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UNLV Runnin’ Rebels Playing a Home Game. Photo by Leena Atout

 

The UNLV Runnin’ Rebels enticed students to come to games with free custom Nike Air Force 1s. For some students, getting the free shoes was the only reason to go to the basketball games; however, other students who attended the games frequently saw the free shoes as a gift. Either way, hundreds of students will receive the custom shoes within the next few months. 

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UNLV Rebel Events Board (REB) team plans on giving away a free pair of custom Nike Air Force 1’'s to students who attend eight specific games in full. Those who attend all the games necessary will pick up their shoes. 

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To win a pair of custom Nike shoes, UNLV students with a valid school ID must attend each of the final six men's basketball home games this season, along with the women's basketball game on March 2. Students get their punch card punched. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Photo of the punch card needed to obtain the shoes. Photo taken by Leena Atout

 

“In order for students to receive the shoes, they must have gone to the first game on January 22, where they received a punch card, and then attend all the games in full, and get the card stamped at the beginning and end of each game, as well as scan their ticket at the entrance”, senior Chloe Love said. Students must attend the game within the first thirteen minutes to get the card punched. 

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REB gave everyone updates, and ultimately emailed those who followed the requirements saying that they have received the shoes. This creates incentive to make students come to the basketball games. 

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The new director of athletics believes it is incredibly important that students are engaged within the athletics at UNLV, and getting them to attend games by being innovative is crucial. 

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Each game offered other fun incentives to attend, such as free T-shirts, scholarships, and tailgates. The first of the games offered a tailgate titled “Welcome Back to the Mack,” and was sponsored by Taco Bell. The tailgate offered free food, games, a live DJ, and a chance to win a free 2022 spring break trip planned by Tryp360. Another giveaway featured UNLV President Keith E. Whitfield, who controlled the Findlay Toyota T-Shirt cannon. The cannon was filled  with specific shirts featuring certificates for 2022-23 season tickets in the first half of the game, and even one free tuition prize at the student section in the second half of the game.

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Love attempted to get the shoes, but ultimately missed three games. “I definitely feel like this giveaway impacted the attendance. I didn't go to a lot of games before, but I know a lot of people that did go because of the shoes like me,” Love said.  “I went for the social aspect so I can hang out with my friends. I would never just go to a Tuesday night basketball game on a regular basis. Unless something like that was happening again, I probably wouldn't just go.” 

Student Ashely McCoy can relate. She said she had not been to a UNLV basketball game before the shoe giveaway, and felt that the shoes were worth going to eight games. 

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“I thought that the shoes were cute, and I really liked the design, so I wanted to participate in them,” McCoy exclaimed. The custom Air Forces have the UNLV logo on both shoes. One shoe has a red pattern, while the other has a gray pattern, to tie in the school’s colors. 

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Photo of the Nike AirForce 1s. Photo Courtesy from UNLV Men’s Basketball

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On the other hand, Runnin’ Rebel fan Jonathan Jehner has gone to every game prior to the giveaway, and considers the free shoes a reward for all the games he has been to. “I definitely think that the shoe giveaway increased attendance. Especially with the women's team. We only had to go to one of the games for the giveaway, and that game was a lot more packed than the previous women's basketball games. The first woman’s game I went to was practically empty,” he mentioned. “This is my first pair of Air Forces. I heard they run small. I wrote down my normal shoe size, so if they don’t fit, I’ll keep them for memories.” 

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While the process to receive the shoes sounds very structured, there may be some flaws. Students observed many mistakes that they wish are addressed before another giveaway like this happens. 

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“People can be dishonest definitely, by buying a hole puncher of the same style for the earlier games and have a friend scan their ticket instead of them,” Jehner said. “At the end of the day, they’ll probably get shoes, and someone still attended the game. It’s still dishonest.” 

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Other student’s noticed the possible errors, but joked about it instead. 

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“I know it was a joke between me and my friends when we’d say people could find a heart stamp and just do it themselves but they're also scanning tickets,” Love said. “People could investigate and figure out if people actually stayed. I’d like to think that everyone was honest about it, because that’s a lot of effort for shoes.” 

“I hope attendance levels don’t drop after the giveaway is over, supporting the UNLV Runnin Rebels was a big part of them making it as far as they did,” Jehner said. 

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Students who have completed all the requirements for the shoes have gotten an email stating that the program received their shoe size and that they will be gifted the shoes. The email also stated that the shoe production has been delayed since the shoes are still in production due to supply chain issues, and will not be available on April 1 as the flyer originally states. There is no new date for students to receive the shoes, as students are eager to wear their new memorabilia around campus. For more information, visit the REB Instagram page. 

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