UNLV drops ‘Hey Reb!’ mascot, to stay Rebels

LAS VEGAS, Nev. — UNLV has dropped its “Hey Reb!” mascot after nearly four decades, but it will keep its Rebels nickname.

University President Keith Whitfield pointed in a start-of-semester announcement to the removal last June of a campus mascot statue following racial justice protests around the nation and an outcry from student groups.

Whitfield termed the nickname “a strong, nationally recognized brand,” that “captures the essence of an iconic city that is unconventional and celebrates its independence, tenacity and resiliency.”