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Home , Eddie Sutton, Henry Iba Award, Lon Kruger

Coaches 66 Coaches ...... 73 Kruger ...... 68 ...... Kruger Grensing Henson...... 74 Hill...... 75 Shepherd ...... 76 StaffSupport ...... 78 67 Coaches 68 Coaches UNLV finished tied for sixth in the UNLV 2006-07 also marked a return of During MWC action in both 2007 j in those games, and is 8-3 all-time in first-round games, including wins in each of the last five. With UNLV’s Tournament second consecutive NCAA appearance in 2008, Kruger became just the second head man in college basketball history to lead at least four schools to multiple NCAA different appearances. country in total wins in 2006-07 and became the first team in the history Conference to of the Mountain West The reach 30 victories in a season. team also defeated four ranked teams, most in a season in 16 the program’s years. at home as it dominance by UNLV TMC, recorded a 19-1 record at the including wins in each of its last 17 games at home. finished second in the and 2008, UNLV standings with identical 12-4 league Kruger, who was a finalist for the 2007-08 USBWA Henry Iba Award, Award, Iba Henry USBWA for the 2007-08 who was a finalist Kruger, Feb. 9, 2007, earned his milestone 400th career win on who Kruger, onto the catapulted the program back Kruger’s third season at UNLV since reaching the Final best record Finishing the season with UNLV’s first since 2000, but marked UNLV’s Tournament The 2007 NCAA history to win an NCAA Kruger became just the second coach in school which is presented to the national coach of the year, surprised many with surprised many coach of the year, to the national which is presented lose four starters off only did UNLV performance. Not 2007-08 his team’s the off but also the top player Sweet 16 team, Tournament its 2007 NCAA (Joel Year MWC Defensive Player of the bench, who was the 2006-07 The 2007-08 squad was Miami Heat). the NBA’s Anthony – currently with from of the scoring, rebounding and minutes played also without 62 percent the previous year’s a 10-man team. Kruger also worked his magic with just whose that averaged 6-feet, 4.5-inches tall and roster and won with a lineup 6-foot-7-inches. tallest starter was only Thomas & Mack Center, Colorado State at the with a 68-51 victory over with at least 27 wins for the first to back-to-back seasons has led UNLV has won 34 conference 1990-91. In addition, UNLV time since 1989-90 and 12 in seasons (10 in 2005-06, 12 in 2006-07 and games over the last three total since 1991-94. highest three-year program’s 2007-08), which is the marked the program’s 2007 Sweet 16 appearance national stage. UNLV’s only the fifth team in UNLV first since 1991, and the 2006-07 squad became The team was ranked basketball history to reach 30 wins in a season. men’s and won the Mountain West in both major polls for the first time since 1993 time since 2000. championship for the first Tournament Conference country in the final ESPN/ Four in 1991, the team was ranked 14th in the All of this from a team that was picked to finish Poll. Coaches’ Today USA began. fifth in the MWC by the media before the season all That in the Big Dance. the program had gone 15 years without a win the seven-seed in the Midwest Region, Rebels, changed when the Runnin’ Wisconsin and second-seeded Tech marched past 10th-seeded Georgia in Chicago. with his 10th career trip to the Big Dance as a head game and Tournament basketball history to take four coach, he became just the fifth man in college He is just the fourth coach in Tournament. schools to the NCAA different programs to the Sweet 16 history to take three different Tournament NCAA is one of just three coaches since the field was expanded to 64 teams and schools. with four different to win at least one game in the tournament record has a 14-11 Tournament, teams to the NCAA Kruger has led 11 69 Coaching Staff Coaching Hired at UNLV on March 15, 2004, as the 10th full-time head coach on Hired at UNLV to records of 30-7 and 27-8, over Rebels Kruger has led the Runnin’ is one thing, but winning is another, Tournament Getting to the NCAA Mountain West Just prior to leading the squad to back-to-back Over the past two seasons, Kruger home court at Protecting UNLV’s Longtime collegiate and NBA basketball coach Lon Kruger completed basketball coach Lon Kruger NBA Longtime collegiate and his fourth year as the Runnin’ Rebels’ head coach in 2007-08, compiling an Rebels’ his fourth year as the Runnin’ that kept the program in overall 91-42 mark (.684), after finishing a season the national spotlight. Rebel teams Kruger’sRunnin’ first two basketball history, men’s in UNLV leadership - progress that paid showed positive signs of progress under his over the next two seasons in Las Vegas. off Tournament made back-to-back NCAA the last two seasons as UNLV The back-to- 16 in 2007. appearances, including advancing to the Sweet marked the first time that the Runnin’ back Big Dance showings for UNLV Tournament to the NCAA Rebels made repeat trips in consecutive years since 1990 and 1991. Rebels have done just that, logging three wins over the last and the Runnin’ appearance and one in 2008, two years – two in 2007 with the Sweet 16 in the second round this past falling to eventual national champion Kansas March. season, Kruger was championships this past Tournament Conference along with the United States Basketball Year named the MWC Coach of the The consecutive MWC Year. of the District VIII Coach Association’s Writers marked the first since 1990 and 1991 and titles for UNLV Tournament was the first time in MWC history that a school repeated as the conference’s tournament champion. has led the team to a 57-15 mark (.792) 57 victories over that and the program’s span ranks ninth in the country among teams that have played in each of the The total Tournaments. last two NCAA also ranks as the second-most wins over the last two years among teams in the trailing only UCLA. West, Thomas & Mack Center is something the Kruger stresses and his team has responded. Over the last two years, has recorded a 38-3 mark at UNLV home, which includes streaks of 19- and 15-straight games (the 15 straight is in the still active and is the 11th-longest Rebels have also The Runnin’ country). won 24 straight games against MWC TMC, a streak they will opponents at the carry into next season. Coaches (2004-present). ( Kansas State(1986-90),Florida(1990-96),Illinois(1996-2000)andUNLVK overall markin22seasonsasaheadcoachatPan overall markin22seasonsasaheadcoachatPa American (1982-86), New YorkN Knicks. Atlanta Hawksandthenpartofthe2003-04seasonasanassistantwith A coaches, Krugerspentthreeseasons(2000-03)astheheadcoachof coaches NBA. Following18yearsasoneofthenation’s mostsuccessfulcollege professional levels,KrugercametoLasVegas afterafour-yearstintinthe record ofraisingprogramsbyonecoach. his programshavereignedvictorious.Itisarguablythemost-proventrack basketball programandfivetimes–withinatleastfouryearseachtime and itsruntotheSweet16.FivetimesKrugerhastakenoveracollege greatest changeagentafterhetookUNLV back to theNCAA Tournament as its2007Sportsmanofthe Year. that point. games, whichequaledtheUNLV recordformostwinsinMWCactionto and advancedtothesecondround,while2005-06squadwon10MWC of 17-14and17-13,respectively. improvement throughouttheseason. Those teamsrecordedoverallmarks teamwork, toughnessandapositiveattitudegearedtowardcontinual characteristics thatKruger-ledsquadshavealwaysshown:unselfishness, Kruger constructedafoundationforsuccessandhisteamsdemonstrated first-round exits. that span,theprogrammadejusttwoNCAA Tournament appearances,both instability, withninedifferent headcoachesintheprevious13seasons.Over program atUNLV in2004thathadgonethroughaperiodofsignificant season bytheRunnin’ Rebelsin14years. seasons. Additionally, the12conferencewinsforUNLV werethemostina (8-0) inconferenceplayforthefirsttimesince1991-92and1992-93 marks, andhaverecordedtwostraightseasonswithperfecthomemarks 2004-present ansas State tlanta Hawksandthenparto e w Y His abilit A His abilitytobuildprogramsisalsoevidentinthefactthathehasledall At thecollegiatelevel,Krugerhascompiledanimpressive409-275 A veteranoftwo-plusdecadesasaheadcoachonthecollegiateand Kruger hascementedhisplaceinhistoryascollegebasketball’s In Julyof2007,hewashonoredbyLasVegas radiostationESPN920 His 2004-05teamwasinvitedtotheNationalInvitation Tournament During hisfirsttwoyearsinchargeoftheRunnin’ Rebelprogram, Kruger, whoisenteringhisfifthseasoninLasVegas, tookovera t thecolle o rk Kni , Kruger y c ) tobuildpro ( k . 1986-90 s

