Dec. 17, 2004
LAS VEGAS - Former UNLV two-time All-American and pro football star Randall Cunningham will graduate from his alma mater on Monday -- exactly 20 years and five days after playing his last game for the Rebels.
"I never thought I would be on the 20-year plan when I left for the NFL," Cunningham said. "But I am proud of finally getting this done and being able to say I am a graduate of my university."
The native of Santa Barbara, Calif., starred at quarterback and punter for UNLV in the early 1980s and finished his collegiate career by leading the Rebels to their first bowl-game victory, 30-13 over Toledo, in the old California Bowl held in Fresno on Dec. 15, 1984. Still the career passing and punting leader at UNLV, Cunningham would soon become the 37th pick overall in the NFL Draft when Philadelphia selected him in the second round. He went on to play 11 seasons with the Eagles, Minnesota Vikings, Dallas Cowboys and Baltimore Ravens before officially retiring in 2002.
The NFL's all-time leading rushing quarterback with 4,928 yards, Cunningham was a four-time Pro Bowl invitee and a three-time winner of the Bart Bell Award, which annually goes to the league's top player. He still ranks in the top 25 in league history for passing yards, touchdowns and completions.
Cunningham will go through Winter Commencement ceremonies Monday at the Thomas & Mack Center and receive his bachelor's degree in leisure studies from the world-famous UNLV Harrah College of Hotel Administration.
Five 2004 UNLV football players, which is believed to be a program record, will join Cunningham in graduating at mid-year. Leading the way is 2004 UNLV Football Co-Scholar-Athlete of the Year Tyler Arciaga. The reserve quarterback is graduating with a degree in business management after only three-and-one-half years on campus and still has two seasons of football eligibility remaining.
Linebacker Ryan Claridge, who led the Mountain West Conference in quarterback sacks and tackles-for-loss as a senior this fall, will receive his bachelor's in health education while preparing for April's NFL Draft.
Fellow-linebacker and four-year letterwinner Terrence Young will receive his degree in sociology, while two-year fullback Mike Frazier graduates in criminal justice. Also, former quarterback Kurt Nantkes has earned his degree in managerial finance.
"That we have so many mid-year graduates is a testament to the tremendous progress this program has made academically," said UNLV Academic Advisor in Charge of Football Janice D. Henry. "Also, having Randall Cunningham work so hard over the past year to complete his requirements is really something to celebrate."
