Southern Nevada has a long, rich history as a premier destination for professional sports, but the explosion we’ve seen here the past several years with NHL, WNBA, and NFL franchises has been nothing short of historic. 

With the Super Bowl and Formula 1 also coming to Vegas in less than a year, it’s not hyperbole to say that our community is quickly becoming the sports and entertainment capital of the world. 

At UNLV, I believe it’s imperative that we capitalize on this momentum by working with new and existing partners to advance sports-related research and innovation, and that we position academic programs to educate future leaders for a sports industry that will be so critical to our regional economy for years to come.

One area front and center with prospects for career growth is sports journalism, and students in UNLV’s Greenspun College of Urban Affairs have a unique opportunity to capture Vegas sports history as it’s unfolding. They’re part of Rebel Report — our student-run sports broadcast and social media outlet — and they’re building resumes here that are as stout as anywhere in the country.

The pro sports surge has also led to numerous volunteer and internship opportunities for students interested in sports management and business, and — through a new partnership driven by our Sports Research and Innovation Initiative — dozens of UNLV students will gain the internship experience of a lifetime over the next year as part of the Las Vegas Super Bowl Host Committee. 

It’s an amazing time to be a sports fan in Southern Nevada! I invite you to read more about two of the many ways UNLV students are making the most of their opportunity to be a part of our burgeoning local sports scene. Go Rebels! 

Keith E. Whitfield, Ph.D.
UNLV President