g . spent iate level,Kru five oftheschoolshehascoachedto20-winseasons. f iv e

) three o , Florida f th g postseason on14different occasions,with11 postseason on14di in theNIT. Hehascompilednine20-plusvictory appearances intheNCAA Tournament andthree i appearances intheNCAA rams isalsoevidentinthe n theNIT. Hehascompil e

Kruger, 56,hasguidedhisteamstothe K

seasons f sc ru the2003-04seasona g g h seasons, wasatwo-timeSECCoachof seasons, wasatw ( er hascompileda er, 5 oo 1990-96 the Year (1992and1994)ledhis the Year l s 1993-94 FloridasquadtotheNCAA 1 h

Final Four Final Four. 993-94 Florid (2000 6 e , has three NCAA Tournament second- three N h round appearancesinhisfour round app ) seasons a seasons andcompiledan81-48 as , Illinois mark mark (.628). At Illinois,KrugerledtheIllinito A -

03) ( Coaching Staff t Illinoi coac 1992 Illinoi Illinois, Krugerguidedthe g ff sec second season, Kruger C

. Illini toa22-10overall p I previous year. Inhis uid a n a ninth-placefinishthe ere llini as ( r record andafourth- re A I In hisfirstseasonat .6 ec h p place finishintheBig th Te the teamhadrecorded Ten Conferenceafter n (1 A

