Rebels receive early Christmas gifts

Steve Guiremand

Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2000 | 10:33 a.m.

It's been Christmas come early for UNLV's football players this week.

As part of their reward for getting invited to Thursday night's Las Vegas Bowl against Arkansas, Rebel players have been leaving practice the last few days with their arms full of free gifts.

The NCAA allows each school to spend a percentage of its bowl revenues on gifts for its players.

After Monday afternoon's practice at Rebel Park, UNLV players were given a special Las Vegas Bowl backpack filled with a Las Vegas Bowl baseball cap as well as a CD player and several other small items.

Earlier this week, each player and coach received a brand new DVD player as well as Las Vegas Bowl shirts and sweats.

Toss in a free room for four nights at the MGM Grand as well as free meals like tonight's Buffet Bowl at the Fremont Street Experience beginning at 5 p.m. and it's not a bad reward for all those long hours on the practice field the last five months.

There had been much grumbling on several UNLV sports Internet sites complaining that the price of the remaining tickets was too high for Rebel fans to bring their families to the game. The school decided to swallow $20 per ticket to give those fans a chance to attend.

"We feel that some people are being priced out of the opportunity to take their families to see the Rebels play in a bowl game," UNLV associate athletic director Terry Cottle said. "We want to make sure we have as many UNLV fans in the stands as possible."

Remaining sideline tickets in the UNLV section are also still available but at the regular price of $50.

To purchase the specially priced tickets, fans must either call 895-UNLV or stop by a special Las Vegas Bowl Ticket Box Office at the Fertitta Tennis Complex on campus from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. today and Wednesday.

Tickets are $31.50 and can be purchased through the MGM Grand at 891-7777.

"I just got a shot, so I should be fine," Palepoi said afterward. "I've been feeling it coming on for the last couple of days."