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Current Rebel head coach Owen Hambrook, who was an assistant under Easley in 2000, said he thought it was a perfect time to honor the longest-tenured coach in UNLV history by changing the name of what was formerly was known as the Rebel Classic. "With Larry being inducted into the UNLV Athletics Hall of Fame earlier this month, we wanted to recognize all he did in building UNLV into a nationally known tennis program," Hambrook said. "This is one small way for the memory of Dr. Easley to live on in the sport he loved so much." |
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The tournament kicks off at 9 a.m. PT Friday and will be made up of one flight of doubles and two flights of singles along with consolation play in both. Admission to all matches is free of charge. Easley, who passed away from illness in 2005 at the age of 57, coached the UNLV men's tennis team longer than anyone in history and produced sometimes-spectacular results over his dozen seasons from 1993-2002. Named conference coach of the year three times, he was also twice named Intercollegiate Tennis Association Regional Coach of the Year in 1998 and 2001. His all-time record of 141-120 included leading UNLV to three Big West Conference championships. Easley produced four of UNLV's five all-time men's All-Americans, including two individual national champions when Luke Smith won the NCAA singles championship and then teamed with Tim Blenkiron to capture the NCAA doubles title in 1997. Easley received his master's degree from UNLV in 1993 and then earned his doctorate from the school in 1998 where he later taught both undergraduate and graduate courses. In 1999 he served as chairman of the NCAA Men's and Women's Tennis Committee. He was inducted into UNLV's hall of fame on October 1. |
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At Fertitta Tennis Complex, Las Vegas Friday, Oct. 29 - 9 a.m. PT First Round Doubles First Round Singles Quarterfinal Singles Saturday, Oct. 30 - 9 a.m. PT Quarterfinal Doubles Semifinal Singles Semifinal Doubles Sunday, Oct. 31 - TBD Final Singles Final Doubles Final Consolation Play (Tentative) |
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