UNLV Senior Dir of Media Relations Tony Allen said that "any prospective changes" at the school are on hold, as it is "still pondering the future of its mascot, Hey Reb!" Allen said that acting UNLV President Marta Meana is "still discussing a possible change with key stakeholders." In Las Vegas, Sam Gordon notes UNLV removed a bronze statue of Hey Reb! from its campus on June 16. The school's mascots have historically "channeled Confederate imagery, though Hey Reb! was inspired by trailblazing mountain men of the 1800s" (LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL, 7/16).
SHOW OF SUPPORT: In Madison, Todd Milewski notes Univ. of Wisconsin uniforms "will include a modified version of the school's crest in 'a show of support, inclusion and unity.'" UW football player Madison Cone on July 2 tweeted a letter, signed by current and former UW-Madison student-athletes, "asking to use the crest logo with the traditional white 'W' changed to black." Cone clarified that the group was "asking for a patch or sticker on uniforms, not to change the 'Motion W' logo." UW athletics officials announced that they have "created a black version of the 'Motion W' logo that will be a part of some apparel" (WISCONSIN STATE JOURNAL, 7/16).
EXPANSION PLANS: In Louisville, Cameron Teague Robinson notes that the Galt House Hotel "has committed" $3.5M to the Univ. of Louisville's Cardinal Athletic Fund, "to be paid over ten years." The donation will be used for the "expansion and renovation of the Planet Fitness Kueber Center, which is home to the men's and women's basketball teams and the women's lacrosse teams." Louisville will name the football suite levels on the east side and west sides of the Cardinal Stadium as the Galt House Hotel Suite Level "in honor of the hotel located on the riverfront in downtown Louisville" (Louisville COURIER-JOURNAL, 7/16).
