Aug. 3, 2009
LAS VEGAS - Former Runnin' Rebel legend Robert Smith has been named the UNLV men's basketball program's radio analyst, UNLV Athletics and ISP Sports & Entertainment Properties announced Thursday.
Smith, who starred at the school from 1974-77, replaces Glen "Gondo" Gondrezick, who served in the position for the last 17 years and passed away in April. Smith, a former teammate of Gondrezick's on the squad known as the "Hardway Eight," will join Jon Sandler, who is entering his sixth season as the radio play-by-play voice of the program, to make up this upcoming season's broadcast team.
Smith played point guard on UNLV's first team that reached the NCAA Final Four, in 1977. He remains UNLV's career leader in free throw percentage at 87.8 percent and he is also the single-season leader, making 92.5 percent of his tries during the 1976-77 season. He played seven years in the NBA, four more in the CBA and seven playing in France.
Smith also coached nine years at Las Vegas' Bishop Gorman High School, winning two state titles and finishing as runner-up twice.
"We are excited to have Robert join the UNLV Radio broadcasts this season," said Chris Ferris, senior vice president of the ISP Sports Radio Network. "His link to the tradition of Rebel basketball as well as his knowledge of the game will certainly help the Rebel ISP Sports Network paint the picture for the listeners this year."
A member of the UNLV Athletics Hall of Fame's Class of 1987, he was also inducted into the Southern Nevada Sports Hall of Fame this past June. He has spent time in recent years coaching at the Andre Agassi Boys and Girls Club and he is still involved in coaching youth teams in the Las Vegas area today.
"Robert was a terrific player for the Runnin' Rebels," head coach Lon Kruger said. "He has a passion for his school and it is great to have him on board in an official capacity as part of our broadcast team."
Smith also holds the UNLV record for most consecutive free throws without a miss during a season with 27 (1976-77 season). He led the team in assists during the 1975-76 and 1976-77 seasons with 157 and 195, respectively, and he ranks seventh on the UNLV career assists chart with 445 during his three-year career.
"It is great to be coming back to be a part of the team," Smith said. "It is very exciting for me as a former student-athlete to be involved with UNLV. I always felt a part of the program, but now I will get to work that much closer with the team and I am thrilled to be a part of the university again. I am looking forward to getting started."
Now in its third year as the exclusive multimedia rights holder for UNLV Athletics, ISP - America's Home for College Sports - is regarded as America's foremost collegiate sports marketing company and brings a national presence to the overall marketing of Rebel athletics.
