Poll - Bigger Event!
- Thread starter j-vegian
- Start date
I’d say 1990 championship, not because it’s near and dear to my heart, but because Vegas was so much smaller back then, true community in comparison, and a larger percentage of the population was dialed in to what was going on. Might not be as big nationally or even by sheer number, but by concentration/per capita, the UNLV championship would dwarf it.
Plus, nature of the small community, the community at large felt like they were family with the program. They were celebs, of course, but they were us. You’d see the guys and coaches out and about rubbing elbows with every day joes. They weren’t above. Not saying the hockey team is or act that way, I don’t know, but the intimacy was stronger with the Rebels, even if the event might not be. Plus, we had a long history, the program had a personality that gripped us before the championship, we were vested. We grew together.
Don’t know if that makes sense, but it’s how I feel.
Good topic though.
Excellent take, Joe. At first look, I must confess, I thought it would be a slam dunk for the NC. But I’m a 42-year Las Vegan, and if the poll was comprised of exclusively long-time residents, I’m fairly certain that would be the case.
Like you said, they were our guys. Not just as players, but as home-boys. Prior to 1989, I was a casino employee, which limited my access a bit. But the ’77 team sold me on the Rebels. It wasn.t just that they were successful. It was more that they were just so exciting, and the whole “outlaw” reputation of the program, made it a total “us against them” feeling. We were the bad boys of the NCAA, and we loved it.. But after '89, I started driving a cab, and being out and about afforded me opportunities to cross paths with the players, and even more so, Tark.
I would see him from time to time coming from various casinos, and at Piero’s, his favorite restaurant. More than once, I got a chance to chat with the Coach about various aspects of the latest game, or some other Rebel-related topic.
Believe me, I’m fully aware that he was humoring me by listening to my input, but the point was, he was nice enough to take the time to listen to what some local cab driver had to say. It made me feel connected.
I just can’t imagine any similar experience with Golden Knights personnel. Of course, a Cup-win will be huge for the city, as well. Just not quite so personal. So my vote must go to the Rebels. Winning it all was, and will remain, one of the greatest moments of a life of following sports.
Go Rebels!
Great takes. UNLV's championship will remain for sure the highlight of my life when it comes to sports. However, I just can't help but think a Stanley Cup championship could amount to be a slightly bigger deal nationally. No one in their right mind would have predicted that the VGKs would be this good this quickly. I still think it is a long shot, but it would be amazing if they can pull it off. It might bring back some of that old Vegas pride that we haven't seen in a very long time.
UNLV's championship was a completely different animal. It was 20 years in the making of finally reaching the top after being close so many times before.
UNLV's championship was a completely different animal. It was 20 years in the making of finally reaching the top after being close so many times before.
Nationally, the bigger deal would be the Cup. Locally, the bigger deal is the Rebels, IMO, for the reasons stated... based on town size and all that other jazz.
I was just a kid, in first grade I think, when the Rebels won we all piled in the Crown Victoria and drove up and down the strip with family friends. That was a crazy night that I still remember.
But I may have to vote the Golden Knights for the whole Oct. 1st, Vegas Strong situation. It seemed like the Knights were able to bring our city together after that. Regardless of the Stanley Cup or not they are Vegas' team right now.
But I may have to vote the Golden Knights for the whole Oct. 1st, Vegas Strong situation. It seemed like the Knights were able to bring our city together after that. Regardless of the Stanley Cup or not they are Vegas' team right now.
I think the Knights going on a deep playoff run will bigger. Team is already getting support around town like I never would have expected.
The 1990 Championship team unified the city like nothing I've ever seen since. They were the culmination of over a decade of Tark battling the NCAA and the fans battling the haters. The Knights don't have that history of tradition and the building of a loyal fanbase. We LOVED the Rebels. It isn't the same with the Knights.
Has an expansion team in any pro league won it all their first season? I'm thinking that would be huge, and rather historic. Agree probably not the same feeling as Rebel Championship, but still huge.
That said.... go Capitals!
That said.... go Capitals!
I voted NC because, and I hate to say this, hockey is still pretty much a niche' sport. You would be surprised to hear how many people still don't understand that Vegas has an NHL team. 20 years from now? Who's to say? The UNLV run to the NC impacted this city and sports as a whole greatly. Here we are, most of us, fans of a program that is a shell of itself 27 years later.....
