It’s all about the ladies

Hello Rebel fans! I attended a fabulous event last weekend at the Mendenhall Center that I wanted to share with you all. It was called “Slam Dunk Social” and it was open to all ladies over the age of 18. The event was a basketball clinic that offered behind-the-scenes experience and a crash course in Runnin’Rebel basketball.

I took my oldest daughter, Diana, with me and we had such a great time. The approx. 60 women who attended were split up into 4 groups. Each group had a guide who led us through four stations. The first stop for my group was a tour of the Mendenhall Center where we were able to see the weight room, therapy room, locker room, player’s lounge and all the possible uniforms that the Rebels will wear.

Our second stop was in the video room where Coach Rice and Coach Hilliard showed us how they go through the game tape to identify weaknesses or strengths of both our team and the opponent.

Our third stop was the most fun as Coach Augmon and Coach Good showed us a defensive stance against a partner. They were not afraid to tell us if we were out of position! Both Coach Augmon’s and Coach Good’s wives were also there to help.

The last station of the clinic was with Coach Miller and Coach Simon who taught us some offensive drills. Let’s just say I’ve seen these drills thousands of times watching practice, but ours did not look anything like it does when the team is doing it. By the time we figured it out, the coaches switched it up and sent us in the other direction! Coach Miller and Coach Simon’s wives both helped with this activity.

When everyone was done with their stations, we sat down and the whole team came out for a group picture and we each got a brand new basketball for them all to sign. It was fun to meet each player and chat with them for a few minutes before getting autographs and pictures with them!

After that, we went upstairs to munch on hors d’oeuvres from Cabo Wabo and cocktails from Wirtz Beverage. We were able to ask questions of all the coaches’ wives including Coach Rice’s wife, Mindy and Coach Hilliard’s girlfriend, Lauren Walters. They are a fun bunch of strong women who support their husbands in this crazy profession of coaching.

We were each given a raffle ticket when we walked in the door and they gave away some fabulous prizes. For once, I didn’t win a prize. I think I jinxed it by saying I always win things like this. Oh well, it’s good to let others have a chance every now and then :)

The food, the atmosphere and the environment made the whole event so much fun and got everyone even more hyped up for the season to start. I am so glad I was able to attend.

Now lets run down a few Rebel sports that we don’t always hear so much about. The UNLV women’s volleyball team is 15-5 overall and 3-2 in the Mountain West. They’ve held Cancer Awareness Nights at their last two games to raise money for local girl and former volleyball player, Victoria Godkin, who has bone cancer, and the Nevada Childhood Cancer Foundation. The Rebels are headed on a four-game road trip from San Jose to Reno to San Diego back up to Fresno and will return home on October 30 for a match against Wyoming at 6 p.m. in the Cox Pavilion. They also have a home game on November 1 against Colorado State and if you bring your football game ticket from that day, you can get in for free!

The UNLV women’s soccer team is 7-6-1 overall and 2-4 in the Mountain West. They are also ready to head out on a road trip and will be back for their last home game on October 26 at 1 p.m.

I can’t forget about the boys. Congrats to the football team who beat Fresno State for the first time since 1984 on Friday night. It was a fun game — stressful at the end — but the good guys managed to get the victory. It was nice seeing the guys celebrate on the bus heading back to campus for a change. They have this weekend off to rest up before heading to Logan, Utah to face Utah State on October 25.

And getting back to basketball (we always come back to basketball), don’t forget that #FIRSTLOOK (Scarlet & Gray Showcase) is this Thursday, October 16 at 7 p.m. at the Thomas & Mack Center. The 2014-15 Runnin’ Rebels will be introduced and have a short scrimmage and a 3-point contest. There will also be an opportunity to get posters autographed after the event.

The Lady Rebels will have their #RiseAndShine event on Saturday, October 18 at 11 a.m. and it will be held at the Mendenhall Center. There will be a Q&A session, autographs and photo opportunities with this year’s team.

One last thing … do you have a cat or dog? If so, you have to check out these UNLV beds you can buy for them!

Rebel fans, I hope to see you all at the Scarlet and Gray showcase this week or at one of the events I mentioned in the near future. As always, GO REBELS!

Contact Lori Cox at unlvgirlblog@gmail.com or follow her on Twitter @UNLVgirl.