Have Cannon, Will Travel (by escort, thanks)

It was one of the most surreal sites I had ever seen.

No, not the UNLV girls wearing matching fur jackets and boots with mini skirts, not the $7 beers, or the guys snapping whirly towels on other guys asses.’  

No, it was the Fremont Cannot quietly being escorted off the football field flanked by National Guardsmen, Reno Police and a few Wolf Pack players all the while hundreds of cheering Nevada fans planted themselves in front of  a nearly vacant UNLV section.  

When I went to the university in the mid-90’s the Pack was a lean mean fighting machine. I missed going to the infamous ‘95 game (Fights! Ejections and Arrests! Oh My!).

I still regret it to this day.

I did though attend the Las Vegas Bowl against Ball State where much to my delight scuffles broke out on both the field and stands and chants like B-S-U rang out. We won 18 to 15.  It seemed violence was the norm back then.

After I graduated in 2000 a few months later the Runnin’ Rebels took it upon themselves to destroy the Cannon after a Civil War win. Luckily, it was later restored.  

Earlier in the week, UNR Athletic Director Cary Groth, Coach Chris Ault and Nevada President Milton Glick all stated they wanted sportsmanship conduct on the both the field and from the fans. Being the 90’s fan I am, I was thoroughly annoyed. ‘Where’s all the fun?’ I kept asking. And why on earth hold a press conference on it? I wanted to see some real action!  

My boyfriend asked me why teams (of all kinds) have to resort to violence in sports. He didn’t understand it. I mentioned it must be a generational thing (he attended in the late 80’s.) We agreed to that theory all the while I kept scanning for spontaneous violent outbursts. 

Excitement was abound inside Mackay Stadium. It was a sea of blue with the occasional red. Alcohol sales were halted as stated by third quarter while Washoe County Deputies scoured the land.  

As you might expect the last few seconds LITERALLY were the most intense as the Pack scored one last touchdown. I also smiled knowing I could be just seconds away from a good brawl.  

00:00. The howitzer is shot off. Hundreds of students rush onto the field; few of them mob players. Other fans vacate the stands hoping not to get caught in a car standstill. And me, I wait. And wait. Students start to hold vigil in front of the UNLV section.  

My section then starts to leave. I continue to document the entire scene on my digital camera. Oh and I still wait. Unbeknownst to the massive cheering student crowd, the much beloved and still blue cannon was wheeled down the sidelines.  

I must say I was actually impressed that there no major fights. In some ways it actually shocked me. I had no idea you could actually have a civil Civil War between both universities. I had expected violence and somewhat wanted it (you know to bring back my good ‘ol college days.) But there was none.  

This is what Groth, Ault and Glick all wanted and got. I saw a different and kinder side of college football Saturday. Who knew?  

In fact the only real violence I encountered was tripping over the occasional surprise cement step! 

FUNLV. Go Pack!