Now is the time

[dcut03]

Now is the time to go out and support these Rebels, especially football.

We have a lot of Rebel fans that almost take pride in the fact that they don't go to games or give the school money. I get it. It is a protest to the way things have gone, and they have not gone well. I get it.

But this is the year to break protest and try to show up.

There is a very small window that may be open, and it is still open, for UNLV to upgrade it's profile to try to get in with the big boys. The only thing holding it back is success (easier said than done) and fan support.

UNLV has put their money where there mouth is with football. They sent money on a legit SEC coach, the most in conference history to get this done. There are more reasons than ever to hope for a good year.

These conference just want to see if UNLV can hang enough to even be a bottom 3rd team, and to see if UNLV can capture enough excitement of our very good second tier market. Moderate success and decent support in some ways have been the missing piece.

Tickets can be reasonable, there are work arounds for the terrible parking, and there are a lot of winnable games on the schedule this year. Oh yeah both the offense and the defense have a chance to be pretty exciting.

In also think basketball has a chance to have a fun, relative break out year, but really football does matter a lot more. If you can only afford one, pick football


UNLV no history, the majority of its fans are basketball only. I get that. But even as a basketball fan, getting into a better conference will ultimately help basketball tremendously. Show up for football to help basketball

You may not think they deserve your support, and I do understand if you feel this way. But if you are on this site, you care, even just a little. Just one year do what you can to show up if you do care. This window may close this season or even sooner than that, we will see. This could be a make or break year, please do what you can to help.

Crowds do help BTW, home field advantages are a thing when decent, rowdy crowds.


Thanks and Go Rebels!

 

[1Tripoda]

Well said, imagine the atmosphere it will creates in Vegas. Young people love winners and old farts love to support them because of how it remind them of their youths.

 

[Meister_Rebel]

When I lived in Vegas I had season tickets. Never missed a game. I'll go to a game when they come to Colorado at CSU or at the Academy.

All I can do at this point is make my annual donation. Some of us support in ways we can. Love my Rebels.

 

[WarthogRebel]

"there are work arounds for the terrible parking"

Such as?

 

[RebelScrub]

Just park behind the in n out ant UNLV campus and take the bus in.

Bus ride is free.

 

[rebelwithacause]

Now is the time to go out and support these Rebels, especially football.

We have a lot of Rebel fans that almost take pride in the fact that they don't go to games or give the school money. I get it. It is a protest to the way things have gone, and they have not gone well. I get it.

But this is the year to break protest and try to show up.

There is a very small window that may be open, and it is still open, for UNLV to upgrade it's profile to try to get in with the big boys. The only thing holding it back is success (easier said than done) and fan support.

UNLV has put their money where there mouth is with football. They sent money on a legit SEC coach, the most in conference history to get this done. There are more reasons than ever to hope for a good year.

These conference just want to see if UNLV can hang enough to even be a bottom 3rd team, and to see if UNLV can capture enough excitement of our very good second tier market. Moderate success and decent support in some ways have been the missing piece.

Tickets can be reasonable, there are work arounds for the terrible parking, and there are a lot of winnable games on the schedule this year. Oh yeah both the offense and the defense have a chance to be pretty exciting.

In also think basketball has a chance to have a fun, relative break out year, but really football does matter a lot more. If you can only afford one, pick football


UNLV no history, the majority of its fans are basketball only. I get that. But even as a basketball fan, getting into a better conference will ultimately help basketball tremendously. Show up for football to help basketball

You may not think they deserve your support, and I do understand if you feel this way. But if you are on this site, you care, even just a little. Just one year do what you can to show up if you do care. This window may close this season or even sooner than that, we will see. This could be a make or break year, please do what you can to help.

Crowds do help BTW, home field advantages are a thing when decent, rowdy crowds.


Thanks and Go Rebels!

RAh Rah RAH - SOUNDS GREAT - but you are talking to people who live in Las Vegas. A Fickle transparent fan base that has NEVER packed a stadium in Las Vegas for the Rebels EVER, let a lone a big ass Stadium with NO tradition and a shit- ton of competition in Town for options.

There is only 1 way to have the crowds show up before the Wins do

Hire NEON DEON for your coach

...LOl seriously bro

You know how it works - win and they will come - nobody wants to wear paper bags over their heads with holes cut out so they can see.

