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HOME ~ College Football History |
Rebel History
Opened as a satellite campus in 1957, the southern
regional division of the University of Nevada became Nevada Southern
University in 1965 and finally evolved into UNLV four years later when
the Board of Regents granted it autonomy under the state's higher
education system.
Mascots, Old and New
Today it's Hey Reb
 but some at UNLV still remember the first official
Rebel mascot -- Beauregard.
Dressed in a gray military field jacket and Confederate cap, Beau is a
fanged, winking, black and white cartoon wolf. He came to be because the
new school in Southern Nevada wanted to make a little jab at the Wolf
Pack mascot of Nevada, Reno.
"UNLV was rebelling against the status quo and the two schools' mascots
seemed to mimic the Civil War," said former UNLV president Don Baepler,
who is currently director of the Marjorie Barrick Museum of Natural
History on campus. "Reno had a northern looking wolf so we wanted a
Confederate wolf."
The logo lasted until the early 1970s when a group of black athletes
came to Baepler, who was academic vice president at the time, and voiced
its displeasure with having a mascot that had a connection with the
wrong side of the Civil War.
"They said it didn't feel right playing for a school with such a mascot
. . . and I agreed," said Baepler. "Southern Nevada has no real ties to
the Confederacy so the change wasn't a big concern."
The student senate voted on a new mascot and the human Rebel logo was
born. Initially, a Colonial-like Rebel soldier was the official logo and
there was talk at one time of changing UNLV's nickname to Minutemen.
However, the current long-moustached cartoon Rebel known as Hey Reb took
hold in the early 1980s and helped the school vault to the top in
college apparel licensing within 10 years.
Beauregard may not be prevalent in today's UNLV athletic events but he's
certainly not gone and forgotten. The original sketch of the wolf was
converted into a mid-court painting for basketball games played in the
old University gymnasium. Today, visitors can visit the black, white,
scarlet and gray logo circle in its original position at what is now the
Barrick Museum, which still uses the existing oak hardwood basketball
floor to hold its exhibits.
UNLV Alma Mater
Alma Mater, we praise you
For the spirit you ahve shown,
You've given us inspiration
through the years
And with you rknowledge
we have grown
Alma Mater U-N-L-V
May you continue in glory,
Days of old, and days to be
We'll treasure your dignity
Alma Mater, we'll remember you
When our student days are through
Hard times, good times
They'll be part of UNLV's call.
UNLV Fight Song
Win with the Rebels
a Victory today!
Win with the Rebels
the Scarlet and Grey!
From the mountains that surround you
to far across the sea,
We'll win with the Rebels of UNLV!
U... N... L... V...
UNLV Go! Fight! Win!
We'll win with the Rebels of UNLV!
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