January 28, 1999

LAS VEGAS - UNLV Golf Head Coach Dwaine Knight was named the Golf Coaches Association of America's National Coach of the Year for the 1997-98 season at a banquet in Orlando, Fla., on Thursday.

Knight, who also was honored earlier in the year as Golfweek Magazine's Coach of the Year, led the Rebels to their first team national title last spring, guiding the team from its preseason ranking of 12th in the nation to No. 1.

"It is certainly an honor to be chosen by your peers," Knight said following the ceremony. "I have to thank my players first, for their hard work and winning the national championship.

"Also, UNLV, the city of Las Vegas and all of the golf courses (in Las Vegas) that allow us a chance to play at such a high level. Without their help we would have a program, but with them we have a national championship program. I have really been blessed with all that has happened the last couple of years."

Last season's team set an NCAA record for lowest score under par at the NCAA Championships, shooting 34-under and eclipsing the old mark by 11 strokes. The team also set a record for lowest score under par after two rounds, shooting 23-under and breaking the previous total by 12 strokes.

UNLV produced four All-Americans last season, set a school record with seven tournament victories, recorded its lowest round and lowest tournament totals in school history and made its 10th-straight trip to the NCAA Regionals and Championships.

It marks the second time Knight has received national Coach of the Year honors. He was named the Golf Coaches Association of America's Coach of the Year in 1991.

Knight was also selected as the 1997-98 WAC Coach of the Year as well as District VIII Coach of the Year.