While I love your passion - You are alone in your thinking in terms how "rebels fans think" - The masses do not agree with your perspective- You are what is called a DIEHARD.. Most fans don't have the attachment you do with emotion so they will not sacrifice. Win and they will come. And even still its going to take a lot of convincing (winning) to pack a UNLV stadium.

 

[bcvegaspt]

I love all of these out of state fans telling us that we need to attend games, like we haven't done that for years. Us attending them as locals works the same as us telling you to fly in to attend the games since we are all such "devoted fans."

See you there?

 

[Meister_Rebel]

I love all of these out of state fans telling us that we need to attend games, like we haven't done that for years. Us attending them as locals works the same as us telling you to fly in to attend the games since we are all such "devoted fans."

See you there?

I live out of state but, I'm not one to tell anyone what to do. And, in my earlier post I didn't.

 

[j. spilotro]

I love all of these out of state fans telling us that we need to attend games, like we haven't done that for years. Us attending them as locals works the same as us telling you to fly in to attend the games since we are all such "devoted fans."

See you there?

At some point, the school has to do something. Football has rarely attracted fans, but gasp, when it did get some fans in seats, it was because of success.

Basketball was the hot ticket, the only thing in town, sorta like the VGK right now.

To be honest, Tark built things so strongly … that UNLV feasted on fan loyalty without providing substance far longer than I expected. Look at USF, DePaul …. They didn’t get a couple decades of loyalty after experiencing success, the fanbase shriveled to nothing in no time. But at UNLV, it dropped, but not so steadily and the die hard segment was large enough to carry through tougher times. But when that fanbase starts getting chipped away at with more and more force and the die hards start dropping off … at some point, finger has to be pointed at the university itself.

I suspect the Rebels will get a decent crowd Saturday … new coach, new style, new hope. But if they don’t give the fans something to rally around … it’ll plateau quickly and then drop. That’s not special insight, that’s just the way it goes around here, probably most places.

I’ve been on a game by game basis for football and basketball for a couple of years now. A lot of it has been work/Covid impact at work (her and I are both HCW in a depleted field) … and having the younger kids and having a relatively strict regimen with them.

So if I can make it to the games, I go, if not, I’ll watch on TV. There was a shift in priorities that would have occurred regardless of Rebel success/failure … but making it an exciting home atmosphere would have made me fought harder to juggle things around (even though that can be a near impossibility at times).

Not directing this at any person in particular, but I’ve noticed that the fans (not just UNLV fans) who want the strongest crowds, the fans who cheerlead the loudest … a lot of the time they are the fans who don’t participate in the things they advocate.

For Saturday, my full intentions are to be there. It’s an early kick which is ideal with my kids … things are always tentative with my line of work (staffing levels) but a couple very recent deaths of coworkers in my department have made all plans even more tentative for a few people, myself and my girl included.

 

[rebelzzz]

I love all of these out of state fans telling us that we need to attend games, like we haven't done that for years. Us attending them as locals works the same as us telling you to fly in to attend the games since we are all such "devoted fans."

See you there?

I usually travel to Vegas for 1-2 games a year and usually go to 1-2 away games a year. But I have not been to a football game since covid. I am hoping to make a couple this year. But have always continued with my donations to the athletic department.
As mentioned above UNLV will not even come close to packing the stadium until they start winning. Hoping this might be the year to start turning things around but guess we will see.

 

[j. spilotro]

I usually travel to Vegas for 1-2 games a year and usually go to 1-2 away games a year. But I have not been to a football game since covid. I am hoping to make a couple this year. But have always continued with my donations to the athletic department.
As mentioned above UNLV will not even come close to packing the stadium until they start winning. Hoping this might be the year to start turning things around but guess we will see.

Over the past 10 or so years, regardless of sport … the Odom hire has been the one I have the most confidence in. That doesn’t mean it will translate to anything great … but especially with football, the department and management of so many aspects is so damn vast … I think having somebody who has handled all aspects of it previously is paramount.

I think that’s a reason we haven’t sniffed success since JRob.

 

[220reb]

This year does feel different. I believe this team is more physical than I can ever remember. I am really looking forward to seeing how we Defend the run game. The Secondary looks fast and may be able to force turnovers. This weekend should be fun.

