Coach Olivier Leads in the Return of Rebel Pride

UNLV Lady Rebels Head Coach, Kathy Olivier, (pictured on right with me) had a near perfect debut last night. As her Rebels soundly beat Sacramento State 92-71. The team also scored 90 or more points in a game for the first time since Jan 2, 2005.

Brittany Halberg hit six 3-point shoots on the way to 22 total points. Shamela Hampton has a double - double with 18 points and 12 rebounds.

This was also a total team effort, with the bench coming and giving the starters rest. The bench expanded the lead, and helped at key moments during the game.

If anything needs some work coming out of this game, its not missing free throws shots, and not coming out cold for the first few minutes of the second half. That said, the Rebels never trailed in this game. The couching staff's plan of attack work very well.

For more on this game please visit, http://www.unlvrebels.com/

This really was a new era for Lady Rebel Basketball as 1,046 fans were in the Cox Pavilion. My hope is the retention rate is high for the rest of the season. I did my part as I brought my friend, Steven, as a new season ticket holder himself this year. This is my family's 5 year as a season ticket holder.

It was super to see the bond and support of UNLV's Woman Sports programs, as members from Volleyball, Soccer, Swimming, and Softball Teams were in attendance. The Rebel Cheerleaders and The Rebel Girls Dance Team were performing or in the stands.

UNLV Softball is another sport in which I'm a season ticket holder. There season will start on February 6th. It was nice to see team members Marissa Nichols, Kendall Fearn, and Traci Odegard among others. (Traci, my children and I pictured below)

After the game, I attended a social with other season ticket holders, player's parents, former and current players, and the couching staff. It was a great fun for my children and I to see everyone. I was excited to see Samantha Stickerler again, who left the team mid season last year after the loss of her father. I wish her nothing but the best in the future.

Couch Olivier joked with Steven and I that she could tell we are going to be trouble. She really has no idea. Steven and I will be dropping in on practices as well, attending games, and other events all season long.

I'm very much a New England style of fan. We take great interest and pride in the teams we follow. We are the extremely loyal. We are first ones to lavish praise for a job well done. We are also the first to speak up when thing are not good or need improvement. I grew up with Red Sox, Bruins, Celtics, and Patriots. I know great joy and equally great heart ache.

I truly believe as I told Coach Olivier, that she is a breath of fresh air to this program. She and her staff have the team working harder then ever. They also have The Lady Rebels enjoying playing the game and being a team. That can only be a winning combination.

Here are some pictures of my children, and my children with UNLV mascot, Hey Reb.

It was a great and exciting night out for my children and I. We really enjoy ourselves! We are all looking forward to Tuesday night. The Lady Rebels take on Southern Utah at the Thomas and Mack Center as the first part of a double header with the Runnin' Rebels, Men's Basketball program.

On the way to bring Steven home, we stop at a 24 -hours Dunkin' Donuts and had a treat. It was a special way to cap off the event.

After dropping my friend, and heading back to my complex, I got a nice reward. Two children fast asleep in their car seats. I hated to do it, but woke them up for the short walk from the parking spot. They got their shoes off and were almost immediately fast asleep again. Dreaming no doubt of one day being a Rebel themselves.

A perfect ending, to a perfect night out!

I leave you with one last picture, it's of the scoreboard at the Cox Pavilion. Enjoy!