2026.
The city fields a 14-player team called the Las Vegas Raiders in the USA Wheelchair Football League. Five current players are military veterans, while 15 to 25 veterans participate through tryouts, practices, camps and clinics.
In addition, the program provides appropriate wheelchairs for players who need them. Practices run Mondays and Wednesdays from 6 to 8 p.m. at Dula Community Center.
The program receives support from Move United, the NFL, the Bob Woodruff Foundation and the USA Wheelchair Football League.
Allegiant Stadium earns top AFC honors for venue and food
Allegiant Stadium finished second nationwide for both Best NFL Stadium and Best NFL Stadium Food in the 2026 USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards.
As a result, the Las Vegas venue ranked highest among AFC stadiums in both categories. Fans across the country determined the results through nationwide voting.
Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta took the No. 1 spot in both categories.
The recognition adds to a growing list of honors for Allegiant Stadium. Earlier this year, Pollstar named the venue its U.S. Stadium of the Year.
Allegiant Stadium opened in 2020 and serves as the home of the Raiders and UNLV football.
UNLV women’s soccer earns first win of Bingham era
UNLV women’s soccer opened the 2026 season with a 1-2 record through its first three matches under new head coach Kelly Bingham.
The Rebels began with a 1-0 loss at Cal Poly on Aug. 12. Four days later, they returned home and beat Portland State 1-0 for the first victory of the Bingham era.
UNLV then dropped a 2-1 decision to UC San Diego on Thursday at Peter Johann Memorial Field.
With three matches complete, the Rebels will continue working through their nonconference schedule as Bingham settles into her first season.
Perfect Game Nevada looks for new umpires
Perfect Game Nevada is recruiting new and returning umpires as it prepares for upcoming baseball events.
The organization scheduled recruiting sessions for Aug. 23 and 24 from 6 to 8 p.m. at The Yard, 2111 S. Rainbow Blvd.
Perfect Game Nevada hopes to expand its pool of officials available to work youth baseball games throughout the area.
The effort also highlights one of the less visible parts of youth sports. Tournaments and leagues depend on officials, making umpire recruitment an important part of keeping games on the schedule.
CSN men’s soccer splits opening weekend
The College of Southern Nevada men’s soccer team finished its opening weekend at 1-1 after a 6-0 loss to Utah State Eastern.
CSN started the season Friday with a 1-0 win over Truckee Meadows at Cheyenne Sports Complex. Alejandro Marquez scored in the seventh minute, while goalkeeper Diego Mendez made four saves to preserve the shutout.
Utah State Eastern answered the following day and handed the Coyotes their first loss with a six-goal performance.
CSN will now head back on the road Wednesday, Aug. 27, to face Colorado Northwestern Community College in Rangely, Colorado.
Big West youth football tournament takes over Durango
The second annual Big West youth tackle football tournament is wrapping up Sunday at Durango High School.
The three-day event began Friday and includes divisions from 6U through 14U. Organizers opened the tournament to teams from Nevada and other western states.
The Hospitality Series created Big West as a preseason showcase for youth programs before their regular seasons begin. Meanwhile, Seal Sports and RNR Top 100 are providing media coverage of players and teams throughout the weekend.
The tournament gives some of the region’s youngest football players a chance to compete in Las Vegas before the fall season gets underway.
Shook brings 5-on-5 flag football tournament back next weekend
Shook Tournaments will hold another 5-on-5 youth flag football event in the Las Vegas area Aug. 29 and 30.
The tournament includes coed divisions from 6U through 14U. Girls divisions will also run from 8U through high school.
Teams receive a three-game guarantee and will compete under NFL FLAG rules. In addition, rosters can include six to 12 players, with a maximum of two coaches.
The event continues Shook’s busy local flag football calendar while giving both boys and girls another tournament opportunity before the fall season begins.
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Dice City Sports editor Mark Hebert covers the Las Vegas Aces, Vegas Golden Knights, Las Vegas Raiders, Athletics, and UNLV baseball and softball. He has 24 years of journalism experience, is also a senior reporter at Exhibit City News, and previously covered the Dallas Stars and Texas Rangers. Follow him on X or connect on LinkedIn.