 

[j. spilotro]

This year does feel different. I believe this team is more physical than I can ever remember. I am really looking forward to seeing how we Defend the run game. The Secondary looks fast and may be able to force turnovers. This weekend should be fun.

I’m thinking so too. It just feels more right. I’m not one to cave to feelings or think that my, your, sportswriters, etc … warm and fuzzy feelings actually matter. But it does give a little bit of confidence but more than that, it generates some excitement and gives you something to look forward to at the start. Of course that can collapse

 

[ckfitz]

I’m thinking so too. It just feels more right. I’m not one to cave to feelings or think that my, your, sportswriters, etc … warm and fuzzy feelings actually matter. But it does give a little bit of confidence but more than that, it generates some excitement and gives you something to look forward to at the start. Of course that can collapse

Joe, I try to follow the team but it seems that this year information is almost totally absent. I know that you and fellow posters seem to be more optimistic but, I'm wondering, where do you get your information from? I am also very much looking forward to seeing how we do and really hope we can have a breakout year!

 

[j. spilotro]

Joe, I try to follow the team but it seems that this year information is almost totally absent. I know that you and fellow posters seem to be more optimistic but, I'm wondering, where do you get your information from? I am also very much looking forward to seeing how we do and really hope we can have a breakout year!

I just get bits and pieces in talking with people in the know, like with basketball. Not nearly as much with basketball as previously.

There’s just a different vibe, more serious, more accountability. I’m hoping it translates.

These people were spot on with Arroyo and Sanchez. Never high, problematic personalities, divisive.

Plus, and this is a bit hypocritical in my part because I loathe recruiting rankings as the only barometer … I like seeing with my own eyes. But recruiting has been impressive, relatively speaking.

But a lot does come from the belief that with football, experience on the sidelines, from top to bottom, matters immensely and I think we have that.

And I don’t think it’s going to be a magical year, I do think it will take time, but I do think even in year one, we will see a vast improvement from the Arroyo and Sanchez days. I’m hopeful that Odom puts that “slow growth” philosophy to bed as far as UNLV goes, even though it takes more time to flip football than it does for basketball.

 

[WarthogRebel]

I just get bits and pieces in talking with people in the know, like with basketball. Not nearly as much with basketball as previously.

There’s just a different vibe, more serious, more accountability. I’m hoping it translates.

These people were spot on with Arroyo and Sanchez. Never high, problematic personalities, divisive.

Plus, and this is a bit hypocritical in my part because I loathe recruiting rankings as the only barometer … I like seeing with my own eyes. But recruiting has been impressive, relatively speaking.

But a lot does come from the belief that with football, experience on the sidelines, from top to bottom, matters immensely and I think we have that.

And I don’t think it’s going to be a magical year, I do think it will take time, but I do think even in year one, we will see a vast improvement from the Arroyo and Sanchez days. I’m hopeful that Odom puts that “slow growth” philosophy to bed as far as UNLV goes, even though it takes more time to flip football than it does for basketball.

"And I don’t think it’s going to be a magical year.."

For me, six wins is magical.

 

[j. spilotro]

"And I don’t think it’s going to be a magical year.."

For me, six wins is magical.

I stand corrected then. I think it will be a magical year then.

 

[1Tripoda]

I stand corrected then. I think it will be a magical year then.

Are you making fun of your elders, Joe? Where the heck is Bull? Bull, we have a good team this year.

 

[j. spilotro]

Are you making fun of your elders, Joe? Where the heck is Bull? Bull, we have a good team this year.

Nah.

But think about it. When we started up with all this, we were in our 20’s. And now we are elders. Lol.

 

[dcut03]

I love all of these out of state fans telling us that we need to attend games, like we haven't done that for years. Us attending them as locals works the same as us telling you to fly in to attend the games since we are all such "devoted fans."

See you there?

Come on BC.

I fly in and attend at least one football game and one basketball game every season. I have been to nearly every away football and basketball game in the state of Texas the past 20 years, including our last bowl game.

Does what I say have any less merit?

The point is if you actually cared about this team and you haven't been going to games out of protest, but still love talking and or lurking on a fan site, this is the time to support if you actually want UNLV to succeed on any level.

And sure every person on rebel net would be a drop in the gigantic bucket that is Allegiant stadium. But if the biggest "fans" won't go to games, or do what it takes to help support their apparent favorite team, then what's the point?

