The men’s basketball team has had additional support this season thanks to alumni Mark Rich, ’79 BS Accounting, and John Wightman, ’89 BS Accounting, and their company, Rich, Wightman & Co. The graduates are longtime supporters of the UNLV athletics department and their significant gift of an undisclosed amount will help fund operations, facilities, and recruitment efforts.

Wightman says he and Rich are giving back to their alma mater as a way to acknowledge the generosity of others who influenced their lives and careers through gifts of time or money. He believes the duty to support a solid and championship team belongs to every person involved in the program from fund-raisers and coaches to fans and players.

Rich agrees, saying, “A strong base of alumni can provide funds to have the best facilities and attract the best athletes.”

Wightman adds, “We have the coaching staff that can (attract the best athletes); now we need to give them the tools to do the job.”

This year’s 15-member Runnin’ Rebel team boasts athletes from across the nation and Canada and is led by Coach Lon Kruger, who joined UNLV in March 2004.

“This gift will help provide a program and a facility that addresses student-athletes’ needs today, and support strong recruiting efforts in the future,” Kruger says.

Avid Runnin’ Rebel fans since their undergraduate days, Rich and Wightman support the university in many ways. Both are members of the Rebel Athletic Fund and the UNLV Foundation’s Planned Giving Professional Advisors Council, as well as lifetime members of the UNLV Alumni Association. Rich chairs the membership committee for the College of Business’ Alumni Association Board of Directors and is a member of the Accounting Advisory Council.

Athletics Director Mike Hamrick points to the gift as validation that momentum within the men’s basketball program is increasing.

“This gift is proof positive of a renewed excitement and commitment from our community to helping UNLV athletics move to the next level,” he says. “It’s the generosity and support of people like Mark Rich and John Wightman that will get us there.” For information on the Rebel Athletic Fund, call 702-895-1533.