Wiesner has made mark on athletics in Las Vegas

Steve Addy

Friday, June 2, 2000 | 10:16 a.m.

Inductee profiles

Tuesday: Jim Colbert

Wednesday: Johnny Tocco

Thursday: Lionel Hollins

TODAY: Randall Cunningham, Tom Wiesner

Every city needs somebody like Tom Wiesner, but Las Vegas has been fortunate enough to have the genuine article for 37 years.

In his roles as a UNLV regent, successful businessman, community booster and supporter of Valley athletic programs, Wiesner has been about creating opportunities for others since arriving from Green Bay in 1963 to run the local Michelin tire franchise.

Though Wiesner was a terrific athlete in his day, starring for the Wisconsin football team from 1958-60 and going on to pro ball, his commitment to area athletic pursuits will be the foremost topic tonight when he's inducted into the Southern Nevada Sports Hall of Fame.

Wiesner, owner of Big Dog's Hospitality Group in Las Vegas, is being honored along with Randall Cunningham, Jim Colbert, Lionel Hollins and Johnny Tocco.

"That's a pretty nice class, and I'm honored to be a part of it," said Wiesner, 60. "If I've helped people in Las Vegas have greater opportunities through athletics, I'm very happy to have done it. I'm humbled and grateful to be recognized."

Having people applaud and say nice things about you is standard fare at a hall of fame banquet. But in Wiesner's case, it is small payback for the many hours -- and thousands of dollars -- he has given to UNLV athletic programs, Pop Warner football, softball teams and the Las Vegas Boys and Girls Clubs, to name a few.

Wiesner has been especially instrumental in backing the Rebels' football program, no surprise considering he was Wisconsin's co-captain and MVP in 1960, and played in the 1960 Rose Bowl. He was drafted by the Baltimore Colts, traded to the LA Rams, and spent time with the San Diego Chargers in the AFL and Montreal Alouettes in the CFL.

"Yeah, I got fired from three leagues," Wiesner says with a laugh.

Shortly after coming to Las Vegas, Wiesner and former Rebels football coach Bill Ireland started the Quarterback Club, and later the UNLV Football Foundation, which funds scholarships.

In recent years Wiesner has happily facilitated the football series between UNLV and Wisconsin, including the 1996 game attended by a record crowd of 40,091 at Sam Boyd Stadium. The teams are scheduled to meet again in 2002.

"I think the idea is to bring as many big events to town as possible," Wiesner said. "Wisconsin fans travel very well, which is good for the local economy, but having those games definitely raised the profile of UNLV football."

UNLV athletic director Charlie Cavagnaro is grateful for Wiesner's contributions.

"Tom was one of the first people I met when I came to town in 1995," Cavagarno said. "He was on the screening committee to pick the AD, and it was such a positive thing to immediately know somebody who knew so much about UNLV, particularly football.

"I learned quickly that football was Tom's sport and he was proud of it. He stood up and would be counted about UNLV football, which is so meaningful in lean times. When things are going great, you've got more friends than the law allows, but when your program is having hard times, you need people like Tom Wiesner.

"He has always been very supportive. I think it helps that he has a great background in sports himself. It's been a big part of his life, and he has a nice feel for what is most important in athletics."