Honestly if you get offended by what I say, it probably means something. Then you actually do care and you know I am right.

...and bTW that isn't necessary directed at you personally, since I know you do support (at least I assume you do).

 

[bcvegaspt]

I live out of state but, I'm not one to tell anyone what to do. And, in my earlier post I didn't.

I wasn’t directing my comment at anyone specifically, just that it’s frustrating when you had season tickets to basketball for 20 years and went to almost every home game during that time, that, just because I’m local, I need to attend more sporting events because now is the crucial time. As if the last 20+ years weren’t.

@dcut03 sorry if you thought I was coming at you, too. Just that I see these comments annually and I guess that I’m pissed that I had to deal with all the time commitment and listening to a loud ass DJ every game that I couldn’t stand at all, only to continue to be left behind in conference realignment.

At this point of my fandom, watching on tv is as “devoted” as I am. Going to games, dealing with the traffic to and from, investing that much time to my school, staying up late because of late start times only to have to work early the next day… Nah, I’m good.

Of course I love our school as much as the rest of you do, I just no longer feel compelled to put it above the wellbeing of myself and my immediate family. If I miss parts of games because they start late, that’s the school’s fault, not mine. Make them more accessible to me.

End of my long rant.

 

[Rebels_88]

RAh Rah RAH - SOUNDS GREAT - but you are talking to people who live in Las Vegas. A Fickle transparent fan base that has NEVER packed a stadium in Las Vegas for the Rebels EVER, let a lone a big ass Stadium with NO tradition and a shit- ton of competition in Town for options.

Bullsh*t. 7 Nights of Dynamite. Early 80s with Sam King set the stadium record (at the time) 3 games in a row. Most of that is true about it being a fickle crowd at best with us diehards. But the fans have come when there was something worthwhile. Gotta start somewhere, this is our latest best hope.

 

[unlvlurker]

Anywhere to park and walk I don’t mine walk-in a mile or so if I have to? Going Saturday

 

[RebelScrub]

Anywhere to park and walk I don’t mine walk-in a mile or so if I have to? Going Saturday

It is hot as ****..110 degrees. I went to my cousins house using the bus.

Dude, I walked from Wynn Casino to my apartment tonight at night. Holy f’n shit. I do not recommend. Passed by the Sphere. The 203 bus is closed after 2 AM.

We need to get Suge Knight’s Jersey retired. #54 which adds up to 9 and 9 upside down = is 6 or B. Short for blood.

Dude let’s sell UNLV jerseys, not #12

 

[WarthogRebel]

Anywhere to park and walk I don’t mine walk-in a mile or so if I have to? Going Saturday

Free Oyo garage, Free Trop outside, MGM garage

 

[unlvlurker]

Thank you will check those out.

 

[j. spilotro]

Come on BC.

I fly in and attend at least one football game and one basketball game every season. I have been to nearly every away football and basketball game in the state of Texas the past 20 years, including our last bowl game.

Does what I say have any less merit?

The point is if you actually cared about this team and you haven't been going to games out of protest, but still love talking and or lurking on a fan site, this is the time to support if you actually want UNLV to succeed on any level.

And sure every person on rebel net would be a drop in the gigantic bucket that is Allegiant stadium. But if the biggest "fans" won't go to games, or do what it takes to help support their apparent favorite team, then what's the point?

Honestly if you get offended by what I say, it probably means something. Then you actually do care and you know I am right.

...and bTW that isn't necessary directed at you personally, since I know you do support (at least I assume you do).

I don’t think there are many fans anymore that decline going to games as a protest. I do think that was a thing for certain at one point. But when you look at the duration of our futility and how far we’ve fallen … I think most have just moved on completely.

I say this from absolute experience.

There were many hoops fans that did protest and waited for UNLV to right things. They wanted to come back but they wanted some proof first. There was an absolute correlation with how close to the Tark era to the number of fans like that. But that dwindled in time, UNLV did the bare minimum, some coaches attempted and recaptured some for a brief period before they disappeared, as you say, “in protest”. But at some point along the lines, they called it quits. I know this because I know a ton of fans from over the years and I’d say a good 70-80% are “done”. It’s not an anger thing at all. They just found other things to occupy their time. They aren’t screaming about UNLV this, that or the other. That’s why I say emotion, even anger, is better than apathy. Apathy kills.

