As the final game at Sam Boyd Stadium nears, UNLV Athletics has posted its top five favorite moments in the stadium's long history here in Southern Nevada. From Wayne Newton to a Bellagio-esque sprinkler malfunction, UNLV's sports information team compiled a quality list of its top memories at the old Silver Bowl.
UNLV Football will be leaving the Sam Boyd for good after Saturday, moving into the $2 billion Allegiant Stadium closer to campus. The Rebels kick off against San Jose State at 1 p.m. but the pregame tailgates are expected to be a fun final goodbye to the stadium out near the marsh. Here is UNLV Athletics' top five favorite Sam Boyd moments, per UNLVRebels.com.
*** This list and subsequent copy was provided by UNLV Athletics.
'Mr. Las Vegas' to the rescue (1978)
Now known as the Star of Nevada Marching Band, UNLV's student music group that appears at Sam Boyd Stadium once went by the moniker UNLV Showband of the Stars. That unusual title came about because prior to 1978, there was no band at the games. All that changed when entertainment icon and Las Vegas resident Wayne Newton decided to throw a concert with the proceeds going to start a marching band program at his hometown university. A sold-out crowd at the Aladdin Theatre for the Performing Arts enjoyed a start-studded night of performances from not only Newton but also his pals Paul Anka Glen Campbell, Sammy Davis Jr., Robert Goulet, comedian Shecky Greene and — no doubt fresh from a run on the $10,000 Pyramid — Mr. Nipsey Russell. In its first season, the aptly named Showband of the Stars made a cameo on the ABC television series "VEGA$" and a year later traveled to Los Angeles to do the pregame and halftime shows at the Coliseum as the Rams hosted the New York Giants. By 1979, the 130-piece group also included the Stardusters Rifle Corps, the Silver Stars Drill Team and the Silver Stars Twirlers.
The Great Press Box Implosion (1999)
First it was the Dunes that came down. Then the Sands went. And the Aladdin eventually fell. Truly, the great era of Las Vegas Hotel Implosions was in full swing in the late-90s when UNLV got in the act and staged an implosion of its press box at Sam Boyd Stadium just a month after hiring a legendary head coach in John Robinson. Wood-handled hammers were handed out as souvenirs to the VIPs on hand bearing the slogan "Knocking Down the Past, Kicking Off the Future." Honestly, it was an overdue event as the widely detested press facility, which featured seating for only a dozen or so who sat at ancient folding tables with views obstructed by fans in the top rows of the stadium. The media was on hand and stadium director Pat Christenson welcomed up longtime Rebel beat writer Steve Carp for a ceremonial throwing of the hammer to help signify bringing the rickety structure down. Christenson pushed down the blasting plunger that did the deed. Well, not really, because the theatrics of the implosion were largely staged with pyrotechnics but the point was that the ancient press box was soon gone for good. Just eight months later, a shining jewel of a media tower with club seats and luxury suites took its place and, two decades later, what is now known as the Findlay Toyota Tower is still considered home of one of the best press boxes in the nation even as it hosts its final events.
The night the lights went out (2002)
In America's City of Lights, a college football game was called because of darkness as No. 25 Wisconsin left town with a bizarre 27-7 win over UNLV. Played under cloudy skies that left the temperatures below normal triple digits, the game actually ended with 7:41 remaining in the fourth quarter because the stadium lights went out – and stayed out. UW had built a big first-half lead and after a scoreless third quarter, hit a field goal to make it a 20-point advantage. Following the ensuing kickoff UNLV ran one play before darkness suddenly enveloped Sam Boyd Stadium and threw the ESPN2 telecast off the air. After emergency lighting kicked in and staffers worked furiously to get things up and running, the Wisconsin Marching Band put on a concert for the state-record crowd of more than 42,000 with an earlier-than-anticipated rendition of their famous Fifth Quarter performance. UNLV head coach John Robinson and UW head coach Barry Alvarez conferred with officials and eventually agreed to call it a night and make the score final. Robinson said it was time to clear the field. "It was in the best interests of our student-athletes to call the game. I didn't want to put anyone on the field or in the stands at risk. Wisconsin had a decided edge. I liken it to finishing by a technical knockout." Because the game fell just short of becoming official per gaming rules, more than a few conspiracy theorists among the more than 15,000 Wisconsin fans on hand claimed the Las Vegas sports books ordered the blackout so avoid paying off the Cheeseheads who threw down some coin on their beloved Badgers. Clear-headed folks and media reports settled on the rumor that a car ran into a transformer near the stadium but it turns out that the blackout was caused simply by some old NV Energy wiring serving the facility going out at an inopportune time.
Coach Jackson dips early to promote boxing match
It was an old-fashioned Wild West shootout when the Wyoming Cowboys came to town near the end of the 2002 campaign. Former USC super transfer Jason Thomas had statistically the best game of his college career, hitting 20-25 passes for 329 yards through the air. The Rebels built multiple two-touchdown leads throughout the night to feel in complete control. In fact, while ahead 42-28 in the fourth quarter, UNLV offensive coordinator, the late, legendary John Jackson, was spotted by media heading out of the stadium so that he could make it to a boxing match across town. That's because Jackson, who previously ran Forum Boxing and helped develop the Prime Ticket sports cable network, was promoting a professional fight card. "JJ" had cleared the move with head man John Robinson ahead of time – only problem was that no one told Wyoming that the game was over and the Pokes rallied to tie things at 42 and force overtime using a Hail Mary pass from Casey Bramlet to Scottie Vines as time expired. Wyoming got the ball first and rushed for a score to earn its first lead of the night. However, the extra-point attempt sailed right to make it 48-42. UNLV wasted no time attacking the suddenly deflated Cowboys and Thomas reared back and tossed a perfect strike to fullback Steven Costa on a wheel route for a 25-yard score, which made Costa the first fullback in school history to post a 100-yard receiving game. Dillon Pieffer's perfect extra point ended what was at the time the highest-scoring game in Mountain West Conference history and gave UNLV its first-ever OT victory. No word, however, on who won the boxing match.
Sprinkler malfunction creates 'Bellagio Fountains Night'
Call it a Homecoming Miracle. Not only did quarterback Dalton Sneed turn in one of the most exciting plays ever — turning what looked like a sure safety into the longest rush in school history at 91 yards right into the end zone — but the Rebel game also featured a water show at Sam Boyd Stadium. Indeed, the world famous Bellagio Fountains seemingly made an unscheduled appearance on the UNLV sideline as a geyser shooting between the team and stands sent the players scrambling. Turns out that a broadcast camera cart patrolling the sideline accidentally broke a pipe and inadvertently created a unique football fountain. The game itself, which was paused for just a few minutes because of the wet wonder, was equally memorable for the home crowd as UNLV went on to thump Fresno State, 45-20. *** This list and subsequent copy was provided by UNLV Athletics.
