From the Gridiron to the Globe: Notable Alumni of UNLV Football and Beyond

The University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) is not just a hub for academic pursuits; it's also a launchpad for individuals who have made significant contributions to various fields, from sports and entertainment to politics and business. While UNLV may not be a "Quarterback U," as noted by the Las Vegas Sun, it has indeed "churned out some players whose names became recognizable to fans around the country." This article explores some of the university's most notable alumni, highlighting their diverse achievements and lasting impact.

Athletics: From the Football Field to the NBA Court and Beyond

UNLV's athletic programs have produced a remarkable array of talent that has excelled at the professional level.

Football Stars

Ickey Woods: Perhaps one of the most memorable UNLV football players, Woods was "a pretty nondescript player until his senior year at UNLV, in 1987, when he ran for 1,658 yards, scored 10 touchdowns, averaged 6.4 yards per carry and had nine 100-yard games." He is best remembered, though, for the "Ickey shuffle," the end zone dance he performed when he scored a touchdown that made him an NFL fan favorite.
Randall Cunningham: A dynamic quarterback, Cunningham played in the NFL for 16 seasons, primarily with the Philadelphia Eagles. A four-time Pro Bowl selection, Cunningham is fourth in NFL quarterback rushing yards, which he led at the time of his retirement.
Keenan McCardell: McCardell was drafted by the Washington Redskins in the 12th round of the 1991 NFL Draft and later played for the Cleveland Browns, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, San Diego Chargers and Houston Texans.

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Eric Wright: In what has been called one of the most memorable plays in UNLV football history, cornerback Thomas scored against Baylor on a 100-yard fumble return in a Sept. Wright had a rocky history with Tampa Bay.

Basketball Legends

Larry Johnson: Johnson spent his career as a power forward with the Charlotte Hornets and the New York Knicks of the National Basketball Association (NBA). An NCAA champion and two-time NBA All-Star, Johnson is a member of the Southern Nevada Sports Hall of Fame and College Basketball Hall of Fame.
Shawn Marion: Nicknamed "The Matrix" by former NBA player Kenny Smith, Marion finished his career as a four-time NBA All-Star, a two-time member of the All-NBA Team and a one-time NBA champion, helping the Dallas Mavericks win their maiden title in 2011. He was widely regarded as one of the most versatile players in the league because of his athleticism and ability to play and defend many positions.
Greg Anthony: Gregory Carlton Anthony is an American former professional basketball player who is a television analyst for NBA TV and Turner Sports. He played 11 seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA).
Reggie Theus: Reginald Wayne Theus is an American basketball coach and former player. He played 13 seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA), where he was a two-time NBA All-Star.

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Anthony Bennett: Anthony Harris Bennett is a Canadian professional basketball player for the Formosa Dreamers of the Taiwan Professional Basketball League (TPBL). He played college basketball for the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) for one year. He was the first overall pick in the 2013 NBA draft by the Cleveland Cavaliers, becoming the first Canadian to be drafted number one overall.
Patrick McCaw: Patrick Andrew McCaw is an American professional basketball player for the Delaware Blue Coats of the NBA G League. He played college basketball for the UNLV Runnin' Rebels and earned second-team all-conference honors in the Mountain West Conference (MWC) as a sophomore in 2016. McCaw was selected by the Milwaukee Bucks in the second round of the 2016 NBA draft. He won three NBA championships in his first three seasons: two with the Golden State Warriors and one with the Toronto Raptors, the first NBA player to do so while switching teams.
Christian Wood: Christian Marquise Wood is an American professional basketball player for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for the UNLV Runnin' Rebels.

Baseball Greats

Cecil Fielder: Fielder was a power hitter in the 1980s and 1990s. In 1990, he became the first player to reach the 50-home run mark since George Foster hit 52 for the Cincinnati Reds in 1977 and the first American League player to do so since Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris famously hit 54 and 61 in 1961.
Matt Williams: Matthew Derrick Williams, nicknamed "Matt the Bat" and "the Big Marine", is an American professional baseball manager and former third baseman who is the third base coach for the San Francisco Giants of Major League Baseball (MLB).

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Golfing Professionals

Adam Scott: Adam Derek Scott AM is an Australian professional golfer. In 2004, Scott won The Players Championship, the flagship event on the PGA Tour, and has focused on the United States since then. He won the 2011 WGC-Bridgestone Invitational, finished runner-up 2012 Open Championship, and won the 2013 Masters Tournament. In 2014, Scott won The Colonial earning the world #1 ranking for first time.
Chad Campbell
Charley Hoffman
Skip Kendall
Ryan Moore
Chris Riley

Other Athletes

Gina Carano: Gina Joy Carano is an American actress and former mixed martial artist. She competed in Elite Xtreme Combat and Strikeforce from 2006 to 2009, where she compiled a 7-1 record.

Entertainment and Media: From the Stage to the Screen

UNLV has also produced a significant number of alumni who have achieved success in the entertainment and media industries.

