Cox to sponsor pavilion for UNLV’s basketball and volleyball teams

Steve Carp

Friday, April 30, 1999 | 11:43 a.m.

After months of negotiation, the planned practice facility for UNLV's basketball and volleyball teams has secured the necessary financing.

Cox Communications has agreed to be the title sponsor for the three-story, 60,000-square-foot building which will adjoin the Thomas & Mack Center.

The communications giant has committed $5 million to have its name affixed to the facility, which is scheduled to open in March 2000. The project also was bolstered by a $6.6 million loan that was expected to be approved today by the Board of Regents at their meeting in Reno.

The building will be named Cox Pavilion and will be used not only for practice by the teams, but will also play host to concerts and family and trade shows. It will seat approximately 5,000 for Lady Rebel basketball and volleyball.

A press conference is scheduled for Tuesday to make the official announcement.

"It was really rewarding to see this come together," Thomas & Mack director Pat Christenson said. "The financing was easy once we got Cox to come on board."

The plan is for Cox to pay $500,000 a year over the next 10 years, which will help retire some of the debt on the loan. In addition to the naming rights for the facility, Cox also is expected to receive several other benefits which Christenson wouldn't elaborate on.

"Those details will be announced Tuesday," he said.

The total money dedicated to the project will be $10.5 million. In addition to the $6.6 million loan, $3 million will be raised through bonds with the remainder coming from the T&M's deferred maintenance fund.

From that $10.5 million, the Si Redd Room will be expanded and extra meeting rooms within the Thomas & Mack will be built. The price tag on Cox Pavilion remains $8.5 million.

"It's a win-win," Christenson said. "It gives UNLV's teams the things it needs and it frees up the Thomas & Mack to pursue other projects."

Jill Campbell of Cox Communications said the company was thrilled to be part of such an endeavor.

"Cox's cornerstone is community and education," she said. "This is the perfect opportunity to support UNLV and the community while getting some visibility for Cox.

"I'm also excited about this facility because it will help showcase UNLV's women's sports."

This is not Cox's first venture into title sponsorship. The company's name adorns San Diego State's 12,414-seat on-campus arena and Cox has an interactive kiosk at the Bank One Ballpark in Phoenix.

As for the Cox Pavilion at the Thomas & Mack, the layout's first floor will feature locker rooms, a training area and storage space. The second level will be exclusively for use by the Rebel basketball team and features a practice floor. The third level will be the "arena" level where the women's basketball and volleyball teams will play and where the concerts and shows will be staged.

Coach Bill Bayno said Cox Pavilion addresses his most pressing need -- a suitable place to practice when he can't get his team in the Thomas & Mack.

"I'm extremely excited about the opportunities and advantages that the new pavilion will provide, not just for the basketball program, but the university and the entire Las Vegas community," Bayno said.

"For us, a replica practice court which simulates the Thomas & Mack Center atmosphere is going to be a tremendous improvement on the North Gym. It will also provide us with a first-class locker room, player lounge and other amenities. It's going to be extremely beneficial to our recruiting."

Lady Rebels coach Regina Miller was excited about having a new home for her team to play its games in.

"It's going to increase our support," she said. "If we can fill it, it'll give us a real home court advantage.

"To have a state-of-the-art facility is going to help us with recruiting. It definitely is a major step in the right direction for our program."