In 2020, UNLV quietly removed Hey Reb — the mascot who stood on our sidelines, energized our community, and symbolized far more than a logo or a costume.

Hey Reb was never about hate, division, or the false narratives he was tied to.
He represented Vegas pride, independence, and the rebellious spirit that defined this university from the start. He was created to reflect UNLV’s unique character — not the Confederacy, not the Old South, and certainly not hate.

For decades, Hey Reb brought people together.
He united alumni, students, athletes, and fans. He embodied that “us against the world” edge that made UNLV different from every other program in the country.

Yet his removal happened:

• Without a vote
• Without public input
• Without a plan for what would replace him

Nearly five years later, UNLV still has no mascot and no clear identity. With new leadership stepping in, this is the moment to reopen the conversation — thoughtfully, transparently, and with the community at the center of it.

This petition isn’t about nostalgia.
It’s about reclaiming tradition.
It’s about restoring a symbol that inspired pride, connection, and energy across generations of Rebels.

We’re not asking to revive something harmful — we’re asking to restore something that was misunderstood and misrepresented.

Hey Reb wasn’t about hate. He was about heart.

It’s time to give this university, and this city, its identity back.

Sign the petition. Add your voice. And let’s bring back the Rebel spirit.