LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) – During Saturday's UNLV home-opening football game against Southern Utah, senior defensive end Gabe McCoy will be recognized as this year's recipient of the Tom Wiesner Award (pronounced "WEEZE-ner).
 
For the 18th consecutive year, coaches and seniors on the football team selected the player who best exemplifies the courage, enthusiasm, dedication and toughness of the late Mr. Tom Wiesner.
 
McCoy (Pittsburg, CA/Pittsburg HS) who started last year as a linebacker, is also in his second year as a team captain. An honors candidate who was named preseason Second Team All-MW by Phil Steele and Third Team by Athlon, he has played in every game of his Rebel career and already earned his bachelor's degree from the school.
 
McCoy is the fourth defensive lineman to earn the Wiesner, which is designated with special stitching on the front of his jersey.
 
A Wisconsin native and three-time letterman on the Badger football team, Mr. Wiesner sought his fortune out West and became one of the Las Vegas' leading businessmen, philanthropists, politicians and ambassadors. The founder of the successful restaurants that are part of Big Dog's Hospitality Group, Mr. Wiesner helped guide Rebel Athletics from their infancy and was inducted into the UNLV Athletics Hall of Fame as a Distinguished Contributor in 1994. Also a member of the Nevada Board of Regents, he died in 2002 at the age of 63 after a battle with Leukemia.
 
Individual, season and mini-plan tickets for UNLV's 2019 home football games are now on sale. Season tickets, which start as low as $99, are still available and as part of UNLV's Faithful Fan Pricing initiative, fans purchasing season tickets this year may purchase season tickets for the same per-game price in the new Las Vegas Stadium opening in 2020.
 
This year's mini-plan allows fans to purchase tickets for the games vs. Boise State, San Diego State and Hawai'i for one low price that includes a meal combo and the commemorative giveaway T-shirt each week. Prices for the mini-plan are $99 for end-zone locations and $150 for sideline seats. Mini-plans, as well as full season tickets are available now by calling (702) 739-3267 (FANS) or visiting unlvtickets.com.
 
ALL-TIME WIESNER AWARD WINNERS
YEAR- PLAYER (POS)
2002 - Tony Terrell (OL)
2003 - Dominic Furio (OL)
2004 - Jamaal Brimmer (DB)
2005 - Joe Miklos (DB)
2006 - Erick Jackson (RB)
2007 - Chris Butler (TE)
2008 - Jacob Hales (DL)
2009 - Ryan Wolfe (WR)
2010 - Isaako Aaitui (DL)
2011 - Bryce Saldi (LB)
2012 - Aaron Reed (TE)
2013 - Max Johnson (FB)
2014 - Brian Roth (OL)
2015 - Sonny Sanitoa (DL)
2016 - David Greene Jr. (RB)
2017 - Kurt Palandech (QB)
2018 – Jocquez Kalili (DB)
2019 – Gabe McCoy (DL)