Key Takeaways
- • UNLV Athletics named the Dr. Brad Rothermel Lobby in the Thomas & Mack Center and established the Dr. Brad Rothermel Memorial Endowment - Athletic Scholarships, funded through his wife Suzanne Rothermel, to honor the former athletics director.
- • Rothermel served as UNLV's director of athletics from 1981 to 1990 and passed away in March 2026 at age 88.
- • Under Rothermel, 14 varsity programs advanced to NCAA postseason competition and Rebel teams captured 33 conference championships, according to UNLV Athletics.
- • The lobby, which is the main entrance to the Thomas & Mack Center executive offices, now carries prominent signage recognizing his leadership.
- • Donations to the endowment can be directed through the Rebel Athletic Fund at [email protected] or 702-895-1533.
Summary
UNLV Athletics has honored former Director of Athletics Dr. Brad Rothermel with the naming of the Dr. Brad Rothermel Lobby in the Thomas & Mack Center and the creation of the Dr. Brad Rothermel Memorial Endowment - Athletic Scholarships, established by his wife, Suzanne Rothermel. According to the UNLVRebels.com report dated October 29, 2026, the lobby serves as the main entrance to the executive offices and now features prominent signage recognizing his leadership.
Rothermel died in March 2026 at age 88. He led the department from 1981 to 1990, a period the university describes as one of the most successful in its history. The tenure included the Runnin' Rebels' 1990 NCAA Men's Basketball National Championship under head coach Jerry Tarkanian. Under his leadership, 14 varsity programs advanced to NCAA postseason competition and Rebel teams captured 33 conference championships. He also oversaw the move of the Runnin' Rebels from the Las Vegas Convention Center to the Thomas & Mack Center, which opened in 1983.
Rothermel hired Hall of Fame coaches Dwaine Knight, who later led UNLV men's golf to the 1998 NCAA national championship, and Shan McDonald, who guided Rebel softball to three Women's College World Series appearances. After leaving the athletic director post, he served nine years as an associate professor of education leadership at UNLV. He returned to the athletics department in 2004 as a special advisor to the athletics director and retired in 2016. He was inducted into the UNLV Athletics Hall of Fame in 1998 and the Southern Nevada Sports Hall of Fame in 2001.
UNLV Director of Athletics Erick Harper said Rothermel was "a visionary leader who helped elevate our programs to national prominence," and that the honors ensure his influence will continue to be felt by generations of Rebels. Donations to the memorial endowment can be made through the Rebel Athletic Fund at [email protected] or 702-895-1533.
Rothermel died in March 2026 at age 88. He led the department from 1981 to 1990, a period the university describes as one of the most successful in its history. The tenure included the Runnin' Rebels' 1990 NCAA Men's Basketball National Championship under head coach Jerry Tarkanian. Under his leadership, 14 varsity programs advanced to NCAA postseason competition and Rebel teams captured 33 conference championships. He also oversaw the move of the Runnin' Rebels from the Las Vegas Convention Center to the Thomas & Mack Center, which opened in 1983.
Rothermel hired Hall of Fame coaches Dwaine Knight, who later led UNLV men's golf to the 1998 NCAA national championship, and Shan McDonald, who guided Rebel softball to three Women's College World Series appearances. After leaving the athletic director post, he served nine years as an associate professor of education leadership at UNLV. He returned to the athletics department in 2004 as a special advisor to the athletics director and retired in 2016. He was inducted into the UNLV Athletics Hall of Fame in 1998 and the Southern Nevada Sports Hall of Fame in 2001.
UNLV Director of Athletics Erick Harper said Rothermel was "a visionary leader who helped elevate our programs to national prominence," and that the honors ensure his influence will continue to be felt by generations of Rebels. Donations to the memorial endowment can be made through the Rebel Athletic Fund at [email protected] or 702-895-1533.
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