Steve Puterski
Jaws terrified the masses of the ocean, while Tark the Shark feasted on the hardwood.
Jerry Tarkanian, the legendary UNLV basketball coach, died Wednesday in Las Vegas after a respiratory illness. He was 84.
The greatest coach in Nevada history and one of the all-time greats in NCAA history was a lightning bolt in a city famed for its glitz and glamor.
He created a powerhouse program winning the 1990 NCAA National Title 103-73 over Duke. The win is the biggest in championship game history and the Runnin’ Rebels are the only team to ever score more than 100 points in the title tilt.
Memories are flooding back after his death and tributes are pouring in from all over the country.
Tark’s legacy has many layers including recruiting inner-city kids no one else would to give them a chance for a better life, fighting nearly his entire career against the crooked NCAA and building a monster based on defense.
In 19 years, the legend built a program few could rival. He also spent time at Fresno State and Long Beach State amassing a career record of 784-202.
At Long Beach State, though, is where he first drew the NCAA’s wrath for calling out UCLA’s recruiting tactics.
Since those days in the ‘70s, Tark was a marked man by the NCAA. He was also 40 years ahead of the curve of everyone else who now cries foul about the NCAA’s policies and draconian punishments.
In fact, Tark was never one to hold back, especially when it came to the NCAA. One of my favorite all-time quotes comes from the towel-chomping icon.
He once said, “The NCAA is so mad at Kentucky, they gave Cleveland State two more years’ probation.”
After years of battle, Tarkanian finally won his $2.5 million lawsuit against the NCAA.
But it was his teams’ ridiculous pace, scoring ability and amoeba defense that drew fans in droves. In 1977, the Rebels set a NCAA-record for most points (3,426) and most 100-point games (23) — all without the shot clock.
The personal memories, though, are what sticks with his friends, family and fans.
In the winter of 1990, my family and I moved to Las Vegas from Southern California. I had yet to encounter a true sporting experience, even though I had attended dozens of Major League Baseball, NFL and even a hockey game while in California.
But my first true experience came in early 1991 when my parents took my sister and me to our first UNLV game.
Walking into the Thomas & Mack Center, the crowd was already abuzz to watch the No. 1-ranked and defending national champion Rebels hit the court.
As we made our way through the concourse into the arena and found our seats, the light turned to dark and the razzle-dazzle that was UNLV came into being for me.
Once we found our seats, I remember being mesmerized by the illumining spot-light sharks circling the arena. No one took their seats and wouldn’t for another 20 minutes or so.
Then, as game-time came closer, the fireworks exploded, the cheerleaders came roaring out of the tunnel dragging the Runnin’ Rebel red carpet with the true stars of Vegas in tow.
The crowd lost its collective mind.
Each player — Greg Anthony, Larry Johnson, Stacey Augmon, Anderson Hunt and George Ackles — was showered with cheers, love and admiration.
Then it came, the famed Jaws theme. Slowly at first, then more rapid right until the tip and when UNLV won the ball and the crowd once again exploded.
It wasn’t until years later I realized how truly great that team was, even though they were upset by Duke in the national semifinal.
UNLV was the first team to turn off the lights and create an experience worthy of a Vegas show. Heck, most shows in Vegas couldn’t compare to the action at the Thomas & Mack.
It was an atmosphere very few teams could handle, like Tark’s teams, and one that created and divided sports fans throughout the country. Despite the detractors, Tark’s fans remain fiercely loyal to putting UNLV and the state on the sporting map.
His legend is cemented forever with a statute outside the arena he built and the court bearing his name.
Although his death leaves thousands in mourning, Tark will eternally remain a symbol of Las Vegas.
Steve Puterski is the sports editor for the Lahontan Valley News and can be contacted at sputerski@lahontanvalleynews.com.