Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

UNLV alumni game gives former players a chance to reunite

UNLV alumni game

Justin M. Bowen

Former UNLV basketball players pose for a picture Tuesday night following the annual alumni game at the Thomas & Mack Center.

Washburn vs UNLV

The UNLV men's basketball team got a quick warm-up for the regular season with a 62-52 exhibition win over Washburn.

Click to enlarge photo

Lamar Bigby of the Red team attempts a layup Tuesday during the UNLV basketball program's annual alumni game.

Jim Gostomski sat in the front row of the Thomas & Mack Center Tuesday night with a grin from ear-to-ear as he reminisced about the glory days of the UNLV basketball program.

He was one of roughly 2,000 fans who stayed in the arena to cheer for Rebels of year’s past in the annual alumni game following UNLV’s 62-52 exhibition game victory against Division II Washburn.

The Red team defeated the White 69-61 in the game where the final score was of secondary importance. It’s was more about reuniting with old friends, sharing stories from season’s past and returning to a program they helped turn into one of college basketball’s best.

It was the same way for the fans. The alumni game gave UNLV diehards like Gostomski a chance to seek out autographs and reacquaint themselves with the athletes they spent many winter evenings cheering for.

“I loved that they were called the Runnin’ Rebel and remember watching them run up the court so quickly to score,” said Gostomski, who was stationed at Nellis Air Force Base in the mid-1980s and immediately fell in love with the Rebels.

“The house was just packed with fans and they were amazing to watch.”

Tuesday’s alumni game wasn’t so amazing. With the exception of Warren Rosegreen exciting the crowd with three powerful dunks, the game was what you would expect from out-of-shape former players.

There were turnovers, air balls and plenty of players gasping for air as they raced up the court. The White team even received a technical foul for having six players on the floor.

But on a night where the 1990 national championship team was honored at halftime of the exhibition game, the only thing that mattered was that Rebel basketball was being celebrated.

“The age of the players definitely got to both teams,” David Butler, the starting center on the championship team, jokingly said. “But the main thing is coming out here and supporting the program. We are all proud of what coach Kruger is doing.”

Michael “Spider-Man” Burns coached the Red team to victory and was joined on the bench by his son for the game. Burns wasn’t the only former player who brought his children to experience the festivities and see first-hand the city’s passion for Rebels basketball.

“It’s great to get the guys back together,” Burns said. “It’s a special thing for all of us to be part of.”

Members of the Red team included: Clayton Johnson (1993 to 96), Jermaine “Sunshine” Smith (1993 to 97), Chancellor Davis (1995 and 96), Warren Rosegreen (1995 to 97), Robert Smith (1974 to 77), Larry Moffett (1976 and 77), Lawrence West (1986 and 87), Mark Wade (1985 to 87), Anthony Todd (1987 and 88), Chris Popoola (1999 to 2001), Vince Booker (1999 to 2002), Lou Kelly (1999 to 2002), Lamar Bigby (2001 to 2003), Robert Berkey (2004 to 2006) and Gerald Paddio (1986 and 88).

The White team included: Dedan Thomas (1991 to 94), Reggie Manuel (1991 to 95), Ken Gibson (1992 to 94), Patrick Savoy (1993 to 95), Denny Clarkson (1996 to 98), Len Zarndt (1969 to 71), Darrell Cavanaugh (1971 and 72), Eldridge Hudson (1982 to 87), John Flowers (1983 to 86), Leon Symanski (1984 to 87), Stacey Cvijanovich (1986 to 90), Sean Watkins (1987 to 90), Travis Bice (1987 to 91), David Butler (1988 to 90), James Jones (1988 to 90), Moses Scurry (1988 to 90), H Waldman (1990 to 92), Evric Gray (1990 to 93), Chris Jeter (1987 to 91) and Anderson Hunt (1989 to 91).

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