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70 times. single-season school-record29winsandwentontopostseasonplayfour a programthatwasnotfactorintheSECracetoteamposted Tournament. squad finished22-10andagainmadeittothesecondroundofNCAA lastIllinois No. 2MichiganStateintheconferencechampionship.Kruger’s opponents andcamewithinonegameoftheNCAA Tournament byfallingto nation (Sagarinratings). That teamrecordedfivewinsagainstranked and mostinexperiencedteamfacedthesecond-toughestschedulein posted asecond-straight20-winseasonwith23-10record. led theIllinitoschool’s firstBig Ten Championshipsince1984. That team took agroupofplayersthatwaspickedtofinishseventhintheBig Ten and During hissix-yearstintatFlorida,KrugertransformedtheGatorsfrom thirdIlliniteamreturnednostartersandtheBig Ten’sKruger’s youngest The KrugerFamily: Angie, Mike,Lon, BarbaraandKevin. PittsburgSt.- KansasSt.-Grad. Asst. Coach,1977-78 KansasSt.- Asst. Coach,1979-82 Pan American -HeadCoach,1982-86 KansasSt.-HeadCoach,1986-90 Florida-HeadCoach,1990-96 Illinois-HeadCoach,1996-00 AtlantaHawks-HeadCoach,2000-03 New York Knicks- Asst. Coach,2003-04 PittsburgSt.,M.S.,1977 Coaching Exp.: Education: High School: Hometown: Born: Playing Exp.: THE KRUGERFILE SilverLake,Kan. KansasSt.,B.S.,1975 KansasState,1971-74 SilverLake(Kan.),1970 UNLV -HeadCoach,2004-present August 19,1952 Grad. Asst. Coach,1976-77 Coaches Born on Aug. 19, 1952, Kruger graduated from Kansas State in 1975 from Kansas State in Kruger graduated Aug. 19, 1952, Born on Angie, who is have two children: daughter He and his wife, Barbara, in a host of charities, especially the Coaches Kruger has been involved consecutive Community While at Florida, the Krugers were honored with involved Atlanta, Barbara was also heavily stay in During the Krugers’ she is on the board of directors for Safe Nest, a Now in Las Vegas, and in Las Vegas Coach Kruger is involved with many causes with a degree in business and earned his master’s in business and with a degree degree in physical 1977. Pittsburg State in education from from the University of Florida and is currently a medical school graduate from in Gainesville, and son Kevin, who graduated a fourth-year resident for his senior season, starting and played at UNLV Arizona State University played for his father's squad. Last season, Kevin at point guard in 2006-07 Utah Flash and was recently invited to Development League’s for the NBA married to Mike Angie was recently training camp. the Milwaukee Bucks Ciklin. Association of that is sponsored by the National vs. Cancer program was instrumental in starting the Kruger This past May, Basketball Coaches. $152,000 in its first Classic, which raised Coaches vs. Cancer’s Las Vegas Nevada education and treatment programs for the year to benefit research, American Cancer Society. Cancer Institute and the Alcohol & Drug from the Gainesville Community Council on Awards Service of the (Fla.) Volunteer Abuse, and in 1995 he was named the Gainesville Alachua From 1991-93, the couple served as co-chairpersons of Year. Red Ribbon Campaign, a week-long program aimed at increasing County’s for the community. awareness and promoting a drug-free environment home for children 1-3 in charity work, especially “My House,” a transitional years old. Paradise Sertoma is a member of the Las Vegas domestic violence shelter, for the deaf and she is also Club, which provides educational scholarships she is involved Additionally, a sustaining member of the Junior League. time helping the Nevada with PEO Sisterhood and the Krugers spend Youth. Partnership for Homeless ACS, the Clark County School assists, among others, the NCI and the the City childhood obesity, District, Southern Nevada Health District with and the Las Vegas recreation and youth sports, the NPHY of Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department. 71 Coaching Staff Coaching The year before Kruger took over the program (1989-90), Florida the program (1989-90), Kruger took over The year before In Kruger coached at his alma mater. Before his time at Florida, established himself as one of the nation’s Early in his career Kruger Kruger’s coaching career began as a graduate assistant coach at in 1986 as the school’s When Kruger returned to his alma mater the native of Silver Lake, Kan., helped lead the Wildcats As a player, (third team) and Team Kruger was selected to the all-time Big Eight On Feb. 8, 2006, Kruger was honored during a halftime ceremony at a Atlanta Hawks in the ninth round of the 1974 Kruger was selected by the An all-around athlete, Kruger even got some football notice after prep standout at Silver Lake High School, Kruger lettered all four A Kruger spreads most of his athletic talents around golf courses, as Now, finished 7-21 overall and 3-15 in the SEC. In six seasons in Gainesville, the SEC. In six seasons overall and 3-15 in finished 7-21 Tournament. and twice to the NCAA NIT led the Gators to the Kruger twice a 29-8 came in 1994 when he directed UF to His crowning achievement Final Four. mark and a trip to the NCAA four State, he led the Wildcats to a school-record four years at Kansas appearances and an 81-46 (.638) record. Tournament consecutive NCAA all-time best teams as ranks as one of the school’s His 1988 Wildcat squad and tying the school record for wins in a season it compiled a 25-9 mark, of reaching the Final Four. coming within one game at Texas began his head coaching career in South best young coaches. He turnaround in the program. Before American, where he guided a major Pan and after a first- Am had won only five games (1982) Kruger arrived, Pan Kruger’s wins in three squad posted double-digit season seven-win year, final campaign (1985-86). straight seasons, including a 20-8 record in his He then was a graduate Pittsburg State (1976-77) in Pittsburg, Kan. before becoming an assistant assistant coach at Kansas State in 1977-78, coach for the Wildcats (1978-82). followed was typical of that basketball coach, the immediate success that Kansas State was 61-22 which took place when he played for the Wildcats. his coaching marks at the (.735) with Kruger in uniform and combining 67 losses (.679) while part of school, Kruger was part of 142 wins, against the KSU program. After being in 1972 and 1973. to back-to-back Big Eight Conference titles in 1972, he was honored Year Sophomore of the touted as the Big Eight’s best player in 1973 and 1974. He ranks 14th on the school's as the league’s has the fourth-best career career scoring list with 1,063 career points and 17.6 he averaged As a senior, free throw percentage (.826) in school history. career scoring average points per game and is tied for 16th on the school’s best single-game scoring total list with a 13.3 points per game average. His was 37 points vs. Colorado as a senior. All-American Academic An Hustle” all-time in the Big Eight. was named “Mr. All-Big Eight academic honors three times and he also earned as a senior, Most coveted Porky Morgan was the first player to capture Kansas State’s three times. Award Inspirational Player basketball game by having his No. 12 jersey retired. Kansas State men’s Draft. He also starred on the baseball diamond for Kansas State and NBA Astros in 1970 and the St. Louis Cardinals in was drafted by the Houston 1974. During his Wildcat baseball career he posted his best season in 1971 when he went 4-3 as a pitcher (3-1 in Big Eight games) and had an earned run average of 3.33. He struck out 38 and walked 14 in 46 innings. graduating from KSU when the Dallas Cowboys invited him to their 1974 rookie camp as a quarterback. he averaged 23 points As a senior, years in football, basketball and baseball. per game in leading his team to the state basketball tournament, passed for 2,079 yards and 23 touchdowns in nine football games and led the baseball In 2006, Kruger was team to the state tournament as a pitcher/infielder. and Shawnee County Sports Hall Topeka honored by being inducted into the of Fame as part of its inaugural class. he is an avid golfer with a five handicap. Coaches NBA Total (3 years) ...... 69-122 (.361) 69-122 NBATotalyears) . . (3 11-16(.407) . Hawks. Atlanta 2002-03 . . OVERALL (.402) 33-49 . Hawks. Atlanta 2001-02 . . (.305) 25-57 . Hawks. Atlanta 2000-01 . REC. YEAR TEAM 164-118(.582) . (.598) 409-275 . Totalyears) College (22 (.661) 41-21 . (.684) 91-42 UNLVTotal . years). (4 (.750) 12-4 2nd NCAA(1- . . . (.771) 27-8 UNLV. . 2007-08 . (.750) 12-4 2nd NCAA(2 . (.811) 30-7 . UNLV. . 2006-07 . (.625) 10-6 4th . . . (.567) 17-13 UNLV. . 2005-06 . (1-1) NIT . (.500) 7-7 T4th . . . (.548) 17-14 UNLV. . 2004-05 . (.576) 38-28 . (.628) 81-48 . Totalyears). Illinois (4 NCAA . 11-5(.688) 5th . . (.688) 22-10 Illinois 1999-00 . . (.188) 3-13 11th . . (.438) 14-18 Illinois 1998-99 . . NCAA( . (.813) 13-3 T1st . . (.697) 23-10 Illinois 1997-98 . . NCAA( . . 11-7(.611) T4th . . (.688) 22-10 Illinois 1996-97 . . (.520) 51-47 . (.565) 104-80 Totalyears) Florida (6 . (.375) 6-10 East - 5th . . . (.429) 12-16 . . Florida. 1995-96 . (.500) NCAA 8-8 (0-1) . East. - 3rd . . (.567) 17-13 . . Florida. 1994-95 . NCAAFinal (.750) . 12-4 East. - T1st . . . (.784) 29-8 . . Florida. 1993-94 . POSTSEASON (.563) (0-1) NIT 9-7 . East. - 3rd . . (.571) 16-12 . Florida. 1992-93 . (.563) CONF. 9-7 East - FINISH 2nd . (3-2) NIT . . (.575) 19-14 . Florida. 1991-92 . 7-11(.389) 6th . 11-17(.392) . . Florida. 1990-91 . (.607) 34-22 . (.638) 81-46 . Totalyears) State (4 Kansas NCAA(0-1) . (.500) 7-7 4th . . (.531) 17-15 State . Kansas 1989-90 . NCAA(0-1) . CONF.(.571) 8-6 3rd . 19-11(.633) . State . Kansas 1988-89 . 11-3(.786) 2nd NCAA(3-1) . . (.735) 25-9 State . Kansas 1987-88 . NCAA(1-1) . (.571) 8-6 4th . OVERALL 20-11(.645) . State . Kansas 1986-87 . Pan American Total (4years) 52-59(.468) . . . (.714) 20-8 Pan American . 1985-86 . (.429) 12-16 Pan American . 1984-85 . SCHOOL (.481) 13-14 Pan American . 1983-84 . (.250) 7-21 Pan American . 1982-83 . YEAR THREE DIFFERENTSCHOOLSTOTHE

