John Katsilometes on how one UNLV basketball fan juggled a gala and his team’s appearance in the NCAA tournament

Sunday, March 25, 2007 | 7:14 a.m.

As monied Las Vegas Philharmonic supporters filled a Venetian ballroom and pondered long tables filled with silent auction items, a voice from the corner shouted, "Darger! You're my hero!" It was Frank Schreck, esteemed Las Vegas attorney and one of the city's biggest UNLV basketball fans.

Schreck was among the 460 in attendance Friday night at the Saks Fifth Avenue/Las Vegas Philharmonic gala, "An Evening of Elegance and Style," the Phil's annual fundraiser , which this year honored Las Vegas developers and philanthropists Mark and Gloria Fine.

Like a pair of symphony cymbals, the Phil event and UNLV's NCAA tournament game against Oregon crashed early in the program. Big-screen TVs were set up in the cocktail reception/silent auction area, and Schreck (who heaped his "hero!" praise on rough-and-tumble Rebels forward Joe Darger) said that was the reason he turned out. "When I heard they would have the game on, I told Mark I would be here," Schreck said. Then he yelled at the screen, "What is going on?! We can out - rebound the bigger teams, but not these guys?!"

Schreck has been a UNLV hoops fan since before it was UNLV, in the days when the school was the southern division of the University of Nevada. He actually dates to the first year, 1958- 59, when the team played its home games in Dula Gymnasium against the likes of Nellis Air Force Base and Long Beach Navy. "The types of teams we play in exhibition games today, they were our real games back then," said Schreck, who then shouted, " They are getting all the loose balls!" Schreck as been a season ticket holder since the team played at the Las Vegas Convention Center in 1963- 64.

Schreck was hardly alone Friday in front of the big screen. At one point the group watching the Rebels' wrenching 76-72 loss to the hated Ducks included former Gov. Kenny Guinn, Smith Center for the Performing Arts President Don Snyder, Las Vegas Sands President and Chief Executive Officer Bill Weidner, gala emcee Nate Tannenbaum, Las Vegas Arts District Neighborhood President Dick Geyer and Las Vegas jeweler Michael E. Minden. After the game and gala, Schreck looked a bit weary but kept the defeat in perspective, saying : "You know, I think they were just faster than us. They were better. But we deserved to be there."

NoteMart

During Friday's gala our table server was Ofelia Velazquez, herself something of a dignitary. Twice last year Velazquez was honored as the Venetian's employee of the month, and kept that hot streak alive through the end of the year , when she was named the resort's employee of the year among a staff of 7,500. As part of her award, Velazquez, a banquet server, was given a 10-day trip to Venice. When asked which she preferred, the real Venice or the hotel built to replicate the storied city, Velazquez pointed to the floor and said, "It is nicer here." ...

Speaking of famous Las Vegas resorts, El Cortez is offering a special deal for anyone cashing an IRS-issued tax refund check. Cash that check at the El Cortez and the hotel will give you - at no charge! - 5 percent of the total value of the check in free slot play, up to $50. This deal runs year-round and follows the hotel's free robe and towel promotion that has been sweeping the downtown district in March. ...

One of the start/finish spots for this year's Aid for AIDS of Nevada (AFAN) Walk, scheduled for April 15, was the Clark County Government Center. Seems an ideal location, and organizers were optimistic it would generate additional interest in the annual event, until the county informed the group of its no-pets policy at the Government Center. Many AFAN walkers bring their pets, so the organization settled on the World Market Center site (where participants are required to pick up after their pets). ...

A place living off its reputation: the Coffee Pub on West Sahara Avenue. On Friday, a table of four left after waiting a half-hour without ordering. A table of two left without paying (smooth move, ladies). Everyone in the place seemed to have some sort of valid complaint. For months I've been hearing murmurs about lagging service at the pub.

Resonate! Vanity plate on a green Nissan Maxima REYSAN8.