The University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) Department of Athletic Records consist of UNLV sports memorabilia, programs, magazines, media guides, and newsletters from the athletics department. The collection has materials documenting both women and men's teams including basketball, swimming and diving, and golf. Other teams include track and field, cheer and dance, and softball. There are also materials that document Jerry Tarkanian's role coaching the men's basketball team.
Archival Collection
The Hank deLespinasse Photographs (approximately 1960-2002) contain the professional work of Hank deLespinasse while working in Las Vegas, Nevada. The photographs document a variety of events in the region. DeLespinasse photographed for Sports Illustrated and covered regional news events for TIME, Newsweek, and other local, national, and international publications. The collection contains 35mm, 120mm, and 4x5 film, slides, and contact sheets. Assignment numbers (also referred to as set numbers) are included when provided. Some assignment folders also contain contracts, newspaper clippings, and shoot-specific notes taken by deLespinasse.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Dan Coronel conducted by Claytee D. White and Stefani Evans on May 23, 2024 for the Game On! The Oral History of Las Vegas Sports project. In this interview, Coronel discusses when he began playing lacrosse in the sixth grade while living with his family in Baltimore, Maryland. When Coronel moved to California, he began to play on the Malibu lacrosse team whose home field was at Pepperdine University. He recalls later switching to the South Bay Club, and as the sport gained more popularity in Las Vegas, he found himself refereeing games in the city often. Eventually, he describes making connections with the two original clubs in Las Vegas: the Centennial Bull Dogs and Palo Verde Panthers. He talks about working across the 11 districts in the United States and in many foreign countries as a referee, and his excitement about seeing lacrosse in the 2028 Olympics. He discusses lacrosse not being santioned in Clark County School District, which means it is still a club sport. However, Coronel works to make sure anyone interested can play lacrosse, connecting equipment manufacturers and others who may have a surplus with those in need. Digital audio, transcript, and photographs available.
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Oral history interview with Sonny Reizner conducted by Jack Painter on an unknown date between 1970 and 1985 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Reizner discusses his time working at the sports book for Castaways Hotel and Casino Bowling in Las Vegas, Nevada. Reizner goes into detail about writing and managing the sports books. Later, Reizner talks about sports betting, the process, and its growth. Finally, Reizner describes the culture of sports betting and the logistics of how to succeed in the field.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Al McDaniels conducted by Rodney Goosby on February 28, 1980 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. McDaniels discusses his personal history and his education at the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR) and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV). McDaniels later discusses the significance that sports had throughout his life and his job as a sports coach at UNLV. McDaniel then recalls the changes in social structure throughout Las Vegas, Nevada.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Rick Arpin conducted by Claytee D. White and Stefani Evans on May 22, 2024 for the Game On! The Oral History of Las Vegas Sports project. In this interview, Las Vegas native Rick Arpin reflects on his East Las Vegas childhood, his career in accounting and finance, and his role with MGM Resorts in conceiving, building, and operating the T-Mobile Arena, home of the Vegas Golden Knights. Arpin mostly focuses on the idea of what would become T-Mobile arena, possible sites and designs for the arena, and putting everything on hold through the financial crisis (2008-2009) and the building of City Center (2008-2010). He talks about MGM Resorts realizing they had to manage all sports and entertainment venues across the company, including security, vendors, booking, and all operations. Arpin recalls the multiple people, institutions, and determination that helped chip away the "stigma" that professional and collegiate sports felt clouded Las Vegas as a location for professional or collegiate sports. Digital audio and transcript available.
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Oral history interview with Ron Futrell conducted by Claytee D. White and Stefani Evans on September 30, 2024 for the Game On! The Oral History of Las Vegas Sports project. In this interview, Futrell recalls arriving in Las Vegas, Nevada in 1984 from Washington state where he had worked as a sportscaster. Growing up, Futrell shares he had a love of baseball, football, and basketball. He recalls attending Mt. San Antonio College in California as a communications/broadcasting major, and worked in sports journalism ever since. Three days after he arrived in Las Vegas, he reported on the Jazz v. Lakers game at the Thomas & Mack and interviewed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar after the player broke the all-time scoring record. Futrell remembers having to learn about sports betting and about emceeing a 1984 Las Vegas Gold Swim Team fundraiser with Frank Rosenthal. He describes the years-long tension between UNLV Administration, Athletic Directors, and Jerry Tarkanian in a time when sports reporters had to “choose sides.” He describes the salary scandal surrounding basketball coach Rollie Massimino and a "cam scam" in Tark's final year, when a camera was hidden in an air duct in UNLV's North Gym to film a conditioning class. Futrell's relations with UNLV temporarily soured when he broke the 1998 story about UNLV Athletic Director Charlie Cavagnaro using racist and sexist language in describing black and female athletes. However, he later taught for three years in the School of Communications. Digital audio available; no transcript available.
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Dorothy Bell Scans UNLV-Public Lands Institute. Labeled on back: Famous "It" girl in London. Miss Clara Bow, the film star accompanied by her rancher husband, who is also a film actor, arrives in London from America. Miss Clara Bow, photographed at the Dorchester Hotel, London, W., S. & G., 21/12/32. Stamped on back: This photograph must not be reproduced in any form without our official permit. Sports & General, Press Agency, Limited, London, Copyright
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