ALL-TIME COACHESLEADINGFOUR DIFFERENT SCHOOLSTOMULTIPLE NCAA TOURNAMENTAPPEARANCES Lon Kruger*(KansasState,Florida,Illinois,UNLV) Jim Harrick(Pepperdine,UCLA,RhodeIsland,Georgia) Eddie Sutton(Creighton, Arkansas, Kentucky, OklahomaSt.) Rick Pitino*(Boston,Providence,Kentucky, Louisville) Lon Kruger*(KansasState,Florida,Illinois,UNLV) Jim Harrick(Pepperdine,UCLA,RhodeIsland,Georgia) Lefty Driesell(Davidson,Maryland,JamesMadison,Ga.St.) Eddie Sutton(Creighton, Arkansas, Kentucky, OklahomaSt.) Lon Kruger*(KansasState,Florida,Illinois,UNLV) Jim Harrick(Pepperdine,UCLA,RhodeIsland,Georgia) Tubby Smith*(Tulsa, Georgia,Kentucky) Bill Self*(Tulsa, Illinois,Kansas) Rick Pitino*(Providence,Kentucky, Louisville) Lon Kruger*(KansasState,Florida,UNLV) * activecoaches NCAA TOURNAMENT’SSWEET16 FOUR DIFFERENTSCHOOLSTO FOUR DIFFERENTSCHOOLSTO ALL-TIME COACHESLEADING ALL-TIME COACHESLEADING ALL-TIME COACHESLEADING NCAA TOURNAMENTWINS THE NCAATOURNAMENT (since fieldexpandedto64teams) CAREER COLLEGERECORD CAREER NBARECORD Coaching Staff 72 squadtoscrimmageagainst USA OlympicDream Team USA World UniversityGames Team (goldmedal)