I know a few like me that go when they can, when it’s convenient, when it fits in, but mostly, people either “go all the time” (and those people are very few now, from the many fans I’ve known) or they’ve called it quits completely and UNLV is just a distant memory. Would they return if UNLV got their shit together? I can’t say how they’d react but my inclination is no, most won’t; it’s a closed chapter in their life. The abysmal attendance numbers reflect that. So many games over the past handful of years where the attendance numbers were smaller than previous exhibition games, I’m talking in the 1 to 2K range. I’d never consider that a possibility previously.

UNLV is very unique so this kind of thing doesn’t surprise me. You’re going to be hard pressed to find a school that dominated and was characterized by a galvanizing loyalty to a school that’s become closer to a doormat. There are a lot of things that go into that (lack of success, city growth and professional teams, an admin that ignores our past glory, etc). Ive used DePaul and USF as examples of prominent programs that fell off the face of the earth with fan support. Their fan support dropped far, far more quickly than UNLV’s. So I do think UNLV fans have been more than patient. For football and hoops. If you gamble with slow growth and it doesn’t materialize, you obliterate a fan base like this. UNLV has killed themselves with it. UNLV has absolutely failed in understanding their customer/fanbase.

 

[ckfitz]

I just get bits and pieces in talking with people in the know, like with basketball. Not nearly as much with basketball as previously.

There’s just a different vibe, more serious, more accountability. I’m hoping it translates.

These people were spot on with Arroyo and Sanchez. Never high, problematic personalities, divisive.

Plus, and this is a bit hypocritical in my part because I loathe recruiting rankings as the only barometer … I like seeing with my own eyes. But recruiting has been impressive, relatively speaking.

But a lot does come from the belief that with football, experience on the sidelines, from top to bottom, matters immensely and I think we have that.

And I don’t think it’s going to be a magical year, I do think it will take time, but I do think even in year one, we will see a vast improvement from the Arroyo and Sanchez days. I’m hopeful that Odom puts that “slow growth” philosophy to bed as far as UNLV goes, even though it takes more time to flip football than it does for basketball.

Thank you very much.

 

[LVRebel2000]

UNLV really needs to try to fire up the students to get them to games. Especially basketball which is on campus, but make football as easy as possible too. That's the easiest way to quickly increase the attendance. Yeah, it won't make a huge difference in terms of money, but it will fill seats and make the games louder and more fun for those that go. But yeah, you have to put out a good product, which it appears we will this year.

 

[reagan21]

Anywhere to park and walk I don’t mine walk-in a mile or so if I have to? Going Saturday

I, like an idiot, bought an extra parking pass. I'll sell you my extra one.

 

[j. spilotro]

UNLV really needs to try to fire up the students to get them to games. Especially basketball which is on campus, but make football as easy as possible too. That's the easiest way to quickly increase the attendance. Yeah, it won't make a huge difference in terms of money, but it will fill seats and make the games louder and more fun for those that go. But yeah, you have to put out a good product, which it appears we will this year.

I really do think that’s the first step. The general populace is more apathetic. Students come and go … you have to build with the student body. If you can, you are putting a couple thousand in the seats regularly. I think Lon Kruger rallied the troops pretty well and got it going, then with Rice and the Rebellion, it peaked. Build some sort of hierarchy within the group, establish a foundation, pass off positions in that hierarchy to younger students as they graduate and just keep it rolling forward with newly established traditions and then add some new ones.

But UNLV didn’t want help from Uncle Rico (the money behind the Rebellion, it costs more than you think with dollars and resources, time) … UNLV wanted to take it over. Well, they did. And it died immediately. It aggravates me because the idea was good, it was working …. Everyone had pride, gasp, actual pride in it … it’s whatever, it’s typical UNLV.

Some people here know, they were involved. Don’t know if they’re as disappointed with it as I am, I thought we had a good thing going.

 

[Masked_rebel]

I really do think that’s the first step. The general populace is more apathetic. Students come and go … you have to build with the student body. If you can, you are putting a couple thousand in the seats regularly. I think Lon Kruger rallied the troops pretty well and got it going, then with Rice and the Rebellion, it peaked. Build some sort of hierarchy within the group, establish a foundation, pass off positions in that hierarchy to younger students as they graduate and just keep it rolling forward with newly established traditions and then add some new ones.

