We're gearing up for our first home football game of the season this Saturday and we hope you will join your fellow Rebels out at Sam Boyd Stadium for the 7 p.m. PT kickoff vs. Hawaii. Thank you for taking the time to read this update on your UNLV Rebels:


Rebel Football Home Opener Saturday Night

Home openers are great in any sport - and I'm particularly partial to college football. I absolutely love the pageantry of game day as well as the vastness of the event. Football games are as much community events as they are collegiate athletic competitions. We hope to see you out at Sam Boyd Stadium this Saturday night as we face off against a talented Hawaii team.


Chalk Talks with Bobby Hauck - Thursdays before home games

The UNLV Football Foundation invites all members and football fans to an annual series of Chalk Talks with head coach Bobby Hauck. The Chalk Talks are breakfast meetings featuring a full buffet served by host Big Dog's Cafe (Second Floor, 6390 West Sahara Ave.). Be sure to join Bobby as he reviews video, discusses strategies and takes questions about each upcoming home game this season. The Chalk Talks begin at 7:30 a.m. PT on the Thursday before each Rebel home game - starting tomorrow. Entry is free of charge for UNLV Football Foundation members and just $15 per person at the door for the public. See you in the morning. Go Rebels!


Bobby Hauck's Weekly Radio Show - Wednesday nights

Don't forget to check out Bobby's weekly radio show every Wednesday night from 7-8 p.m. PT on ESPN Radio 1100 AM/98.9 FM. Bobby is joined by the Rebel broadcast team of Jon Sandler and Mike Pritchard at Born And Raised Tavern on Cimarron and Warm Springs. Stop by, grab a bite and listen to the show live.  


Conference Realignment

As you are probably aware, things are changing by the day when it comes to conference realignment around the nation. We're constantly talking to those within our own conference and around the nation to try to stay as informed as possible and anticipate as much as we can. Our main objective right now is to identify any and all options. The more we understand these, the better position we will be in when and if decisions need to be made. Being proactive in discussions is the key at this time.


My View?

I've been asked several times about the football team's showing last Saturday in the loss at Washington State. Quite candidly, that's as disappointed as I've been after a game in a long time - we just did not compete at the level we need to. To me, that showing was not indicative of a Bobby Hauck-coached football team - even a young team in a building process. And as disappointed as I am in the performance, I know it impacted Bobby much, much more. I spent some good time with Bobby on Sunday and he'd be the first person to tell you the performance was unacceptable...

Building the UNLV football program into a winner is a huge challenge and we both accepted that challenge when we came to UNLV just 21 months ago. I have no doubt in my mind the program is headed in the right direction - a winning direction. Bobby's done an amazing job changing the culture internally, but we know there will be several bumps and, unfortunately, some hills to climb during the process. And some of them will sting like the one last Saturday. But the great thing about college football is this Saturday is a new day and a new game. It's a tough match-up for us against Hawaii, but I'm eager to see how the young team responds.


Make it a Rebel Weekend - Volleyball, Women's Soccer & Men's Tennis

We had some strong crowds out at last week's home volleyball matches and we hope you'll come out and watch the Rebels play this weekend as the UNLV Classic will be held at the Cox Pavilion. UNLV plays on Friday night (7:30 p.m. PT) and Saturday (11:30 a.m. & 7:30 p.m.). Under new head coach Cindy Fredrick, the young squad - playing mostly sophomores and freshmen - has won five of its last six matches. Kids 12-and-under are free and adults are just $8... Women's soccer will be hosting the UNLV Nike Invitational this weekend playing Friday night vs. Seattle at 7:30 p.m. and then Sunday at 1 p.m. vs. Hawaii. Kids 12-and-under are always free with adults $8... Men's tennis will also be holding its UNLV Invitational all day Friday-Sunday with admission free to all... Visit UNLVRebels.com for all UNLV Athletics schedules.


Family & Friends Night with UNLV Football - Sept. 24

We've had a great response from those interested in our first ever Family & Friends Night with UNLV Football on Saturday, Sept. 24. We face Southern Utah at 6 p.m. PT. We have a special 2-for-1 ticket promotion for the evening and prior to the game, there will be a kids festival featuring games and contests as well as a chance to get autographs from the Runnin' Rebel basketball team. After the game, kids 12-and-under will be invited to take the field for some post-game fun... So be sure to swing by the Thomas & Mack Center box office to pick up your tickets today. Or call (702) 739-FANS (3267) or visit www.unlvtickets.com. (Please note additional ticket fees may apply online, via phone and day of game.)


Parking Lot Upgrades at Sam Boyd Stadium

We've been able to make some upgrades to the parking lots at Sam Boyd Stadium for our fans. Click here to read more in a story written by Ray Brewer from the Las Vegas Sun.


Going Over the Edge for a Good Cause

We have partnered with Special Olympics Nevada on a terrific and thrilling fundraiser, and our favorite mascot is leading the way. With your support, we can send Hey Reb! Over the Edge. Raising a minimum of $1,000 for Special Olympics will allow him the chance to rappel down the Rio All Suite Hotel & Casino on Saturday, Oct. 15. Visit OverTheEdgeLasVegas.com to donate, join team "Get Your Reb On" and support Nevada's Special Olympians today.


Rebel fans, thank you so much for your continued support. Please remember to ATTEND UNLV games, WEAR Rebel gear and TELL others about UNLV Athletics. We appreciate all you do.


For the Rebels,

Jim Livengood
Director of Athletics