Assistant Coach-1983U.S.Pan American Team (goldmedal) Head Coach-1987BigEightSelect Team inBeijing,China Served onUSA BasketballSubcommitteethatselectedcollegedevelopmental Appointed byNCAA toserveontheUSA BasketballGamesCommittee Head Coach-1991USA JuniorWorld Championship Team (goldmedal)and1995 Assistant Coach-1998USA World Championshipteam(bronzemedal) NABC DistrictCoachofthe Year, 1988&1994 SEC Coachofthe Year (AP &Coaches’ choice),1992&1994 One of12finalistsforNaismithNationalCoachthe Year Award, 1994 State ofIllinoisCollegiateCoachthe Year, 1997 Inducted intothestateofKansasHallFame,1999 Selected totheNABCSilver Anniversary Team, 1999 Inducted intotheKansasStateUniversityHallofFame,2003 Inducted intothe Topeka andShawneeCountySportsHallofFame,2006 ESPN 920(LV RadioStation)Sportsmanofthe Year, 2007 One of12finalistsfortheUSBWA NationalCoachofthe Year Award, 2008 USBWA DistrictVIIICoachofthe Year, 2008 MWC Coachofthe Year, 2008 Athletics DirectoratPan American, 1982-85 National Association ofBasketballCoachesBoardDirectors,1994-2000 Played on1973U.S. Team (touredChina) ADMINISTRATIVE EXPERIENCE (1-1) INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE 1-1) 1-1) -1) 1) Four (4-1) COACHING HONORS 1973, 1974 1973, 1974 Invitee,1974 1974 (Tel Aviv, Israel),1974-75 1975 Finalist, 1972&1973 1972&1973 Player, 1972,1973&1974 Mr. Hustle) University, 2006

PROFESSIONAL SPORTS Kansas StateDean'sHonorRoll, All-Big Eight Academic HonorRoll, 1974 Academic All-American, Drafted byMLB'sHouston Astros, 1970 NFL's DallasCowboyRookieCamp Drafted byMLB’s St.LouisCardinals, Drafted byNBA's Atlanta Hawks,1974 European ProfessionalLeague NBA's DetroitPistons Training Camp, Big EightSophomoreofthe Year, 1972 Member ofNCAA Tournament Regional Member ofBigEightChampionship Team, Played inEast-West All-Star Classic,1974 Played in Aloha All-Star Classic,1974 KSU PorkyMorganMostInspirational KSU Captain,1973,1974 Big EightPlayerofthe Year, 1973&1974 AP all-timeBigEight Team (thirdteamand No. 12JerseyretiredatKansasState ACADEMIC HONORS PLAYING HONORS EXPERIENCE Coaches Sept. 23, 1957 Asst. Coach, 2005-pres. - UNLV Council Grove (Kan.), 1975 State, 1977-79 Texas Southwest State, B.A., 1979 Texas Southwest Grove, Kan. Council THE GRENSING FILE THE GRENSING Born: Hometown: High School: Education: Coaching Exp.: State, M.S., 1981 Texas Southwest Assoc. H.C., 2004-05 Creighton - Asst. Coach, 1994-04 Creighton - Asst. Coach, 1986-94 Kansas State - Playing Exp.: Asst. Coach, 1984-86 - American Pan Asst. Coach, 1982-84 Idaho State - Asst. Coach, 1981-82 Laredo J.C. - Asst., 1979-81 State - Grad. Texas SW Independence (Kan.) CC, 1975-77 The Grensing Family: Michelle, Gentry, Greg, Tryce and Aubrey. and Greg, Tryce The Grensing Family: Michelle, Gentry, Bobcats to a 49-13 record State and led the Texas Southwest transferred to Following the 1977 season, Grensing finish in the 1979 NAIA in two seasons, including a third-place national tournament. and one (11), Aubrey (13) and Gentry couple has two daughters, and the Taylor, former Michelle Grensing is married to the Grensing also who will be two years old in January. Tryce, son, has a 35-year-old stepson, Justin Nielson. 73 Coaching Staff Coaching n g l i e - v s jo e 2 ol ll

titl title as the team’s sixth man. title as the team’s 6 62-6 record and the 1977 national ass er C College, helping the Pirates to a o g at In at Independence (Kan.) Community 4. g c collegiate playing career as a guard n 8 Grensing started his - a an assistant for the Wildcats. ru erican ter ser Kansa Kansas State and hired Grensing as K Kruger was named head coach at Kruger was named head coach at 82 AAfAA After serving two years at Pan American, After serving two years at Pan rensin American University in Edinburg, Texas. Texas. American University in Edinburg, AmAAAA unior Coll assistant a 19 assistant at Idaho State University from 1982-84. Follow season, Following the 1983-84 Grensing joined Kruger’s staff at Pan Grensing joined Kruger’s at Pan staff Junior College, then two years as an Junior College, then two years as an G J season as a season as an assistant at Laredo (Texas) season as an assistant at Laredo (Texas) Greg Grensing is in his fourth season as assistant coach at Greg Grensing is in his fourth season UNLV. basketball coaching men’s seasons on the Creighton University 11 in May of 2005 after spending was hired at UNLV Grensing the 2004-05 season as the associate head including staff, coach. dated back to Altman, which was a partnership that coach Dana worked for head During his time at Creighton, Grensing of work as assistant 1986-87 when they started three seasons Kruger at Kansas State head coach Lon coaches under UNLV University. and was with him for 15 years staff Altman’s Kan., as a member of left KSU, Grensing remained in Manhattan, When Kruger at KSU and Creighton. As the Runnin' Rebels. six while at Creighton and two with Tournaments, coached in a total of 13 NCAA Grensing has he brought in talented the recruiting coordinator at Creighton, The Bluejays students. basketball players as well as talented last eight years (six NCAA played in the postseason in each of his All-District selection in Academic there and had an Tournaments) of his more notable recruits Two seven of those eight seasons. (Utah Jazz) and player Kyle Korver to Creighton are current NBA player Rodney Buford (New Jersey Nets). former NBA State University in 1979 with a bachelor’s Texas from Southwest Kan., graduated The 51-year-old native of Council Grove, degree in journalism and began his coaching career with a two- year stint as a graduate assistant at his alma mater. State, Grensing spent one Texas education from Southwest after receiving his master’s In 1981, degree in physical

