Practice makes perfect at UNLV; facility will complement Mack upgrade

Steve Carp

Friday, Sept. 4, 1998 | 10:24 a.m.

Did the squeaky wheel finally get the grease? Or did the need simply become overwhelming to the point it had to be addressed?

Whatever drove UNLV to design and build a practice facility for its men's and women's basketball programs and volleyball team, it will be money well spent, according to school officials.

Thursday, the school officially unveiled its plans to construct a building that will adjoin the Thomas & Mack Center and serve as the practice site for the three sports.

The announcement was part of the overall plan to upgrade the Mack and completely overhaul Sam Boyd Stadium, a project that will cost $40 million and be ready for the fall 1999 semester.

The yet-to-be-named Thomas & Mack Pavilion will cost $8 million to build. The foundation and parts of the walls at the three-story, 60,000 square-foot structure already are in place.

In addition, a 12,000 square-foot walkway between the T&M and the pavilion will be constructed. That area will serve as site for the UNLV Athletic Hall of Fame.

Officials claim the entire UNLV student body will come out ahead when the new facility opens. It will free up the McDeermott Physical Education Complex to provide more access to students for classes, intramurals and other activities.

"There's definitely a need for such a facility," UNLV associate athletic director Jerry Koloskie said. "We're trying to provide three teams with practice opportunities. And right now, it's very difficult trying to do that.

"But with this building, we can handle it and allow P.E. to gain an extra 6-7 hours a day in the gyms."

Rebels coach Bill Bayno has been clammoring for more time in the Thomas & Mack ever since he arrived at UNLV in 1995. He has been constantly frustrated by the inability of T&M director Pat Christenson to accommodate the basketball team, even though its the primary tenant, if you will.

"This is in response to Billy's constant badgering," Christenson said half-jokingly. "But I can understand where he's coming from. Every coach wants to be in his gym all the time to practice. But realistically, we can't do that.

"However, the pavilion will provide a quality practice facility that will come as close as you can to being in the Thomas & Mack without actually being in it."

For Bayno, that's good enough.

"I understand we can't be in the Thomas & Mack all the time," he said. "But this is the next best thing. The new locker rooms will be a great recruiting tool. It'll allow us to maintain a first-class program."

Lady Rebels coach Regina Miller stands to benefit even more because her program could use the practice facility as a new home court (it will seat a minimum of 2,500). The team currently plays in the Lied Gymnasium, which seats just 1,300.

"It's a fantastic idea," Miller said of the building that will feature three courts that can be converted into one arena-style configuration. "The renovation of the Thomas & Mack alone puts us in a class by ourselves. But this practice facility will benefit everyone."

Christenson will argue the pavilion will be the premier facility in the nation.

"I don't think there's a university in the nation that can touch it," he said. "Only a select few schools even have practice facilities incorporated within their arenas, and this will be state of the art."

Christenson said the school still is trying to close a deal with a donor to name the pavilion. For $5 million, a company or individual can put their name on the new practice facility.