When news broke of the Feb. 11 death of legendary basketball coach Jerry Tarkanian, the campus naturally flocked to the bronze statue installed on campus in his honor. Along with flowers, many left hand towels as a fitting tribute to the coach's habit of chomping on them to relieve stress during games.
A week later, more than 40 properties along the famed Las Vegas Strip, as well as the famous Reno arch, dimmed their lights for Tark. That rare honor came about thanks in part to a social media campaign started by communication studies alumni Tony Cordasco, '83, and Scott Gulbransen, '95.
On March 1, the Thomas & Mack Center -- The Shark Tank, as it is often called -- filled with more than 4,000 fans during a televised memorial service emceed by former UNLV quarterback and ESPN personality Kenny Mayne, '82 BA Communication Studies. On display was the 1990 NCAA Championship trophy and on hand were such former players as Reggie Theus, Moses Scurry, Jackie Robinson, Ricky Sobers, Leon Symanski, and current head basketball coach Dave Rice.
Before the ceremony fittingly closed out with Frank Sinatra's "My Way," Eldridge "El Hud" Hudson, who played under Tark 1983-87, said, "It's amazing a man this big can change a whole valley."
Tarkanian's towel-biting habit started when he was coaching high school.
Prior to UNLV, Tarkanian coached at Long Beach State. Here he's pictured with his son, Danny, who went on to play at UNLV (1981-84) under his father.
The coach's nickname was Tark the Shark and the Thomas & Mack Center became known as the Shark Tank.
The Thomas & Mack Center opened under Tarkanian's tenure in 1983. Prior to that, the Runnin' Rebels played at the Las Vegas Convention Center.
Shooting guard Anderson Hunt played on Tarkanian's NCAA Final Four teams 1988-91.
The photo archive does not contain information about this photo. It was most likely taken between 1977-80.
Tarkanian with Sidney Green (1979-83) and an unidentified athletics staff member. Green's jersey was the first to be retired at UNLV.
During a game with Mark Wade (1985-87) and Jarvis Basnight (1985-86)
1990 NCAA Championship celebration with players Stacey Augmon, Larry Johnson, Anderson Hunt, Chris Jeter, David Butler, and Moses Scurry.
Tark is pictured with players Moses Scurry, Anderson Hunt, David Butler, and Dave Rice. Rice is now head coach of the Runnin' Rebels.
During a White House visit after winning the 1990 NCAA Championship. From left: Brad Rothermel, then UNLV's athletic director; Vice President Dan Quayle; Jerry Tarkanian; and President George H.W. Bush.
A home game huddle during the Final Four years of the 1990s.
Moses Scurry and David Butler celebrate a victory with a hug for the coach.
The coach was always tense during games, even the blowouts.
Taken in 2009, at the 20-year reunion of the 1990 NCAA Championship team.
Tarkanian with Freddie Banks (1983-87) and local businessman Irwin Molasky in 2009, at the 20-year reunion of the 1990 NCAA Championship team.
Tarkanian continues to be a fixture at Runnin' Rebel games.
Tarkanian talks with former UNLV President Neal Smatresk and former player Larry Johnson at a UNLV basketball game.
UNLV President Neal Smatresk and Tarkanian at a media conference announcing the Jerry Tarkanian Legacy Project, which is raising funds for a bronze statue and scholarship fund honoring the coach.
In 2011, Tarkanian greets Dave Rice, a former player, at the media conference announcing Rice's hiring as the Runnin' Rebels coach.
Tark greets the crowd at the Thomas & Mack Center during the ceremony officially naming the court after him in 2005.
In 2013 a bronze statue of Tarkanian, showing the coach biting on the omnipresent game-day towel, was installed outside the Thomas & Mack. Underwritten by the UNLV Alumni Association and private donations through the One for Tark campaign.
Big Wins On and Off the Field: Spring 2025 Athletics Round Up
From the gridiron and the hardwood to the fairways and the swimming pool, it’s been another eventful — and in many cases highly successful — year for UNLV Athletics.