Coaches HensonwasalsoadecathleteatKSU.Heplacedthirdassophomore and ajuniorattheBigEightConferenceChampionships.At 1989 also playedthreeseasonsintheItalianandGreekleagues. teams intheNBA:Milwaukee,Atlanta,Charlotte,PortlandandDetroit. He HensonwasdraftedbytheMilwaukee Bucksinthesecondround of the1990NBADraftwith44thoverallselection.Heplayed five February, 2003. list (527).Hewasnamedtotheuniversity’sall-centuryteamselected in career scoringlist(1,655points)andNo.5onthefieldgoalsmade school’s career3-pointfieldgoalpercentagelist(44.7percent),No.5onthe played (127),starts(118)andminutes(4,474).HeisNo.2onthe Hensonholdsschoolcareerrecordsinassists(582),3-pointfieldgoals made (240-for-537),freethrowpercentage(.900),steals(190),games for-100). attempts andasajunior,hefinishedsecondinthenationat92percent(92- nation infreethrowshootingpercentage,connectingon92.5percentofhis led theteaminscoringasasenior1989-90.Assophomorehe junior in1988-89,heledKSUscoringwith18.5pointspergame.Healso Tournaments, includingleadingtheWildcatsto1988EliteEight.Asa KSU, HensonistheonlyplayerinschoolhistorytoplayfourNCAA Eight Conferencehonorsasajuniorandsenior.PlayingforKrugerat Afour-yearstarteratKansasStateUniversityfrom1986-90,Henson was atwo-timehonorablementionAll-AmericanandearnedAll-Big Henson,40,alsoworkedforKrugerattheUniversityofIllinoisasan assistant coachin1999-2000. Stotts. working undercurrentUNLVheadcoachLonKrugerandthenTerry as wellanadvancescoutfortheNBA’sAtlantaHawksfrom2001-03 South Florida.PriortoworkingatUSF,hespenttimeasanassistantcoach Henson,asix-seasonNBAveteran,cametoUNLVinthespringof 2004 afterspendingoneyearasanassistantcoachattheUniversityof in thecountrybyRivals.com. SteveHensonisinhisfifthyearasassistantcoachatUNLV.In the summer of2007,hewasrecognizedasonethetop25assistantcoaches Big Eightmeet(asajunior)hefinished third overallwith6,886points,winning 1,500-meter run. the javelinandhighjumpplacing second inthediscus,polevaultand A nativeofMcPherson,Kan., Henson graduatedfromKansas State in1990withabachelor’s Hensonandhiswife, degree inhumanmovement. Cindy, havetwosons,Quinton Coaching Staff (12) andPearson (9). 74 The HensonFamily:Quinton,Steve,Th CindyandPearson. KansasState,1986-90 Five Teams, NBA,1990-96 Illinois- Asst. Coach,1999-00 AtlantaHawks- Asst. Coach/Scout, Playing Exp.: SouthFlorida- Asst. Coach,2003-04 2001-03 Coaching Exp.: Education: High School: Hometown: Born: H THE HENSONFILE McPherson, Kan. KansasState,B.S.,1990 F Italian/GreekLeagues,1996-99 McPherson(Kan.),1986 UNLV - Asst. Coach,2004-pres. i l Feb. 2,1968 Q it St C id d P Coaches Asst. Coach, 1989-90 UNLV - Asst. Coach, 2004-pres. - UNLV THE HILL FILE 1983 (N.Y.), Mount Vernon 1988-89 in Germany, Professional Wichita State, B.S., 1988 N.Y. Vernon, Mount The Hill Family: Lewis Jr., Lew and Renee. The Hill Family: Lewis Jr., Hometown: High School: Education: 1992-94 Coaching Exp.: 2003-04 Assoc. H.C., A&M - Texas 1998-03 Asst. Coach, A&M - Texas Asst. Coach, 1994-98 East Carolina - Asst. Coach, Southeast Mo. St. - Playing Exp.: Asst. Coach, 1990-92 Alabama - South Wichita East HS - Wichita State, 1985-88 San Jacinto JC, 1983-85 75 Hill has three Hill has three daughters (Sierra, Erica and Asya), a son (Lewis Jr.) and is coaching career. married to the former Renee Starks. before beginning his before beginning his Vernon High School. Vernon High School. After graduating from Wichita State in 1988 with a bachelor’s degree state performer at Mount in criminal justice, he in criminal justice, he Germany for one season N.Y., native was an all- played professionally in played professionally in Mount Vernon, The Coaching Staff Coaching NCAA Tournament. Hill is in his fifth year as assistant coach at UNLV. Lew from 1998-2003. He University where he was an assistant coach the spring of 2004 from Texas A&M Hill came to UNLV in during his last season served as the Aggies' associate head coach (2003-04) in College Station. and two years as an an assistant coach at East Carolina University A&M, Hill spent four seasons as Texas Prior to his time with at (1992-94). assistant at Southeast Missouri State University collegiate ranks as a part- School in 1989-90, then moved into the at Wichita (Kan.) East High Hill began his coaching career Alabama from 1990-92. time assistant at the University of South the team to the junior (Texas) Junior College in 1983-84, helping As a player, Hill was the starting point guard for San Jacinto JUCO All-America college national championship and earning Valley Conference honors honors. He went on to earn All-Missouri the Shockers to the as a senior at Wichita State University, leading Coaches In1999-00,Shepherdjoined theUniversityofTulsawomen’sbasketball program. TheprogramhadatremendousturnaroundwhileShepherd was coordinated videooperationsasitrelatedtopractice,gamesandscouting. At Florida,inadditiontothesamedutieshehadatIllinois,Shepherd AtIllinoishisresponsibilitiesincludedon-the-floorcoaching,scouting, recruiting andadministeringtheFightingIllinisummerbasketballcamps. Shepherd onthebench. respectively. TheIlliniwerealsocrownedBigTenchampionsin1998with Associated PressTop25in1996-97and1997-98atNo.1922, 23-10 seasons,wonberthsintheNCAATournamentandfinished Inthespringof1996,ShepherdfollowedKrugertoUniversity Illinois whereheservedasanassistantcoach.produced22-10and captured theSoutheasternConferenceEastDivisiontitle. Gators go29-8andmakeaNCAAFinalFourappearance.Thatteamalso His timeatFloridawashighlightedbythe1993-94seasonthatsaw a totalofsixseasonsinGainesvilleasvolunteerandanassistantcoach. volunteer assistantattheUniversityofFlorida,alsounderKruger.Hespent ShepherdwasastudentmanageratKansasStateUniversitywhen Kruger wastheheadcoachandstartedhiscoachingcareerin1990asa Lon Kruger’sAtlantaHawks. to joiningtheHuskies,ShepherdwasascoutforcurrentUNLVheadcoach Shepherd cametoLasVegasinthespringof2004fromNorthern Illinois Universitywherehespentthreeseasonsasanassistantcoach.Prior Mike Shepherdisinhisfifthyearasdirectorofbasketballoperations at UNLV. there asitrecordedthesecondmostwinsinschool history going14-15. attended AllenCountyCommunityCollege AnativeofBurlingame,Kan.,Shepherd, football (4),basketball(4)andtrack(2).He at BurlingameHighSchool.Heletteredin 42, won10varsitylettersinthreesports in Iola,Kan.,andreceivedabachelorof science degreeinsocialsciences from KansasStatein1992. Shepherdismarriedto the formerAllisonWadeand couple hasadaughter, Molly, who willbetwoyearsoldin March. Coaching Staff 76 Florida-Volunteer/Asst. Coach, Illinois- Asst. Coach, 1996-99 Tulsa W. Basketball - Asst. Coach, AtlantaHawks-Scout,2000-01 1990-96 NorthernIllinois- Asst. Coach,2001-04 1999-00 Coaching Exp.: 2004-pres. Education: High School: Hometown: Born: hS lMkMl Alli d ll M Mik il F d h Sh Th The ShepherdFamily:Mike,Molly and Allison. THE SHEPHERDFILE Burlingame, Kan. KansasState,B.S.,1992 Burlingame(Kan.),1984 UNLV -Dir. ofBasketballOperations, June 21,1966 Coaches 77 Support Staff