But UNLV didn’t want help from Uncle Rico (the money behind the Rebellion, it costs more than you think with dollars and resources, time) … UNLV wanted to take it over. Well, they did. And it died immediately. It aggravates me because the idea was good, it was working …. Everyone had pride, gasp, actual pride in it … it’s whatever, it’s typical UNLV.

Some people here know, they were involved. Don’t know if they’re as disappointed with it as I am, I thought we had a good thing going.

There are a few friends and acquaintances that could provide such a deeper insight into the eventual fall, but the student government didnt help... When I worked with them, I tried to work hand in hand with some of the Rebellion leaders as well as trying my best to be an active participant with them. By the end of my last year, I could see the almost "jealous greed" that CSUN had in the Rebellion from a student life perspective and their disfunction as a whole along trying to control an independent organization was a disaster. Didnt really surprise me when Athletics tried to co-op it and take it over as well, and like all things during that stretch, they really killed the organic nature and the student born leadership. Sucks, because I have friends and know so many of the people that worked really hard to create a strong student presence at athletic events.

 

[reagan21]

There are a few friends and acquaintances that could provide such a deeper insight into the eventual fall, but the student government didnt help... When I worked with them, I tried to work hand in hand with some of the Rebellion leaders as well as trying my best to be an active participant with them. By the end of my last year, I could see the almost "jealous greed" that CSUN had in the Rebellion from a student life perspective and their disfunction as a whole along trying to control an independent organization was a disaster. Didnt really surprise me when Athletics tried to co-op it and take it over as well, and like all things during that stretch, they really killed the organic nature and the student born leadership. Sucks, because I have friends and know so many of the people that worked really hard to create a strong student presence at athletic events.

you guys did a helluva job, no matter how annoying I thought Ben was. I kid, I kid. The organic nature of it is why it was successful. The organization was run well which is why the financial backing was there. UNLV like any other governmental life sucker, destroyed it. Joe and I sit next to the student section at basketball games. It's sad to see 2 sections of empty seats every game. Are the rojos still around? They're probably all retired and have nothing else to do. Get them to the games.

 

[lvrebalum2012]

It is hot as ****..110 degrees. I went to my cousins house using the bus.

Dude, I walked from Wynn Casino to my apartment tonight at night. Holy f’n shit. I do not recommend. Passed by the Sphere. The 203 bus is closed after 2 AM.

We need to get Suge Knight’s Jersey retired. #54 which adds up to 9 and 9 upside down = is 6 or B. Short for blood.

Dude let’s sell UNLV jerseys, not #12

Saturday may see some rain, but temperatures shouldn’t be an issue. Might not even reach 90

 

[j. spilotro]

you guys did a helluva job, no matter how annoying I thought Ben was. I kid, I kid. The organic nature of it is why it was successful. The organization was run well which is why the financial backing was there. UNLV like any other governmental life sucker, destroyed it. Joe and I sit next to the student section at basketball games. It's sad to see 2 sections of empty seats every game. Are the rojos still around? They're probably all retired and have nothing else to do. Get them to the games.

They were enthusiastic, had a vision, were creative and had pride in UNLV. That doesn’t grow on trees anymore. You harness it, nurture it, let it grow … I’m super appreciative of what they brought to games. They seriously enhanced the atmosphere at the Mack and it’s been lifeless since.

 

[LVRebel2000]

They were enthusiastic, had a vision, were creative and had pride in UNLV. That doesn’t grow on trees anymore. You harness it, nurture it, let it grow … I’m super appreciative of what they brought to games. They seriously enhanced the atmosphere at the Mack and it’s been lifeless since.

Yeah, those games were a lot of fun. The team was exciting, and the home crowds were great. Hopefully we can get back to that at some point.

 

[j. spilotro]

Yeah, those games were a lot of fun. The team was exciting, and the home crowds were great. Hopefully we can get back to that at some point.

One of the guys here was vital with the 3D fatheads (I think it was the seniors, Jhawk, Marshall and Lopez?), Khem Kong, A. Beast and Mozilla. I remember when Moser was hurt and we played at Portland, a group of 20 plus of us stopped at his mom’s ice cream shop and we either had or later sent the Mozilla to her. She said she was going to put it up in the shop.

Those things took quite some time to produce.

