TINA'S TAKE - JANUARY 2017

This month marks the beginning of the Spring 2017 Semester and the return of students, faculty and staff to our campus. It also signals a time when our spring sports accelerate their preparation for the upcoming season, with competition already beginning for some.

As we look ahead to what the semester will offer, it's worth remembering the unprecedented success these programs combined to enjoy in 2016:

Men's Tennis - Mountain West Tournament Championship, NCAA Bid
Women's Tennis - Record-high winning percentage, Mountain West Tournament Championship, NCAA Bid
Men's Golf - Mountain West Tournament Championship, national-record 28th straight NCAA Regional
Women's Golf - Mountain West Tournament Championship, NCAA Bid

At UNLV Athletics, we focus on creating a winning culture; an environment in which student-athletes and coaches have the resources they need to deliver championship-winning results; a performance-focused atmosphere in which championships are the goal and success is celebrated.

We also believe that success in one area is a catalyst for even greater success across our entire athletic program - and that was certainly evident this fall when, fueled by the championship form of their spring-sport counterparts, our Volleyball, Women's Soccer and Men's Soccer teams turned in their own winning performances:

Volleyball - NCAA At-Large Bid, First NCAA Tournament Victory
Women's Soccer - Mountain West Regular-Season Title, Mountain West Tournament Championship, NCAA Bid
Men's Soccer - WAC Tournament Championship, NCAA Bid, First NCAA Tournament victory since 1987

In a span of just eight months, from April-November 2016, UNLV student-athletes and coaches delivered seven conference championships and seven NCAA appearances - an unprecedented period of success and something of which we should all be incredibly proud.

In addition, head coaches Kevin Cory (women's tennis), Amy Bush-Herzer (women's golf) and Chris Shaw (women's soccer) were all honored as Conference Coach of the Year for their respective sports.

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I'm delighted to share with you that planning is now underway to induct the next class of distinguished honorees to the UNLV Athletics Hall of Fame.  The date for this wonderful celebration of our athletic history is being finalized now and you should expect to see an announcement in the next 30 days.  We certainly hope you will consider joining us as we pay tribute and celebrate the Class of 2017!

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This update would be incomplete without a word about the remarkable job being done by Head Coach Marvin Menzies and his staff in building Runnin' Rebel Basketball into a championship-caliber program.  Everything Coach Menzies and his staff are doing is about the long-term - about putting in place a strong foundation that will enable the program to achieve sustained success, year after year, over an extended period of time.  This isn't about making a quick fix and there are no shortcuts.  Building a program for the long-term that can compete with the nation's elite requires patience, focus and an unwavering commitment.

Following our game against Duke in December, I received a very nice note from legendary broadcaster Dick Vitale.  He had nothing but the highest of praise for Marvin and UNLV and added his voice to what so many others across the nation have been saying - that in Coach Menzies, we have the right guy at the right time.

I couldn't agree more and encourage our fans to show their support to Marvin, his coaches and our student-athletes by attending our remaining home games this season and joining together as we rebuild a championship-winning program.

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National Signing Day is Wednesday, Feb. 1, which means another big step forward for UNLV Football as Head Coach Tony Sanchez announces his third class of Rebels. Tony and his staff have been working -- and traveling -- tirelessly to secure the Class of 2017 and we can't wait to see who will be next to wear the Scarlet & Gray and help our football team rise into a championship-caliber program.

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Many of you will have read that I will be concluding my tenure as Director of Athletics at UNLV at the end of June.  Serving as your Director of Athletics has been the greatest privilege of my career and I am beyond grateful for the opportunity to do so.  As someone who was born and raised in Las Vegas; who earned my degrees from UNLV and had the honor of wearing the Scarlet and Gray as a student-athlete; who coached at our university before moving into a career in athletic administration; and who views every member of our UNLV Athletics family as member of my own family - serving our university in this capacity has been the greatest gift imaginable.

Equally, I appreciate the opportunity President Jessup has extended for me to remain a part of the UNLV Family by transitioning in July into a role with the UNLV Foundation.

In my remaining months in office, you can be certain that our focus will remain as sharp as ever.  We have several important initiatives that will command our time and attention - notably, continued fundraising for the Fertitta Football Complex and other areas of critical need across our department.  Equally, as competition begins for our spring sports, we are excited to see how our Rebel student-athletes and coaches build upon our recent success.

Thank you and Go Rebels!



Tina Kunzer-Murphy
UNLV Director of Athletics

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What A Game!

What a crazy and fun day at the Thomas & Mack Center last Saturday with the Runnin' Rebels' double-overtime thrilling win over Air Force. Those that were there surely will be talking about it for years to come. And for those that missed it, click the photo below to see the highlights. Finishes like that don't come around that often. Make sure to get your tickets for the next UNLV men's basketball home game - vs. New Mexico on Wed., Feb. 1. Click here to purchase.



After 20 games last year, the Runnin' Rebels were 12-8, 3-4 MW with a roster that ultimately sent three players to the NBA. Currently, UNLV is 10-10, 3-4 MW, the same conference record at this time last season and a very similar overall record. Considering UNLV had just three players return from last year's team and the UNLV coaching staff had to assemble most of the roster starting at the end of April, it's a great testament to the work that Coach Menzies, his staff and the players are doing.

