UNLV Basketball Camp in Las Vegas, Nevada - Lon Kruger Basketball Camp

UNLV Basketball Camp
Facilities: Thomas & Mack Center

It's difficult to imagine a Runnin' Rebel game with a sell-out attendance of little over 6,000 cheering fans, but 23 years ago that was the case for the UNLV team on its home court at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

Back then there were thousands of unfortunate Runnin' Rebel fans who would have given their first born for a ticket to the game. The cries for a new and bigger home court grew louder as the city and the university grew larger.

Those cries were answered when two prominent Nevada bankers, E. Perry Thomas and Jerome Mack set up the original land foundation and donated the first one-half million dollars for the initial architectural renderings and feasibility studies for the building that now bears their names.

On November 21, 1983, the Runnin' Rebels faced the University of Victoria, Canada, in an exhibition contest at a new gray and red complex on the corner of Tropicana and Paradise roads called the Thomas & Mack Center.

Initially the building's construction plans centered around one event only - college basketball. But over its 23-year history, this one-dimensional concept dramatically changed. Because of many physical attributes, the Center is capable of hosting just about any type of event imaginable.

Prior to the 1999-2000 season, the venue underwent a major, multi-million dollar renovation. The list of improvements included modernized entryways, ticket office expansion, improved restrooms, concession
stands and signage, new padded seats and a vibrant new interior design.

As a sporting center, the Thomas & Mack Center has hosted a variety of collegiate events. In 1992, the Thomas & Mack Center was the host for the NCAA Women's West Regional. The WAC Men's and Women's Basketball tournaments were held at the TMC for three years (1997-99), and the next four years (2000-03), the Center hosted the Mountain West Conference basketball tournaments.

The Center has also been home to an array of semi-professional teams including the Las Vegas Thunder of the International Hockey League for six seasons (1993-99), the Las Vegas Sting and Gladiators of the Arena Football League, the Las Vegas Dustdevils of the Continental Indoor Soccer League and the Las Vegas Bandits of the International Basketball League.

Over the years, the Thomas & Mack Center has made a name for itself in the rodeo world. The National Finals Rodeo, formerly held in Oklahoma City, found a home at the TMC in 1985. Known as the "Superbowl of Rodeo," this annual event has spurred a great boost to the once-sagging December Las Vegas economy. The Professional Bull Riding World Finals are also held at the Center each fall.

The TMC also hosts a wide array of concerts each year. Legends Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Diana Ross and Pavarotti have all performed at the Center. Country stars Hank Williams Jr., Kenny Rogers, Dolly Parton, Waylon Jennings and Garth Brooks have performed at the venue. Rockers Red Hot Chili Peppers, Stone Temple Pilots, AC/DC, Aerosmith, Guns N' Roses and ZZ Top have made stops at the T&M as have Elton John, Billy Joel, U2, Lionel Richie, Eric Clapton, the Dixie Chicks, Celine Dion and Phish.

Family-style entertainment has also grown at the Center. Family shows include the Harlem Globetrotters, Sesame Street, Barney, World Wrestling Entertainment, Dragon Tales, and Bear In The Big Blue House.

The Center also hosts industrial shows. These types of events depend on the large accommodations, experienced managers and unique floor plans that the Center can offer.

Offering a well-rounded program of events has made the Thomas & Mack Center one of the premier facilities in the West and Amusement Business Magazine consistently ranks the Runnin' Rebels home court as the number one university venue in the country.