Aug. 3, 2011
LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) - It's fascinating to spend time with UNLV AD Jim Livengood and talk about the business of college athletics. He understands it inside and out having been a leader in the industry for so many years. The industry of college athletics is in the middle of major changes and we probably haven't really scratched the surface yet with just the movement of a few schools to different conferences during the past year. The financial gap is widening between schools and conferences as the TV money gets insane. And the gaps are getting HUGE making it anything but a level playing field for many schools. People are also admitting the compliance area needs to be completely overhauled. Major, major changes are coming and it's going to impact every University - particularly schools in a conference like the Mountain West where we are not benefiting from the big TV dollars or BCS money. Get ready, because change is coming - and we need to be ready to take advantage when possible and position UNLV for long-term success ...
Speaking of Jim, a lot of people have asked me about his future at UNLV. His three-year contract is up in Dec. 2012 and most people expect him to retire - although nearly every person I have had that conversation with says they hope he stays longer. Actually, it wouldn't completely surprise me to see him stay on for a year or two more beyond the current contract (assuming leadership would want him, of course). The guy loves to work, has an amazing work ethic and believes in UNLV and Las Vegas. Six months ago, I would have said there was no way he would choose to continue on. But now, there's at least a chance...
We've gotten a lot of positive feedback on the creative messaging for the Rebel Football campaign. The TV and radio spots feature coach Bobby Hauck talking about the uniqueness of college football. It's really a simple concept. Over the past 19 months, we've found out that those who spend even a few minutes talking to Bobby about football believe in him and what his staff will do here. That is all we tried to get across on the spots - we want people to hear Bobby talk about football... To that point, I remember my first conversation with Bobby. I walked out of his office thinking, "Wow. We actually ARE going to win." And that's coming from a lifelong Rebel fan...
As one person inside the department - who works with our student-athletes on academics - told me, "You can tell the difference between the kids Bobby brought in and the guys who were here before: Bobby's guys are just bigger." That made me smile...
I know I may be jumping way, way ahead of myself here, but who has the opportunity to have a bigger positive impact on this community over the next 10-15 years than new Runnin' Rebel head coach Dave Rice? There might be a few others we can name, but not many. Dave takes very seriously the platform he has inherited as the head coach of the Runnin' Rebels and he and wife, Mindy, have plans to do special things in the community. It's going to be a fun RUN (pun definitely intended)...
Look for the launch of the new UNLVRebels.com on August 9th. Assistant AD of Communications Andy Grossman, Director of Media Relations Mark Wallington, and their team have done a great job putting together a new site with new coverage ideas. Rebel fans are going to enjoy it...
Love talking in the community about Rebel Baseball under new head coach Tim Chambers. Everybody is stating - as a fact - how great the future is going to be under him and his staff. Now that's when you know you hired the right coach!... Thanks for reading. GO REBELS!
---
D.J. Allen, UNLV Athletics' Sr. Associate AD of External Affairs, writes a periodic column for UNLVRebels.com. A lifelong Rebel fan and a native of Southern Nevada, Allen graduated from UNLV with both a communications degree and a MBA. We hope he brings Rebel fans a unique perspective to their beloved programs. If not, at least he helps to take up space on the website. He can be reached at dj.allen@unlv.edu.
