Hello Rebel fans,

The Mountain West Conference keeps getting healthier. UNLV Now keeps moving forward. The Rebel Girls are national champions. And the Runnin' Rebels and the rest of the men's basketball conference keeps getting national attention for being one of the best conferences in the nation. But with all of that good news recently for our UNLV faithful, the best news about our Rebels came from their Fall performance in the classroom. It's definitely a great time to be a Rebel - and I think you'll agree:


REBELS EXCELLING IN CLASSROOM

David Jackson and his team of Rebels were all-conference level performers this Fall. David heads our team of academic advisors and works closely with our student-athletes - and coaches - to help our young men and women work towards obtaining degrees. Check out some of the highlights from the recently concluded semester:

• 12 of the 17 (71 percent) sports programs have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or greater after the term. Women's Soccer has the highest cumulative average of all the teams with a 3.52. The other teams are, in no particular order, Baseball, Men's Golf, Women's Golf, Softball, Men's Tennis, Women's Tennis, Track & Field (indoor and outdoor), Cross Country and Women's Swimming & Diving. 14 of the 17 programs have a cumulative average higher than 2.8.
  
  
• Individually, 53 percent of UNLV student-athletes have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher and 54 percent had a semester GPA of 3.0 or higher.
  
  
• 91 student-athletes were named to the dean's list, which requires a semester GPA greater than 3.5.
  
  
• After the Fall semester in 2011, no Runnin' Rebel student-athlete had a cumulative GPA above 3.0, but after the Fall 2012 semester, 53 percent of the team carried a 3.0 or greater cumulative GPA. Barry Cheaney, Savon Goodman and Katin Reinhardt led the way making the Dean's Honor List.
  
  
• Freshman redshirt Tyler Bergsten from Football, sophomore Matt Roe from Men's Swimming, senior Caitlin Allen, junior Courtney Botelho, freshman Addy Guida and junior Kylie Wassell, all from Women's Soccer, senior Lauren Petersen from Track & Field, freshman Bree Hammel from Volleyball and freshman Lauren Erickson, senior Edith Feld and junior Jessica Heim from Women's Swimming & Diving all turned in perfect 4.0 semesters. Wassell and Erickson boast a 4.0 cumulative GPA. Former athletes Jessica O'Connor, Amber Petersen and Stephanie Schafer also finished the semester with a 4.0.
  
  
• The cumulative GPA of all UNLV student-athletes is a 2.99. Be proud, Rebel fans. These young men and women are representing our university well.
  

REBEL GIRLS WIN NATIONAL TITLE

For years, the Rebel Girls dance squad has been one of the most popular programs at UNLV. Now, they are one of the most decorated. The Rebel Girls captured a national title last week at the 2013 College Dance Team National Championships in Orlando. The national title came in Hip Hop as they edged perennial powers LSU and Cincinnati. The Rebel Girls also finished third in the nation in the Pom category, behind only Minnesota and Cincinnati. The team performed competition routines for our fans at recent Runnin' Rebel games and, if you saw them, you understand just how good they are. Congratulations to coach Marca Decastroverde - a former Rebel Girl and a UNLV grad - and her entire team... Last year, UNLV Cheer captured a national title in stunting. We're proud to have some of the top spirit groups in the nation right here in Las Vegas.


MW ONE OF THE TOP BASKETBALL CONFERENCES IN AMERICA

For years, many of us have known just how good the Mountain West is when it comes to men's basketball. This season, the entire nation is noticing as the league is enjoying its most-competitive season ever. Currently six (Boise State, Colorado State, New Mexico, San Diego State, UNLV and Wyoming) of our nine teams are in the discussion for at-large bids into the NCAA Tournament. As ESPN.com's Myron Medcalf wrote about the Mountain West on Saturday night, "Hell of a league." Sometimes the truth is simple. Check out this story from ESPN.com on just how competitive the league is this season and why every game will be a battle... This gets me pumped for tonight's game at The Mack vs. the Cowboys of Wyoming. Hope to see you there as we tip at 6:15 p.m. After having the most-challenging schedule in the league the first quarter of conference play (with three of the toughest road tests in America), I'm excited for our guys to return home. I'm sure you are, too.


