LETTERS

Thursday, May 4, 2006 | 7:33 a.m.

UNLV needs some good hires

Regarding Ron Kantowski's column on the Thomas & Mack Center ("T&M is under assault," May 1):

It's about time someone starts bringing to light the joke that the UNLV athletic department has become. More needs to be printed about the fact that Athletic Director Mike Hamrick received a raise and contract extension and has produced nothing.

The basketball team is worse than when he got here. And while I believe football is heading in the right direction, in the real world you don't get raises based on potential but on results.

Interest in UNLV sports is at an all-time low and the Rebels have fallen behind UNR in football, basketball and baseball. Why? Because they continually hire the wrong people.

Arena is serving its purpose

I agree with Ron Kantowski's article on the Thomas & Mack Center. The arena, while not as opulent and "new age" as others, still fits its original intent.

The powers that be are simply trying to find added support for their cause. The "it's what we need to get a pro team" approach did not carry enough weight, so they found a way to bootstrap additional leverage to the fight.

If they want to talk about a waste of time and money, not to mention the long ago sweetheart deal that foretold the low attendance figures to come, they should talk about how the money for the Sam Boyd Stadium refurbishment should have been put toward constructing a stadium...

UNLV may be a flagship university, but the athletic ship has been taking on water for some time.