Good afternoon Rebel fans,

It's Homecoming Week and there is no better time for Rebels to be living the Scarlet. Gray. Every Day. We hope to see you around campus a lot over the next couple of weeks as there are plenty of important opportunities to support your Rebels:


HOMECOMING FOOTBALL GAME SATURDAY, 1 P.M.

Many of our fans are encouraged by the progress the football team has made this year from previous seasons. Unfortunately, that progress has not yet related to results in the wins-loss record, which we all agree needs to happen. The Rebels return home to face New Mexico on Saturday at 1 p.m. after playing a tough stretch of five games against strong competition, with four of those games on the road.

I'm excited about Saturday's Homecoming game vs. the Lobos as well as our last three games of the year at Colorado State, home vs. Wyoming (Nov. 17) and then at Hawaii to end the season. This last month of the season gives our young team a chance to pick up momentum heading into the off-season as it will be a great measuring stick for us. Don't get me wrong, we are not guaranteed ANY victories in these four games. All four of the teams we are facing see UNLV on the schedule and believe that is an opportunity for them to pick up a win. But we need to head into these final four games of the season with something to prove - to ourselves and to our fans.

Our hope is you will stay faithful to your Scarlet & Gray as we start this key stretch and head out to the stadium this Saturday for Homecoming. We need to make the Homecoming game at UNLV special - our alumni and our fans deserve it.


LETTERWINNERS TAILGATE SATURDAY

Former UNLV student-athletes are invited to be a part of the Letterwinners Club Football Tailgate prior to Saturday's Homecoming football game. For more information, go to www.unlvraf.com or call (702) 895-1533.


HUGE VOLLEYBALL WEEK - TONIGHT & SATURDAY

Women's volleyball is one of the best spectator sports there is as it is packed with action. If you haven't been to a match, this week is the perfect time to check one out. Coach Cindy Fredrick has her Rebels in first place in the Mountain West heading into tonight's match against San Diego State at the Cox Pavilion at 7 p.m. PT. (SDSU beat us earlier this season and currently sits in second place.) Tonight is Kids Night with free pregame activities for kids, who get in for free if under the age of 12. Adults are just $8... Nevada, Reno will be in town on Saturday night at 7 p.m. We hope you can head out to support the Scarlet & Gray as they take on the Pack in the match where both teams are seeking points for the Governor's Series.


"RUN AS ONE" WITH US - GET YOUR TICKETS NOW FOR OPENING NIGHT

The town is buzzing about this year's edition of the Runnin' Rebels and we hope you will make plans to join us early this season at the Thomas & Mack Center. Coach Dave Rice's squad will take on Dixie State this Wednesday at 7 p.m. PT in an exhibition game at the T&M. Opening Night is Monday, Nov. 12 vs. Northern Arizona at 7 p.m. We are hoping to have a capacity crowd on Opening Night to send a statement both locally and nationally about Runnin' Rebel basketball. But to do this, we need your help. Please help us "PACK THE MACK" for Opening Night. Tickets start at just $15 - get yours today. 


A FAMILY AFFAIR - OPENING NIGHT

I have learned over the years that the college athletics world is a small one. That has never been truer for Linda and me than now. Opening Night for the Runnin' Rebels will pit us vs. our son-in-law, Jack Murphy, in just his second game ever as head coach at the Div-I level.  We were thrilled when he was hired last spring to lead the Northern Arizona program as we are so proud of him, professionally and personally. Throughout the rest of the season, I'll be a huge Lumberjacks fan - just not on Nov. 12. Fortunately, our daughter, Michelle, has been around this long enough to know how it works. (And, no matter the outcome, Linda and I will get a big victory - we get to see three of our grandkids!)


YOUNG LADY REBELS LOOK TO RELOAD

After their most successful season in nearly a decade, the Lady Rebels will have a new look this season with a lot of young talent. Senior guard Kelli Thompson - who is making a name for herself in the UNLV women's basketball record book - will lead the Lady Rebels as they take on Dixie State on Monday in an exhibition game before opening the season vs. UC Santa Barbara on Friday, Nov. 9 at the Cox Pavilion at 7 p.m.



TIME WARNER CABLE UPDATE

We are hearing from fans more and more every day who are concerned about Time Warner Cable Sports Network not yet being available in Las Vegas. While our hands are tied with how much control we have over this situation, we know just how frustrating the situation is for our fans and are in continual talks with those at the network, the conference and the distributors. We appreciate that all have worked together to get the recent games aired in Las Vegas, but - like you - we are hoping for a quick resolution and hearing that TWCSN will be available soon. We will keep you updated as we do everything within our power to help this happen sooner rather than later. 


UNLV TV STREAMING

We've heard from many Rebel fans around the nation who are thrilled with our new partnership with UNLV TV to help us expand the quality and quantity of sports we stream online. Dean Lee Bernick and his team with UNLV TV - headed by sports producer Kim Alexander - are helping UNLV students get real experience producing live sporting events and streaming them on UNLVRebels.com. These students have helped produce soccer and volleyball matches this fall and will be working on many basketball -women's and men's - broadcasts in the winter. Check out UNLVRebels.com and team schedules for more information.


AND A FEW MORE THINGS...

This early evening is one of my favorite events we do - the celebration of our Loyalty Circle. This is when our donors get to spend time with the student-athletes they are supporting. It is why we do what we do. And, when we are done tonight, we'll be headed over to the big volleyball match... Women's soccer moved to 12-3-4 on the season with a win over Fresno State in the first round of the Mountain West tournament last night... Men's soccer will have its Senior Night this Friday before advancing to postseason play.


For the Rebels,

Jim Livengood
Director of Athletics