Television and Film Personalities

Jimmy Kimmel: James Christian Kimmel is an American actor, television host, comedian, writer, producer. He has been the host and executive producer of Jimmy Kimmel Live!, a late-night talk show, since 2003.
Guy Fieri: Guy Ramsay Fieri is an American restaurateur, author, and an Emmy Award winning television presenter.
Tomi Lahren: Tomi Rae Augustus Lahren is an American conservative political commentator and television presenter.
Ryan Higa: Ryan Higa, also known as nigahiga, is an American internet personality. Best known for his comedy videos on YouTube, Higa began making YouTube videos in 2006 and was one of the most popular creators on the platform in its early years.
Arianny Celeste: Arianny Celeste is an American ring girl and model. She is a co-host on the automotive reality television series Overhaulin' and has been featured in Playboy magazine.
Robbie Daymond: Robert Daymond Howard is an American voice actor who is mostly known for his roles in video games, animation, anime and audiobooks.
RiceGum: Bryan Quang Le, better known as RiceGum, is an American YouTuber and online streamer. He is best known for his diss tracks and online feuds with other YouTube personalities.

Musicians

Dan Reynolds: Daniel Coulter Reynolds is an American singer, songwriter, and musician. He is the lead vocalist and a founding member of the pop rock band Imagine Dragons, which formed in 2008.
Flo Rida: Tramar Lacel Dillard, better known by his stage name Flo Rida, is an American rapper, singer and songwriter.
Ryan Ross: George Ryan Ross III is an American musician, singer, and songwriter best known for his work as the former lead guitarist, backing and lead vocalist, and primary songwriter of the American rock band Panic! at the Disco before his departure in 2009.
Ronnie Vannucci: Ronald Vannucci Jr. is an American musician, best known for being the drummer for the rock band the Killers.
Eric Whitacre: Eric Edward Whitacre is an American composer, conductor, and speaker best known for his choral music.

Politics and Public Service: Shaping Nevada and Beyond

UNLV alumni have also made significant contributions to the political landscape, serving in various roles at the local, state, and national levels.

Steve Sisolak: Stephen F. Sisolak is an American businessman and politician who served as the 30th governor of Nevada from 2019 to 2023.

A Diverse and Accomplished Alumni Network

Beyond the individuals listed above, UNLV boasts a diverse and accomplished alumni network that spans a wide range of professions and industries. This includes individuals such as:

David B. Ashley
Francis J. Beckwith
John W. Theodore Garland Jr.
Susan Kunze
James E. Adi Alsaid
Dan "Tito" Davis
Dino
Veronica Hart
Lindsay Hartley
Sophida Kanchanarin
Suge Knight
Tomi Lahren
Charlotte Laws
Dennis Mackrel
Kenny Mayne
Jade Payton
Pj Perez
Jon Ralston
Robert Kevin Rose
Paul Taylor
Kenneth Robert Wilson a.k.a. "Ginger Fish"
Bill Zender
Anthony E. Zuiker
Marvin Eastman
Andrew Livingston
Mike Mintenko
Ryback
Fred Sowerby
Bob Ayrault
Brian Boehringer
Joe Boever
Ryan Braun
Blake Gailen
Toby Hall
Ken Korach
Dean Kremer
Eric Ludwick
Ryan Ludwick
David Lundquist
T.J. Mathews
Donovan Osborne
Mel Stottlemyre Jr.
Todd Stottlemyre
Matt Williams
Odis Allison
Louis Amundson
Joel Anthony
Stacey Augmon
Marcus Banks
Keon Clark
Mark Dickel
Sidney Green
Derrick Jones Jr.
Kaspars Kambala
Karam Mashour
Elijah Mitrou-Long
J.R. Rider
René Rougeau
Ricky Sobers
H Waldman
Beau Bell
Glenn Carano
Ryan Claridge
Hunkie Cooper
Joe Hawley
Jeff Horton
Jeff McInerney
Aaron Mitchell
Nick Rolovich
Adam Seward
Jeff Spek
Ickey Woods
Eric Wright
Rod Dyachenko
Lamar Neagle
Jennifer Ruiz
Paul Anderson
Nelson Araujo
Derek Armstrong
Bob Beers
Shelley Berkley
Barbara Buckley
George Chanos
Olivia Diaz
Marilyn Dondero Loop
John Ensign
Aaron Ford
Steve Francis
Lloyd D.
Chris Giunchigliani
Carolyn Goodman
Scott Hammond
Dario Herrera
William Horne
Steven Horsford
Mark Hutchison
Brent A. Jones
Joe Lombardo
Sue Lowden
Rory Reid
David Roger
Jacky Rosen
Dan Schwartz
Tick Segerblom
Miriam Shearing
Shelly M.
Scott Sibley
Pat Spearman
Danny Tarkanian
Glenn E. Trowbridge
Bill Young
Kim Wallin
Carley Garner
Jerome D.
George J. Maloof Jr.
Joseph A. Pepe
Blake L. Sartini
Miki Sudo

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