D.J. ALLEN Community Outreach and Marketing the Runnin’ Rebel program. Allen currently serves as second vice president of the board of directors of D.J. Allen is in his first season working daily with the UNLV men's basketball the Henderson Chamber of Commerce. He also serves on the board of advisors program, however, he has been involved with the program in limited community of the Clark County School District’s School Community Partnership. He is a 2002 outreach and marketing efforts for the past three seasons. graduate of the Leadership Henderson program and a founding board member of He is the founder of Imagine Marketing, a Nevada-based public relations the Henderson Community Foundation. and advertising firm. Since 2000, Imagine Marketing has grown from a one-person, He graduated from UNLV in 1996 with a bachelor's degree in communication home-based business into a team of 15 serving the Southwest. Today, Allen and earned a master’s degree from the school in 2002 in business administration. focuses his efforts on working with UNLV head basketball coach Lon Kruger and Allen and his wife, Stacey, have two children, Bailey (7) and Daniel (5).

ANDY GROSSMAN Dir. of Media Relations He left the world of collegiate athletics in February of 2000 and head- Andy Grossman is in his 13th year with UNLV Athletics and ninth as director ed across town to serve as public relations coordinator for Mirage Resorts, of media relations. Incorporated. When MGM Grand, Inc., merged with Mirage to form MGM MIRAGE, A 1996 graduate of the University of Arizona with a bachelor’s in media arts, Grossman was promoted to public relations manager for the new company. he began in the sports information business as a student assistant in the Wildcats’ In August of 2000, Grossman came back to UNLV to work in his current role athletics department. as director of media relations. In this position, he oversees the sports information From Tucson, Grossman headed to Las Vegas to serve as a sports informa- department and serves as the primary contact for the men’s basketball and men’s tion intern at UNLV in 1996. He was hired as assistant sports information director golf programs. in 1997 and worked with women’s basketball, volleyball and men’s golf, which won He and his wife Melissa have a daughter, Hannah (8), a son, Jake, (5) and the 1998 national title. are expecting another son this winter.

RICH HILLIARD Video Coordinator Rich Hilliard is entering his third season as UNLV's men's basketball Prior to his current role as video coordinator, he spent two years as a gradu- video coordinator. Hilliard is responsible for coordinating the Runnin' Rebels’ film ate manager for the Runnin’ Rebels. During those two years, he was also a gradu- exchange along with breaking down, editing and scouting game footage of oppo- ate assistant for the department of sports education leadership at UNLV, where he nents as well as UNLV's games for evaluation with improved individual and team taught various physical education undergraduate courses. performance as a goal. Hilliard earned a bachelor’s of science degree from UNLV in physical educa- Hilliard is also responsible for supervising the student staff, which includes tion with a minor in athletic coaching in December of 2002 and in May of 2007, he organizing the managers with their daily, practice and game duties. earned his master's of science degree from UNLV in athletic administration.

DAVID JACKSON Associate Director of Support Staff Support Student-Athlete Academic Services David Jackson was named Associate Director of UNLV Student-Athlete in Higher Education Administration in 2002. Before coming to UNLV, Jackson Academic Services (SAAS) in May 2006. Jackson's primary responsibility is to worked in the Texas Tech Athletic department for three years; serving as a student provide academic advisement and support services for the men's basketball and assistant, a graduate assistant, and finally, a counseling specialist. baseball teams, while assisting the Director of SAAS with the administration of the Jackson joined the UNLV Athletics staff in March 2003 and has moved academic support program. through the ranks of Athletic Academic Advisor to Eligibility Coordinator, and now to Jackson earned both of his degrees from Texas Tech University; a bach- Associate Director. He is a member of the National Academic Advisors Association elor's degree in Management Information Systems in 2001, and a master's degree for Athletics.

