History and Facts of the UNLV Rebels Sports
- The school began as a southern regional division of the University of Nevada, Reno, in 1957.
- Only 28 students were enrolled the first year.
- The school colors are scarlet and gray.
- The official UNLV mascot is Hey Reb! He was introduced in 1983 sporting a long mustache and a musket, and got a makeover in 1997 that beefed him up but took away the firearm.
- The nickname "Rebels" was given to the athletic teams because the school, having emerged from the shadow of the University of Nevada, Reno, was basically seen to have "rebelled" against the older and bigger University.
- Only the men's basketball team nickname differs, and has gone by the "Runnin' Rebels" (no "g") since 1974.
- The University's biggest rival is the Wolf Pack of the University of Nevada, Reno.
- The teams' rivalry sparked the "Battle for Nevada" football playoff each year in which the winner takes home the coveted "Fremont Cannon," a refurbished howitzer that is the most expensive and largest trophy in collegiate sports.
- The Rebels participate in NCAA Division I (Division I FBS for football) and in the Mountain West Conference and the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation.
- The UNLV Rebels football team plays at Sam Boyd Stadium just off the UNLV campus in Henderson.
- Well-known former Rebels include Randall Cunningham, Larry Johnson, Suge Knight, Shawn Marion, Adam Seward, Greg Anthony, and Ickey Woods.
- The Runnin' Rebels men's basketball team plays at the Thomas & Mack Center on the UNLV campus.
- The women's team plays at the Cox Pavilion, also on campus.
- The Runnin' Rebels are the third-winningest Division I men's basketball program in the country.
- They have made 16 NCAA Tournament appearances.
- There are 7 men's and 9 women's varsity teams.