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UNLV Radio and Television Announcer Glen Gondrezick Dead at 53

Tuesday, April 28, 2009 , Posted by Christopher Byrne at 3:53 PM, under ,

From Southeastern Conference Associate Commissioner for Media Relations Charles Bloom (via Facebook) comes news that former UNLV men's basketball star, NBA player, and long-time UNLV radio and television announcer Glen "Gondo" Gondrezick has died at the age of 53.

Here is the press release issued by the UNLV Running' Rebels sports information department.

Referred to fondly in the sports world simply as "Gondo," former UNLV men's basketball star, NBA player and longtime radio and TV announcer Glen Gondrezick will be remembered first and foremost as a true Runnin' Rebel.

Gondrezick died Monday in Henderson at the age of 53. He had undergone a heart transplant on Sept. 20, 2008.

The graduate of Boulder (Colo.) High School was one of Jerry Tarkanian's first recruits at UNLV and lettered from 1973-74 through the 1976-77 season. Gondrezick went on to finish as the 16th-leading scorer in UNLV basketball history with 1,311 points and played a major role in the Runnin' Rebels advancing to their first NCAA Final Four in 1977.

"From being a great player for some great teams to spending almost two decades announcing Runnin' Rebel basketball, Gondo was an institution here at UNLV," Director of Athletics Mike Hamrick said. "He will be sorely missed by everyone who has worked with him as well as all of the fans who have followed his career and listened to the games. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family."

Gondrezick's determination and hustle made him an instant fan favorite, and his style of play almost always resulted in scrambles on the floor and collisions in the scorer's table while chasing down loose balls. His jersey number 25 was retired in a halftime ceremony at the Runnin' Rebels game against UCLA at the Thomas & Mack Center on Dec. 27, 1997.

"He was as competitive and as tough a player that I have ever coached," said Tarkanian. "He was one of the most loyal people I have known, and that is one attribute I always use when talking about him. He is one of my all-time favorite people. I loved the guy."

Gondrezick averaged 11.4 points per game during his four seasons in Las Vegas. He also is ninth (831) on the Runnin' Rebel career rebounds list. A 1977 honorable mention All-American and 1987 inductee into the Rebel Athletics Hall of Fame, he was a second round NBA draft pick and spent six seasons in the pro league - two (1977-79) with the New York Knicks and four (1979-83) with the Denver Nuggets. He averaged 5.8 points, 4.5 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game over his career.

His best season in the NBA was 1981-82 when he averaged 8.3 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game in 80 games with the Nuggets.

Following his NBA career, Gondrezick played two years in Europe (1983-85), which culminated with a European championship and being named MVP. Gondrezick would later return to UNLV, spending the past 17 seasons as a radio and television analyst for his alma mater.

"Gondo is special to the Rebel family," UNLV head coach Lon Kruger said. "He was an outstanding player and maintained his passion and love for the Rebels throughout his NBA playing career and then with his broadcasting of Rebel games. He will truly be missed by everyone."

Gondrezick is survived by his three children: daughter Britt, and two sons, Kelan and Travis.

Services are pending.



Related Link(s)

Glen Gondrezick: It's All About Heart (National Basketball Retired Players Association)
For first time, his heart is in question (Las Vegas Sun)

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