Marce Herz

A pioneering spirit. A champion of youth education and sports. 

Marcelle (“Marce”) Barkley Herz was a track-and-field world-record holder, champion amateur skier, and co-founder of the Reno Junior Ski Program, Sky Tavern. She fervently believed in the positive power of sports for our community’s youth—and that all children should have the opportunity to ski and snowboard, regardless of their economic status. 

As one of 10 children, Marce knew how to get things done and care for others—and she also believed deeply in the power of sports to uplift and motivate children. 

After graduating from the University of Nevada, Reno, Marce taught school for over a decade, including five years spent at Mt. Rose Elementary School. During her time as a pre-school teacher, Marce co-founded one of the oldest and largest non-profit snow sports programs in the United States. She approached the owners of Sky Tavern with the idea of reducing lift prices for school children. What started as a group of just six students in 1948 has since grown into the Sky Tavern Junior Ski Program, an effort that has taught over 100,000 children to ski. 

Marce eventually felt the call of a career in journalism. In 1949 she made the move from educator to storyteller and served as a ski columnist and winter sports reporter of the Reno Evening Gazette for many years. She and her husband Walter Herz have one son, Howard “Howdy” Herz—and her legacy is carried on today through her son and grandchildren.  

Though Marce cared little for accolades or attention, she holds many to her name. Marce became the first woman to receive the Sportsmen (Sportswoman) of the Year Award from the Nevada Sportswriters Association and has 16 amateur Alpine ski titles under her belt. Later in her life, Marce achieved additional notoriety and demand as a designer. For nearly 15 years after her death in 1964, Far West Ski Association continued to hold and sponsor the “Marce Herz Downhill”. Today, a Reno Middle School is being built in her name. 

Because of her modesty, Marce’s contributions to youth, education, journalism, snow sports, and design were little-known during her life. Today, however, Marce’s trailblazing spirit inspires young athletes everywhere as her story is shared throughout Northern Nevada and beyond.