MIKE JACKSON Director of Ticketing Mike Jackson is in his fourth year as director of ticketing for UNLV After getting his start in the athletics ticketing business at Western Kentucky Athletics. In this position, he is responsible for the coordination and oversight of all University, where he served as the ticket manager from 1996-99, he spent 1999- athletics ticketing operations and policies. 2000 at Saint Louis University as its director of ticket operations. Prior to coming to Las Vegas, Jackson served as the assistant athletic Jackson earned a bachelor's degree in business administration and physi- director for ticket operations at Wichita State University, a position he held from cal education from Mount Union College in Alliance, Ohio, in 1991 and earned his 2004-05. Prior to his time in Wichita, Kan., he was the director of ticket operations master's from Kent State University in physical education in 1995. at James Madison University from 2002-04.

JASON KABO Assistant Director conditioning department, he was promoted to assistant strength and conditioning of Strength and Conditioning coach and then assistant director in 2007. He is in his eighth year overall working with the men's basketball. He also Jason Kabo is a certified strength and conditioning specialist through the works with the men's soccer, men's and women's tennis and swimming and diving NSCA who has been involved with the UNLV strength and conditioning depart- programs at UNLV. ment since 1999. Kabo has also been involved in various basketball skills camps along with Kabo is a Pennsylvania native and a 1999 graduate of Slippery Rock the NBA Pre-Draft Camp throughout his time at UNLV. He also assists with various University (of Pennsylvania), with a bachelor‘s degree in exercise science. NBA Summer League teams during their time in Las Vegas. After volunteering and completing an internship in UNLV’s strength and He and wife Sheri have a daughter, Madeline (4).

ing Texas Christian University but then became a football team manager and then ROCKY RUTLEDGE Assistant Director of an intern in the Horned Frogs' equipment department. Athletic Equipment Rutledge has worked as part of three athletic conferences: the Southwest, Western Athletic and Mountain West. He is a veteran of three bowl games - the A lifelong Texan before coming to Las Vegas, Rocky Rutledge traveled west 1994 Independence Bowl, the '98 Sun Bowl and the 2000 Las Vegas Bowl - as to UNLV in 1999 to begin serving as the Rebels' assistant equipment manager. well as the 2000, 2007 and 2008 NCAA Basketball Tournaments with the Runnin' This season he was promoted to assistant director of athletic equipment. Rebels and three NCAA track championships at TCU. He has also worked with At UNLV, he works with the men's basketball, football, tennis and women’s other events while working at UNLV including the 2007 NBA All-Star Game, USA golf programs. Basketball and the NBA Summer League. A native of Irving, Texas, Rutledge began his career in athletics as a student He graduated from TCU in 1998 with a bachelor's degree in education with trainer at R.L. Turner High School. He continued as an athletic trainer while attend- an emphasis on fitness promotion and kinesiology.

78 Support Staff

BRIAN STERNBERG Director of Marketing and Advertising Sternberg spent the three previous seasons with the Las Vegas Gladiators Brian Sternberg is in his second year with the UNLV Athletics Department as the team's media relations coordinator. He started with the Gladiators in 2003 as director of marketing and advertising. as an intern in the communications department after interning with the Los Angeles He came back to Las Vegas after two years as the director of communica- Dodgers during the 2002 Major League Baseball season. tions for the Philadelphia Soul of the Arena Football League. Prior to that he served A 2004 graduate of UNLV, Sternberg earned his bachelor's degree in mass as the Soul's communications/community relations manager in 2006. communications with a focus in journalism.

DAVE TOMCHEK Athletic Trainer Dave Tomchek is in his 12th season as the athletic trainer for Runnin' Rebel Michigan, he served as a student athletic trainer for the Wolverines. He earned his basketball. In addition to his athletic training duties, he is the travel coordinator master's degree in education from UNLV in 1990. for the team. In his spare time, Tomchek serves as a crew member for the NHRA Prior to returning to UNLV, he spent six seasons in the Atlanta Braves orga- CaterpillarTop Fuel Team as a fuel specialist and athletic trainer for driver Hot nization (1992-97), four years as an athletic trainer and the final two as the strength Rod Fuller. and conditioning coordinator for the minor league department. Tomchek enjoys NHRA, NASCAR, pro wrestling, competing on a semi Tomchek served as a graduate assistant and assistant athletic trainer at professional fishing tour, and spending time with his family. Dave and his wife, UNLV before joining the Braves organization. A 1988 graduate of the University of Denise, have three children, Wyatt, Michaela and Skylar. Support Staff

BRIDGET BYRNE CHRISTIN DOWNING BRACKLEY FRAYER Administrative Asst. Administrative Asst. Faculty Athletics Rep.

2008-092008 09 Student Managers (L to R): Justin Roper, Roper Head Manager Andy Johnson, Johnson David Cleveland, Mike Smalley. Not pictured: Sean Wilson.

UNLV ATHLETICS MEDICAL STAFF

DRDR. GREG BIGLER DRDR. JAMES CALLAWAY DRDR. ALBERT CAPANNA DRDR. CRAIG HAMILTON DRDR. GERALD HIGGINS Orthopedics Dentist Neurosurgeon Optometrist Orthopedics

NOT PICTURED: Dr. Farhan Malik (Sports Medicine Fellow) Dr. James Manning (Orthopedics) Dr. Scott Martin (Orthopedics)

DR.DR KEKEITHITH KOHORKOHORSTST DRDR. MICHAEL MILLIGAN DRDR. DANIEL ORR DRDR. JOSEPH YU Optometrist Head Team Physician/ Maxillofacial Orthopedics Medical Director