‘GONDO’ RECALLED WITH TEARS, LAUGHS
As the stories about Glen Gondrezick flowed, the tears followed. There was plenty of laughter, too, which is how Gondrezick probably would have scripted it.
The UNLV basketball great was remembered as a passionate player and person -- and also a prankster -- at a memorial service Thursday in the Thomas & Mack Center.
Gondrezick, 53, died Monday of apparent complications from a heart transplant he received in September. A gathering of about 400 of his friends and fans, plus current and former UNLV players, attended the 75-minute service.
"As we move on in life, he will always be in my memories and always be in my heart," said Robert Smith, Gondrezick's former teammate. "I know Glen, and he would want you to come out of here smiling. He wouldn't want you to come out of here sad."
Gondrezick and Smith starred on the Rebels' first Final Four team in 1977, and they remained close for three decades.
Smith is arguably the best point guard in UNLV history.
Gondrezick, a relentless hustler, had his jersey No. 25 retired in 1997. The jersey was lowered from the rafters in his honor.
Gondrezick scored 1,311 points from 1973 to 1977 to rank 16th on the Rebels' all-time scoring list.
"When you look back at those years and say, 'What is a Runnin' Rebel?' Glen Gondrezick was a true story of a Runnin' Rebel," Smith said. "He made everyone else around him better because he would not give up. He ran so hard. He never would quit."
Other speakers included UNLV athletic director Mike Hamrick, Rebels play-by-play voice Jon Sandler, friend Bobby Gleason and Dick Calvert, who gave "Gondo" his start in broadcasting.
Gondrezick was the color commentator on UNLV's radio broadcasts for the past 17 years.
"Even though he's gone now, in my memories he'll always be my partner," said Ken Korach, who called the Rebels with Gondrezick for 12 years.
Former Nevada governor Bob Miller also spoke. "As sad as it is, we're here to celebrate the life of an incredible person," Miller said.
Contact reporter Matt Youmans at myoumans@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2907.
