Team effort prodded Rebels into more patriotic moves

At the start of the UNLV-Colorado State game Wednesday, when the national anthem was played, all but one UNLV player placed their right hand over his heart, as a sign of respect. The one who didn't isn't a U.S. citizen.

Player Anthony Marshall started it and the others followed. The Colorado State team didn't follow protocol.

This wouldn't be worthy of note, except ... prior to that night most Rebels didn't follow that protocol, and have unwittingly been annoying some of their fans who do -- such as Las Vegas private investigators Mike Kirkman and Peter Maheu.

Before Wednesday's game, the only player to consistently hold his hand over his heart was Karam Mashour, an Israeli. Go figure. Player Brice Massamba was the only one on the team who didn't Wednesday, but he's not a U.S. citizen.

Kirkman became riled during a game in December, when Wisconsin's players used the proper gesture, but the Rebels did not. Brigham Young University's players do it correctly.

But in the world of sports, it's rare for players to place their hands over their hearts during the anthem, either at the college level or the professional level.

President Barack Obama created a brouhaha in 2007 in Iowa when he stood with his hands clasped together during the anthem when all around him had hands over hearts.

Three times, Kirkman, owner of Las Vegas Detectives, asked UNLV President Neal Smatresk why the Rebels ignore the recommended hand-over-heart protocol during "The Star-Spangled Banner," especially when coach Lon Kruger and two assistant coaches have always set the right example.

Nothing changed.

Then Maheu suggested he contact me. "My dad would have nailed my hand there if I hadn't done it," said Maheu, son of the late Robert Maheu, who ran Howard Hughes' operations.

Kirkman was brutal in his criticism. "Some stand and look straight ahead, some are scratching their butts."

On Tuesday, I spoke to Jerry Koloskie, the deputy director of athletics, who follows the hand-over-heart he was taught by his parents.

"We don't really have a policy. We tell our student- athletes be respectful, and be attentive during the anthem. It's recommended but not a requirement to place their hand over their heart. The student-athletes choose. That's an individual decision on their part," he said. "Very few teams place their hands over their hearts."

Koloskie brought it up with Kruger, who spoke to the players before Wednesday's game. "Lon broached it with the team members, Lon does a great job with that kind of stuff," Koloskie said.

But coaches can only suggest, they can't make it mandatory.

Players chose to listen to Kruger.

Kirkman said when the anthem began, Marshall glanced at the other players and put his hand over his heart. Other players followed his lead.

Kirkman was delighted. The players had a teaching moment, showing the audience, especially the younger ones, how it should be done.

The Rebels lost badly that night, but became winners by doing the right thing.

Koloskie is correct. UNLV can't mandate the hand-over-heart. Players have individual rights and freedom of speech, as do coaches.

Assistant coach Lew Hill doesn't put his hand over his heart and that didn't change Wednesday. That's his choice. This is America and he's entitled to adopt or ignore anthem etiquette. There's no law forcing him. I missed his return call to discuss his reason.

Wish I knew the reasons why so many in the sports world don't see the need to display a love of country.

Tonight, UNLV plays New Mexico. Presuming most UNLV players do as they did Wednesday, credit Mike Kirkman's persistence, Peter Maheu's media savvy, Lon Kruger's intelligence and Anthony Marshall's leadership. Plus a pesky columnist. What a team.

Jane Ann Morrison's column appears Monday, Thursday and Saturday. E-mail her at Jane@reviewjournal.com or call (702) 383-0275. She also blogs at lvrj.com/blogs/morrison.