LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) -- The UNLV Athletics Department announced that football's Johnathan Baldwin was named winner of this year's Bill Ireland Award, which was handed out at Monday's Welcome Back event at the Thomas & Mack Center.

The honor is given annually to a student-athlete who shines brightest in their respective sport while competing against UNR as part of the Silver State Series presented by America First Credit Union.
 
The Ireland honoree, selected through a vote by members of the UNLV Athletics Strategic Communications department, must come from a Rebel team that won its competition vs. the Wolf Pack during the year, have made a significant impact on that outcome and also be in good academic standing.
 
Baldwin, then a sophomore from Houston, Texas, led the Rebels to victory over in-state rival UNR, 27-22, to take home the Fremont Cannon. He returned a fumble 55 yards for a touchdown to spark the Rebels' comeback after trailing 13-0. In all, Baldwin scored a defensive touchdown, grabbed one interception, tallied eight tackles and two pass breakups, the last of which came on fourth-and-goal to preserve the thrilling victory.
 
Other nominees for UNLV's Ireland Award this year, who led their teams to wins over their rivals to the north, were Desi-Rae Young of women's basketball, EJ Harkless of men's basketball, Jacob Sharp of baseball, Taylie Liddell of women's soccer and Gabby Arretche-Ramos of volleyball.

The award is named in honor of Mr. Bill Ireland, who was deeply tied to the history of the Wolf Pack and Rebels athletics programs. A 1952 graduate of the University of Nevada, Reno, Ireland was the Wolf Pack's first baseball coach (1961-67). After his time at UNR, he went on to UNLV where he became the Rebels first football coach (1968-72) and later served as athletics director (1973-80). Ireland is also credited with helping create the famed rivalry trophy the Fremont Cannon.

UNLV BILL IRELAND AWARD WINNERS
2023 – Johnathan Baldwin, Football
2022 – Bryce Hamilton, Men's Basketball
2021 – Kristina Schneider, Swimming & Diving
2020 – Kenyon Oblad, Football
2019 – Armani Rogers, Football
2018 -- Janine Petmecky, Softball
2017 – Lily Sender, Women's Soccer
2016 – Ryan McAleenan, Football
2015 – Janine Petmecky, Softball
2014 – Jenn Wolfe, Women's Soccer
2013 – Buddy Borden, Baseball