Fan club gives Spoon a boost

Steve Guiremand

Thursday, Oct. 17, 2002 | 8:35 a.m.

With budget cuts and shortfalls the rule in college athletics these days, schools are turning more and more to the private community for funding.

Such is the case with the new UNLV Runnin' Rebel Basketball Club, which will help the men's program with everything from recruiting expenses to paying for summer school for players.

"We actually started it last year," said Greg Unruh, associate director of VIP Donor Services with the UNLV athletic department. "Our goal was to find 10 founding members to donate $10,000 each to get the program up and running."

Unruh hit the jackpot. He lined up 31 founders who raised more than $300,000 for the basketball program.

Now the organization, similiar to the Rebel Football Foundation, has begun accepting general memberships which start at $250 and go all the way to $5,000.

Members receive priority points that go toward upgraded seating at Rebel home games. Depending on the donation, members get perks that range from free hats and program recognition to travel with the team on road games.

The Runnin' Rebel Basketball Club is also putting the final touches on a preseason banquet which will be held on Thursday night, Nov. 14, at the Cox Pavilion. Former Arkansas head coach Nolan Richardson will be the keynote speaker and Unruh is hopeful for a turnout of about 500.

"Basically, we want 100 percent of the revenues to be used for the men's basketball program for things that their budget can't cover," Unruh said. "That can be anything from providing financial assistance for players to attend summer school, to recruiting costs, to academic support costs, to chartering planes for away games.

"We chartered to a couple of games last season. This year we'll be doing it for all the conference road trips as well as the Nevada-Reno game. It really helps the kids out a lot with everything that is going on at airports these days. You don't have to wait around and after the game you can fly right back in time for school the next day. And it's big plus when it comes to recruiting."

UNLV coach Charlie Spoonhour said the club has done a great job.

"With the way the economy is now and budgets getting trimmed everywhere, it's imperative to have a group like this contributing to the program," Spoonhour said.

Spoonhour said all expenses must be approved by a vote by the club's board as well as Spoonhour and UNLV senior associate athletic director Jerry Koloskie.

Those interested in joining the UNLV Runnin' Rebel Basketball Club should contact Unruh at 895-4826.