FRIDAY, FEB. 1 DEADLINE - MWC BASKETBALL TOURNEY TICKETS

While we're on the subject of the greatest men's basketball season in Mountain West history... Season ticket holders wishing to purchase tickets from UNLV's allotment to the 2013 Mountain West Basketball Championships at the Thomas & Mack Center (March 12-16) are reminded that the deadline to request tickets is Friday, Feb. 1. Please visit this link for all of the details. Don't delay.


RENEWAL TIME - MEN'S BASKETBALL, FOOTBALL & RAF

It's that time of the year again. Keep an eye out in your email in-box for renewal information for Runnin' Rebel & Rebel Football season tickets as well as your Rebel Athletic Fund membership for 2013-14. Online notices are currently being sent out.

Ticketing invoices/applications are available to view and renew at: www.unlvtickets.com/renewals. Renew your RAF membership by visiting: unlv.donornetpac.com. Paper renewals for all three will be mailed in early April... The deadline for all three renewals is JUNE 1st, 2013. Non-payment of your priority and full ticketing amount by the deadline will result in the loss of your season tickets. Payment plan options are available. Fans renewing prior to the March 1st early renewal deadline will receive $20 off each processing fee for football and/or men's basketball season tickets (regularly $30). Early renewals will also receive a chance to win great UNLV prizes including apparel, use of suites and unique UNLV fan experiences. For questions regarding your RAF membership, call (702) 895-1533. For ticketing call (702) 739-FANS (3267).


UNIQUE RUNNIN' REBEL ROAD GAME TRAVEL EXPERIENCES

Spots are still available on two special trips to watch the Runnin' Rebels play at Fresno State (Wednesday, Feb. 6) and at Air Force (Wednesday, Feb. 13). Flights will leave Las Vegas on Allegiant Air in the early afternoon the day of the game and return to Las Vegas that same night following the game. (Fresno State: $220 roundtrip plus fees departing LV at 2:30 p.m. and departing Fresno at 10:30 p.m.; Air Force: $256 roundtrip plus fees departing LV at 2 p.m. and departing Colorado Springs at 11:30 p.m.) Ground transportation is included to and from the game.) Visit www.AllegiantAir.com to book your flights. (For the trip to Air Force, the destination for booking is Colorado Springs.) Once you book your flight, call the Rebel Athletic Fund at (702) 895-1533 to reserve your game tickets... Not only does this Runnin' Rebel Flight Package allow fans a unique opportunity to travel to road games, the team will be returning to Las Vegas on both return flights allowing the student-athletes to attend classes the following day.


ANOTHER REBEL TO MAKE PGA TOUR DEBUT

Former UNLV men's golfer Jeremiah Wooding will have a tee time at the PGA's Northern Trust Open. The 2011 UNLV grad was awarded with the 2013 Northern Trust Open Exemption and will make his first career start on the PGA TOUR next month. The annual exemption provides an opportunity for a top golfer who represents the advancement of diversity in golf and wouldn't otherwise be eligible to compete in the event, which is held in Pacific Palisades, Calif., at the Riviera Country Club February 12-17.



RAF MATCHING GIFT PROGRAM - ARE YOU ELIGIBLE?

Did you know you may be able to double your support as a UNLV Rebel donor through your company's matching gift benefit? Some companies will match your charitable contribution to UNLV Athletics. Many companies offer employees - and sometimes spouses and retirees - a matching gift benefit that doubles or triples their donations to UNLV. Companies have various methods by which you can submit your matching gift request: online forms, automated phone systems, or paper forms. Please consult the benefits office at your place of employment to see if you are eligible for their matching gifts program or visit this website to see if your company has made matching gifts to UNLV in the past. (Please note that some companies do not match gifts that are related to priority).


A FEW FINAL TIDBITS...

I'm excited by Bobby Hauck's addition of Timm Rosenbach as offensive coordinator for the football team. He will have an impact... The UNLV Now mega-event center vision is moving forward. There are still key variables before all is finalized, but the more people see the vision, the more they understand this is Las Vegas' next big thing and will have a major economic impact on our valley... It's been a roller coaster ride for our fans, but the Mountain West Conference has never been healthier than it is now with Boise State and San Diego State officially staying. The additions of Utah State and San Jose State next year will make us even stronger.


Thank you for living the Scarlet. Gray. Every Day.


For the Rebels,

Jim Livengood
Director of Athletics