June 3, 1998
LAS VEGAS - UNLV scholarship donor, season ticket holder, and Football Foundation board member Fred Lucas has been named the 1998 Ultimate Rebel Football Fan.
The search was part of a contest put together by the Sports Marketing Department. Participants were asked to submit a one-page summary of why they felt they were the Ultimate Rebel Football Fan along with a picture displaying their Rebel spirit. From numerous entries that were received, four finalists were selected. Lucas edged out the competition by scoring the highest in the areas of Rebel loyalty, longevity and fanaticism.
Lucas was nominated for the title Ultimate Rebel Football Fan by his wife Lou. "People often ask me if Fred has clothing other than Rebel," said Lou Lucas in the letter submitted for the contest. "The closet in our Rebel room is running over with jackets, sweaters, shirts, slacks, jogging suits, socks, underwear and even Rebel sneakers."
Lucas persuaded the photographer at the Department of Motor Vehicles to allow him to wear his Rebel cap in his drivers license photo and he proudly wears his 1994 Big West/Las Vegas Bowl Championship ring wherever he goes. Lucas attends every home and away Rebel football game and uses his Rebel megaphone to be sure the players can hear him over the crowd.
"In my four years here, I cant recall a game that Fred has not attended. He has stuck with us through thick and thin," said Rebel Football coach Jeff Horton of the selection of Lucas. "We appreciate and encourage more fans like Fred."
"This is the best honor Ive received in my life aside from the marriage to my wife." said Lucas on being notified of his award. "This puts the icing on the cake for all my support of the Rebels."
As a winner of the 1998 Search for the Ultimate Rebel Football Fan, Lucas will receive the following: four 1998 Rebel Football season tickets; a sideline pass to the season home opener on September 12 against Air Force; dinner at Coach Hortons house and a Rebel Football replica jersey. Finally, Lucas will be included in the 1998 Rebel Football advertising campaign.
The three other finalists were UNLV student Robert Spirito, long-time Las Vegas resident Farrell "Red" Gallagher and Moapa Valley High School student Lucas Leavitt.
