Pat Christenson, director of the Thomas & Mack Center/Sam Boyd Stadium/Cox Pavilion resigned today from his position at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, effective Aug. 12, to become president of Las Vegas Events, the special events division of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, President Carol C. Harter announced.
The university will conduct a national search for a new director.
"Pat Christenson's leadership of the Thomas & Mack Center and Sam Boyd Stadium has been outstanding," Harter said. "He has turned our arenas into some of the best - and busiest - in the country. In fact, Amusement Business Magazine ranked the Thomas & Mack Center the number one university venue with a capacity of 15,001 or more in the country this year. Much of the success our on-campus venues have experienced can be directly attributed to Pat's good work, and we wish him every success in this new endeavor."
Christenson began his career at UNLV in 1980 as an assistant wrestling coach and event coordinator for the department of intercollegiate athletics. In 1983, he was hired as the assistant director of the then recently completed Thomas & Mack Center. That same year, the university took ownership of the Clark County-owned Silver Bowl, now Sam Boyd Stadium. In 1992, he was promoted to director of the two venues.
For the last 18 years, UNLV's two venues have operated without any state, university or local tax support. For each of those years Christenson and his staff balanced the budget, provided surpluses to the university's athletic department and made over $20 million worth of improvements to the venues.
"Pat Christenson is recognized nationally as an outstanding arena director," according to Tony Flores, vice president for finance at UNLV.
"Pat's greatest accomplishment has been the dramatic conversion of our facilities to the outstanding intercollegiate sports and entertainment complex that now plays host to not only UNLV Rebel athletic events but also to some of the most popular shows in the country."
"I am very proud of the relationship our venues have in the community. Through the gaming tax that built the Thomas & Mack and the many great events we have hosted, we have been able to balance our budget and continually improve our venues. I am proud to have associated with people who are passionate about the success of these venues," Christenson said.
Recently, he successfully lobbied for $30 million, from the same gaming tax that funded the construction of Thomas & Mack Center, and for $5 million from the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA). This money was used to modernize both venues. In addition, he worked closely with Cox Communications to secure a $5 million gift that was used in part to build the Cox Pavilion, a new 3,000-seat venue that is home to the women's basketball and volleyball teams.
Christenson has been active in his industry where he served on the International Association Board of Directors and developed the first Arena Management Conference. In 1998, he helped develop the ArenaNetwork, a group who unites 35 arenas around the country, and currently serves as the chair of their executive committee. He is also an instructor at International Association of Arena Managers' Public Assembly Facility Management School.
The Thomas & Mack Center and Sam Boyd Stadium have produced over 1,500 events and provided an economic impact of over $1 billion to the Las Vegas valley.
"It's hard to imagine a better job in the country, but what I will miss most are the people that made my success possible. Through the halls of Thomas & Mack roam the most passionate, fun, creative and committed people in the world," Christenson said.
Christenson will take over as president of Las Vegas Events in August.
"It has taken me 20 years to find a better job than the one I had. Las Vegas Events' board of directors and the magic of Las Vegas are a mighty combination," he said.
