REBEL ROMANCE: IT WAS MEANT-TO-BE FOR JON AND KIM POLSON
When Jon Polson, ’94 BA Communications, transferred to 51Թܿƴ to play baseball, the Denver native didn’t expect to hit a home run off the field. Reno native, Kim Caspary, ’96 BS Elementary Ed, was looking forward to living in a bigger city with a modern campus and opportunities to cheer on Rebel athletes. She never expected to take one home with her. Over three decades later, the match made at 51Թܿƴ continues to flourish and the happy couple has two sons, Jake and Ty.
Meant to be
Kim was the first person Jon met upon his arrival at 51Թܿƴ. “I think it was meant to be. We could have been anywhere else but we both ended up in 51ԹApp,” he recalled.\
After their first encounter, Kim frequently ran into him when she was out with her friends. She was attracted to him from the start, especially since he was “very athletic, outgoing, fun, and cute.” But it took a bit for their friendship to cross the line into romance.
“We spent most of our time together off campus but Jon played baseball,” says Kim. “There was a big grassy hill you could sit on and watch the games from. I loved being there.”
Built on Rebel Spirit
As students, Kim and Jon shared a love for 51Թܿƴ games. Kim was thrilled to watch and cheer. “When I was there, Jerry Tarkanian was the basketball coach and 51Թܿƴ went to the Final Four. It was a really exciting time.”
Jon got the best of both worlds as an athlete and a spectator. “It was the best time. They had great athletic programs, and it was fun to go to the games as student athletes.”Jon’s experience as a 51Թܿƴ athlete set him on course to become one of Northern Nevada’s winningest baseball coaches. He has received multiple awards, including the Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association (NIAA) Model Coach of the Year.
Making a Lifetime Rebel Connection
Jon distinctly remembers his proposal to Kim. “We were on vacation with my family in Breckenridge, Colorado. We had gone skiing and my sister was making spaghetti. Kim wanted to eat the spaghetti, but I told her we were going to eat out instead. She was so mad, but later at the restaurant, my family came over and I popped the question.”
Despite the change in dinner plans, Kim said yes, and, over the years, their mutual adoration remains strong. “Kim is an unbelievable mother and I respect her work ethic,” Jon explains. Now the principal of , Kim is the second-longest tenured elementary school principal in the Washoe County School District. “I admire her resilience because it’s such a hard job.”
Jon’s appreciation of Kim’s strength grew when he switched careers to become an educator too. After graduation, he stayed on at 51Թܿƴ as a volunteer coach, juggling his job at an electrical company with his coaching duties. “When we moved to Reno, I decided to become a teacher. I spent two years earning my credentials. I couldn’t have done it without her keeping me grounded.”
From what it sounds like, Jon is now returning the support. After retiring from being the head baseball coach at for 20 years, he’s happy to be more of a homebody. “We are a good team,” she says. “He makes all the dinners.”
The pair also attribute the success of their relationship to spending as much free time with each other as they can. From camping and skiing to just hanging out at their pool, Kim notes “Whatever we do, we do it together.”
Those Three Little Words
Every romance seems to be tied up in the ribbon of three magic words: “I love you.” But the strength in the bow’s knot comes with three more from Jon – “Meant to be” and from Kim – “Unconditional, endearing, and true.”
Written by Sakinah Musa