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Lady Rebels Strong Season Continues

The Lady Rebels won their first five games of the year, and their 8-1 start was the best for the team since the 2001-02 season. Among the many highlights of the season thus far for the squad are two wins over Power Five conference teams, including the first victories over teams from the Pac-12 (USC) and the SEC (Ole Miss) since 2004.

UNLV also became the 55th school in NCAA history to reach 750 wins, coming against New Mexico State in the Play4Kay Shootout, as UNLV was part of the first women's basketball games ever played in the new T-Mobile Arena here in Las Vegas.

The Lady Rebels, who are currently 13-6, 4-3 MW, have six more home games including tonight against Wyoming at 6 p.m. in the Thomas & Mack Center. Get your tickets by clicking here.



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Baseball & Softball Seasons About To Get Underway

UNLV Baseball opens its 2017 season at home with nine straight games at Earl E. Wilson Stadium. The year begins with the UNLV Classic, a four-team, three-day tournament (Feb. 17-19) that includes UNLV, Omaha, Saint Mary's and UC Davis. The Rebels and Omaha will play, once more, on Feb. 20 before they play three- and two-game series' against Cal State Fullerton (Feb. 24-26) and UC Riverside (Feb. 28-March 1), respectively. The team, under Head Coach Stan Stolte, returns 22 letterwinners from last year's squad. Click here for ticket information.

UNLV Softball also starts next month as the Rebels host the Sportco Kick Off Classic at Eller Media Stadium, Feb. 10-12. They will play five games over the three days, beginning with the season-opener against Indiana State at 11:15 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 10. The Rebels will play in five tournaments -- three of which they are hosting -- during the first month of the season before beginning conference play at Utah State on March 17. Head Coach Lisa Dodd has six starters returning, led by the senior duo of Morgan Ettinger and Kwyn Cooper, who combined for 15 wins in the circle in 2016. The Rebels also welcome 13 newcomers, including six transfers Dodd expects to contribute right away. Click here for ticket information.

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Rebel Athletic Fund Update

The Rebel Athletic Fund would like to thank each and every donor who through their generosity has helped shaped the futures for hundreds of young men and women who wear the Scarlet and Gray. Whether you have been a 30-year member of the RAF or you are in your initial season as a contributor, your financial support helps create life-changing experiences for our student-athletes. Your support directly impacts tuition, books, nutrition and all things necessary for student success.

Whether you give to priority seating, participate in the Loyalty Circle program or give to a specific sport, you are actively engaged in helping to shape the lives of our student-athletes. Your impact is greatly appreciated!

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Football Season Tickets

UNLV Football season ticket renewals will be available this week. Fans who had season tickets last year will receive an email later this week with renewal information.

If you did not have season tickets last year, you will not want to miss out. With a home schedule including BYU, Hawaii and San Diego State it is sure to be an exciting season. And, the home opener against Howard was just announced yesterday. Click here for more information on that game.

New season tickets will go on sale on Feb. 1. Click here for ticket information.



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Other UNLV Athletics News & Notes

• Congratulations to former UNLV Football players Tau Lotulelei and Torry McTyer, who were selected to play in the 2017 NFLPA Collegiate Bowl all-star game in Carson, Calif., last weekend. Lotulelei, a linebacker who earned First Team All-MW honors in 2016, started the game while McTyer, a defensive back, posted two tackles and two pass breakups in their National Team's 27-7 victory.
• UNLV Indoor Track & Field opened the 2017 indoor season with wins in six events at Northern Arizona's Lumberjack Team Challenge this past weekend. UNLV's Taylor Pegram ran a program-best time of 8.31 in the 60m hurdles while teammate Amari Norris ran 8.44 to move into fourth in the all-time performance list for the event. In all, the team had 31 top-eight finishes with five apiece in the 60m and 200m races.
• After four months off, the UNLV Men's Golf team will be back in action Feb. 15-17 in Hawaii at the John Burns Intercollegiate. The Rebels are ranked No. 21 in the country.
• UNLV Women's Golf, which hasn't played since November, will be back in action Feb. 12-14 at the Northrop Grumman Regional Challenge in Palos Verdes, Calif.
• UNLV Women's Tennis is looking to add to its eight Mountain West championships. It kicked off the spring semester by hosting the elite Freeman Memorial Championships at the Fertitta Tennis Complex earlier this month. Competing in a field that featured players from schools making up the entire top five in the nation, Carol Yang led the Rebels by posting two singles upsets. Ranked 48th nationally herself, Yang stunned 14th-ranked Meible Chi of Duke in a 7-6, 7-6 thriller and later got by 39th-ranked Spencer Liang of Florida in three sets. UNLV opened dual-match play last weekend and is off to a 2-0 start, meaning that the Rebels have won 26 of their last 28 matches dating back to last year.
• UNLV Men's Tennis opens play on Feb. 3 by hosting a doubleheader vs. New Mexico State at 10 a.m. and Weber State at 2 p.m. Admission to all UNLV tennis matches on campus is free of charge!

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Rebel Video Streams - Mountain West Network

Did you know that many of UNLV Athletics' home and road contests are video streamed online for free? Thanks to a partnership with the Mountain West Network, many non-televised events throughout the entire department are available on computers, tablets, phones and other connected devices.

To access live and archived Mountain West Network streams, go to UNLVRebels.com/videos.

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Follow The Rebels All Season Long ... Socially and Online

Get all of the up-to-the-minute information, photos, video and more by following UNLV Athletics on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, Snapchat and on the official athletics website UNLVRebels.com.