PLAYERS FROM 1968 SQUAD REUNITE FOR ANNIVERSARY

ball programs legendary.

But Saturday shows there is history at UNLV. More important, there’s a group of old-school diehards who love this football program.

Thompson had the first touchdown in school history and was also the first quarterback. He also played safety and is still in the UNLV record books. He ranks eighth in school history for most career interceptions with eight picks in two seasons.

Thompson is a semi-retired educator at Kern Valley High in Lake Isabella, Calif., where he’s so well-respected and popular that a group of friends made the five-hour drive to share in Saturday’s festivities. High school sports is the only show in that small town. Thompson, who still works as a substitute most days and coaches a handful of sports, is the unquestioned leader.

“The whole community respects him and supports him,” said John Meyers, the Kern Valley principal who organized the trip to Las Vegas. “This is a big deal for our community. He is just a really kind and decent man. Really even-keeled. Kids from 30 years ago still come back and says what a nice man he is.”

The same, of course, has often said about his coaching mentor, Bill Ireland.

Thompson had a smile from ear-to-ear when he walked onto the field with his teammates. His friends joyfully screamed from the stands. It was a fitting tribute for a team that did its part.

More important, it showed there is some notable history with UNLV football, after all. And if Sanchez’s Rebels play like they did against UTEP — they rushed for more than 400 yards — there soon could be some more notable moments worth celebrating.