What I loved about it was the pride and unity. To me, that was as important to the home court atmosphere as actual wins. When things were right, chills would run deep and you beam in the environment, swell with pride. Felt it heavily during the Tark years, the WACT run, the MWCT runs, marquee wins against ranked teams … and the thing is, that feeling persists from that time forward, for awhile … it builds anticipation, keeps you on edge …. When it fades to nothing, it’s a terrible, terrible feeling.

 

[rebswin2]

One of the guys here was vital with the 3D fatheads (I think it was the seniors, Jhawk, Marshall and Lopez?), Khem Kong, A. Beast and Mozilla. I remember when Moser was hurt and we played at Portland, a group of 20 plus of us stopped at his mom’s ice cream shop and we either had or later sent the Mozilla to her. She said she was going to put it up in the shop.

Those things took quite some time to produce.

What I loved about it was the pride and unity. To me, that was as important to the home court atmosphere as actual wins. When things were right, chills would run deep and you beam in the environment, swell with pride. Felt it heavily during the Tark years, the WACT run, the MWCT runs, marquee wins against ranked teams … and the thing is, that feeling persists from that time forward, for awhile … it builds anticipation, keeps you on edge …. When it fades to nothing, it’s a terrible, terrible feeling.

I had season tickets those years although I lived in San Diego. I’d come up for basically every Sat game, some of the 1pm games I’d fly up and back same day.

 

[dcut03]

I don’t think there are many fans anymore that decline going to games as a protest. I do think that was a thing for certain at one point. But when you look at the duration of our futility and how far we’ve fallen … I think most have just moved on completely.

I say this from absolute experience.

There were many hoops fans that did protest and waited for UNLV to right things. They wanted to come back but they wanted some proof first. There was an absolute correlation with how close to the Tark era to the number of fans like that. But that dwindled in time, UNLV did the bare minimum, some coaches attempted and recaptured some for a brief period before they disappeared, as you say, “in protest”. But at some point along the lines, they called it quits. I know this because I know a ton of fans from over the years and I’d say a good 70-80% are “done”. It’s not an anger thing at all. They just found other things to occupy their time. They aren’t screaming about UNLV this, that or the other. That’s why I say emotion, even anger, is better than apathy. Apathy kills.

I know a few like me that go when they can, when it’s convenient, when it fits in, but mostly, people either “go all the time” (and those people are very few now, from the many fans I’ve known) or they’ve called it quits completely and UNLV is just a distant memory. Would they return if UNLV got their shit together? I can’t say how they’d react but my inclination is no, most won’t; it’s a closed chapter in their life. The abysmal attendance numbers reflect that. So many games over the past handful of years where the attendance numbers were smaller than previous exhibition games, I’m talking in the 1 to 2K range. I’d never consider that a possibility previously.

This is why I call it out.

There are fans that don't go to games. But are still fans. They are on this site and others. They complain a lot, but still care. Because they are on these sites.

We all fall in and out of things. I certainly do. But I don't frequent message boards and websites about things I used to care about.

I get being in the "wait and see" mode, again that is the point of the call out.

Because I still think that window is open a sliver. Whether the PAC decides to build for scratch and has to wait a year to invite MW teams, or even the Big 12 who are not in a hurry but may want to expand again in a year.

It matter because fan support specifically is a big reason that there is hesitation to inviting UNLV. Penetration in this market.

And am just asking to do what you can. Sure I would love for all Rebel fans to go out and get season tickets. But actually attending the games that you can that are within your means for one season as much as you can. And specifically football for the greater good.

Success is a chicken or egg thing, because home field advantages certainly are a thing, especially in college sports. Bigger crowd do help success.

I have felt this way for the past few years, but this year is different to me. The past few years were speculation, but it is a reality with the PAC being completely obliterated. Its no long and if, it is when, and the time is now.

In terms of administration, Harp isn't effing around. I really like what he has done. Truthfully I did not agree with firing Arroyo based on principle, but I think we are in a much better place right now because of it.

Kruger is likely on the hot seat too, and he definitely did play around with the offseason either.


You can feel that our programs can tell it is put up or shut up mode. I would like the fans to sense that too, and have a few more people show up early in the season. Even just to show the college landscape that there is something here.

 

[unlvlurker]

How’s Tropicana garage with flooding when it rains?