Every four years, athletes from around the world gather to compete in events, such as speed skating, rowing, cycling, curling, and skiing, as part of the Olympics. Their prize? A gold, silver, or bronze medal, and bragging rights for their home country.  

This past spring, UNLV participated in its own version of the Olympics. “The City of Las Vegas coordinates the Corporate Challenge and touts it as an opportunity for companies to build unity and camaraderie while enabling teamwork, company pride, and corporate wellness,” said Kathy Lauckner, who has served as UNLV’s Corporate Challenge coordinator since its inception.

The Corporate Challenge launched in 1986 with 1,850 competitors and only nine events. Today, it has become Nevada’s largest amateur sporting event, with more than 18,000 competitors from various companies competing in 37 different sports and gaming events. 

Just like the Olympics, the Corporate Challenge begins with a torch relay and ends with the closing ceremonies event — a celebratory day dedicated to challenge competitors. “It allows UNLV to show its Rebel pride and engage with the community, which is so important,” Lauckner said.

Keeping the Momentum Going

Lauckner came to UNLV in 1985 as a training coordinator for the Harry Reid Center for Environmental Studies. The following year, the first Corporate Challenge was advertised. "I was at the right place at the right time,” she said. 

The City of Las Vegas was looking for a swimming pool for Corporate Challenge competitors. “I somehow got UNLV to offer our pool in lieu of the registration fee,” she said. “That’s how Team UNLV was born.”

Now retired, but still at UNLV as a part-time instructor, Lauckner continues to dedicate her time to the annual initiative. “Coordinating the Corporate Challenge for the past 37 years has allowed me to meet people from every department on campus.”

Lauckner, along with her co-coordinator Edwin Fajardo of the Division of Student Affairs, worked hard to ensure that Team UNLV came back strong for the 2023 season after a three-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Through their outreach efforts, Team UNLV had nearly 250 competitors who participated in everything from swimming and racquetball to volleyball and track and field. 

But it wasn’t all just sports. The Corporate Challenge offered something for everyone, as chess, esports, and trivia were options for those not into athletics but who still wanted to participate.

Teamwork Makes the Dream Work

Lauckner and Fajardo aren’t the only ones responsible for the success of Team UNLV — captains are recruited to help build a team for each event. From planning practices to ensuring the team arrived on time for each event, it takes commitment to be a captain. 

Jim Clinton, associate vice president of finance and operations for Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement, was elected to be the captain of the horseshoes team. “I organized and coordinated the team’s activities leading up to and the day of the event.”

This was Clinton’s first time being captain and participating in the Corporate Challenge. “I heard about the Corporate Challenge when I was with Goodwill of Southern Nevada several years ago, but unfortunately we didn't have enough people to participate." 

Clinton finally got to be a part of something he's always dreamed of. “It’s a great competition between local organizations where we get to build cross-campus and cross-company relations,” he said. “The most rewarding thing about doing the Corporate Challenge was making UNLV proud, reconnecting with old community friends, and building new relationships with colleagues.” 

It may have been a first for Clinton, but many competitors have been a part of Team UNLV for years. “This year’s competition was stronger than in the past, but our team came ready to play,” said Adam Koebke, a lecturer for UNLV’s Mathematics Learning Center. 

Koebke was a member of Team UNLV’s racquetball team and came in first place. “We had seasoned competitors that have many years of racquetball experience and it proved to be valuable this year,” he said. “When we can, we try to watch each other's matches to cheer and offer advice. Camaraderie always gives us an extra boost.”

Looking Ahead to the Future

Lauckner is ready for Team UNLV to return for the 2024 season. Increasing awareness and participation is one of the things she’s hoping to accomplish.

“My wish for next year is to build a team that participates to the fullest in every event,” she said. “We need participation in every event and age bracket to be competitive.” 

Since this was the first year back after the pandemic, Lauckner said that it was a team-building year, basically almost starting from scratch to find competitors for various events. “It takes new competitors to talk up the event for next year,” she said. 

Fajardo has the same hopes for Team UNLV. “Receiving the 2024 Corporate Challenge event schedule and handbook from the City of Las Vegas early enough would help us recruit more competitors and get commitment from those who want to be involved,” he said. “If they know the event dates, venue, and rules for each event ahead of time, they can plan accordingly.”

Although details have yet to be announced, employees can stay up-to-date on the Corporate Challenge by visiting the City of Las Vegas website or staying in touch with UNLV’s Corporate Challenge coordinators Kathy Lauckner and Edwin Fajardo.