Rebel Traditions Rebel Mascot

UNLV ALMA MATER

Alma Mater, we praise you
For spirit, the eternal flame,
Strength which never falters,
A tribute to your name
Alma Mater, we thank you,
Exalted Scarlet and Gray.
Truth and wisdom from your standard
In our minds and hearts will stay
Alma Mater, we cherish you.
And in our days that are yet to be,
Our voices let us ever raise
In honor, U-N-L-V

UNLV FIGHT SONG: "Win with the Rebels"
Win with the Rebels a victory today!
Win with the Rebels, the Scarlet and Gray.
From mountains that surround you to far across the sea
We'll win with the Rebels of UNLV.
U-N-L-V UNLV Go, Fight, Win.
We'll win with the Rebels of UNLV.

UNLV CHEERLEADERS & DANCE TEAM
Two of the nation's best-known spirit squads, the UNLV Cheerleaders and the UNLV Dance Team (Rebel Girls) are fixtures at all Rebel football games. The teams perform at various UNLV athletic events and volunteer their time to appear at various events throughout the Las Vegas community. The Dance Team also devotes time to instructing the Dancin' Rebels ?? an award?winning group of girls age 4 to 16 years old.

THE STAR OF NEVADA MARCHING BAND
Numbering more than 100 strong, the Star of Nevada Marching Band, which began in its present form in 1978, is a big part of Rebel Football Gameday. Whether it's pumping up the crowds at the Rebel Experience or entertaining fans at halftime and post-game, home Saturdays at Sam Boyd Stadium would not be the same without strains of "Win with the Rebels" peppering the autumn air. Directed by Tony LaBounty, the UNLV band also performs at other University-related events as well as select convention appearances.

THE FREMONT CANNON
Trophy Helps Illustrate Importance of State Rivalry
Not simply a traveling trophy for the winner of the UNLV vs. Nevada, Reno game, the Fremont Cannon is ever-present at the now-annual Battle for Nevada because its keepers fire a blast each time their team scores.

The tradition of awarding the cannon to the victors started a quarter century ago when the Rebels' first football coach, Bill Ireland, felt the young rivalry between the north and south schools could use a symbolic trophy to stimulate interest. The prize turned out to be a replica of the howitzer used by John C. Fremont, one of America's foremost trailblazers, as he headed west into Nevada in 1843. Legend has it that Fremont violated U.S. War Department rules by taking the cannon with him on his westward trek without permission and then abandoned the weapon in a Sierra-Nevada snowdrift.

Built by the Kennecott Copper Corp., Nevada Mines Division, the cannon is valued at more than $10,000 and is considered one of the best, and loudest, symbols of rivalry in the college football.

The Wolf Pack held the cannon first because they had beaten the Rebels 28-20 in the first game of the series on Thanksgiving Day 1969. UNLV promptly won rights to the big gun in 1970 with a 42-30 home win and went on to dominate the series with eight wins in the next 11 games played. After UNR rebounded to win five straight games (1989-1993), UNLV regained the cannon in its Silver Anniversary Year in 1994. Last year's 31-20 UNR win gave the Pack a 14-10 lead in the series, which has been continuous since 1987. The teams will meet in Reno on Oct. 2 to once again decide who gets to keep the cannon.

REBEL & ROUSER
Since premiering its riding skills during the 1992 season opener, the live Rebel mascot has led the UNLV football team onto the field at all home games aboard the horse Rouser.

The duo, embodying the Rebel spirit, performs various stunts in a pre-game ceremony and throughout the game, including waving the UNLV flag to signal that the home team is ready for battle.

With the retirement of the original Rebel and Rouser, this fall's games will be the debut season of Charlene Hyatt riding a pure-white mare Rouser. The 15-year-old Davenport Arabian is a relative of the original Denver Broncos' mascot, Thunder.

VOICE OF THE REBELS -- DICK CALVERT
A familiar sound to UNLV fans of all ages, Dick Calvert, the "Voice of the Rebels" returns for another year as the game announcer at Sam Boyd Stadium and the Thomas & Mack Center.

Entering his 29th season, Calvert has done public address for Rebel football, Runnin' Rebel basketball and Rebel soccer and has never missed a football assignment at Sam Boyd Stadium.

The California native is one of the most experienced broadcasters of American professional soccer, having served 18 seasons in both the North American Soccer League and the Major Soccer League. He also has served as play-by-play voice of numerous Rebel football and men's basketball games as well as the IHL, NBA and minor league baseball. He and his wife, Anne, have raised four children and are the proud grandparents of nine.