Real news. Real stories. Real voices.
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
Supported by

UNLV Hey Reb Mascot Here To Stay

UNLV's mascot Hey Reb is seen during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Northern Iowa, Thursday, March 18, 2010, in Oklahoma City.
AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez

UNLV's mascot Hey Reb is seen during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Northern Iowa, Thursday, March 18, 2010, in Oklahoma City.

UNLV President Len Jessup stated Monday that he supports both the use of the Rebel nickname and the Hey Reb mascot, and believes the majority of students do as well.

Students recently protested the Rebels nickname and mascot saying they were symbolic of racism.

Jessup cited an analysis that was done on the history of the Rebels, and said he thinks it is in integral part of UNLV’s identity.

Dr. Ranier Spencer, the university's chief diversity officer, was the person who conducted that analysis, and tells KNPR what he found. 

 

Dr. Ranier Spencer, chief diversity officer, UNLV 

Stay Connected
Prior to taking on the role of Broadcast Operations Manager in January 2021, Rachel was the senior producer of KNPR's State of Nevada program for 6 years. She helped compile newscasts and provided coverage for and about the people of Southern Nevada, as well as major events such as the October 1 shooting on the Las Vegas strip, protests of racial injustice, elections and more. Rachel graduated with a bachelor's degree of journalism and mass communications from New Mexico State University.