Hey Reb!, UNLV’s Mountain Man Mascot Character, Is Retired By University

January 19, 2021January 19, 2021 Alan Snel Hey Reb!, Keith Whitfield

By Alan Snel of LVSportsBiz.com

UNLV has officially retired the “Hey Reb!” mascot seen at UNLB basketball and football games through the years.

UNLV President Keith Whitfield said the “Rebels” nickname will remain, but that the Hey Reb! mountain man character is retired for good.

Here’s his statement:

“I was drawn to lead this great university because I identified with its spirit, determination, and daring style. Rebels are not afraid to fail and create a new path when one doesn’t exist. For all these reasons and many more, we will continue to be known as “Rebels.”

“As it relates to the mascot itself — Hey Reb! — my predecessor, President Marta Meana, essentially addressed this issue late last spring when she had a statue of the mascot removed from the main campus. Since that time, and even before my arrival, the university stopped using the mascot in the traditional areas of student recruitment and athletics. For all intents and purposes, the Hey Reb! mascot has been retired since last spring and there are no plans to bring it back. We also have no current plans to create a new mascot.

“UNLV will join the likes of the universities of Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Central Michigan that have no mascot — as well as the NFL’s Green Bay Packers, New York Giants and New York Jets. The university also didn’t have a mascot in the mid-1970s. As UNLV continues to rise as a top public research university, we must do so in a way that represents all of our students, staff, faculty, alumni, and supporters.”

For all intents and purposes, the Hey Reb! mascot has been retired since last spring and there are no plans to bring it back. We also have no current plans to create a new mascot — UNLV President Keith Whitfield

Las Vegas is filled with sports mascots such as Chance at the Vegas Golden Knights, an NHL team that also uses a knight character who dresses like, well, a knight.

Mascots give a team or school a chance to connect with kids and, quite frankly, fans of all ages, too.

Here’s one UNLV fan’s reaction to Hey Reb! being discontnued:

There are still Hey Reb! signs around campus, such as this picture at Thomas and Mack Center. Regarding removing these types of Hey Reb! signs, UNLV athletics spokesman Andy Grossman said, “It will be an evolving process, mindful of costs.”