Wednesday, Dec. 9, 1998 | 3:17 a.m.
Tim Graham's media notebook appears Wednesday. Reach him at [email protected] or 259-4078.
The first UNLV football game still is nine months away, and John Robinson hadn't even met with his players until Tuesday. He hasn't done a lick of recruiting.
But the impact Robinson has made on the program already has been monumental.
No where is that more evident than in the media.
"The national media is actually calling to congratulate the university for hiring him," said UNLV assistant sports information director Mark Wallington, who handles football publicity. "That's how well-liked he is in the national media. It's not going to be tough selling the program to the national media anymore."
Throughout Jeff Horton's six-year stay at UNLV, Wallington could recall only one time the fired coach was featured on national television: the 1994 Las Vegas Bowl on ESPN.
The day Robinson was announced as the Rebels' new boss, the press conference was beamed live around the world by CNN/SI and ESPNews. Fox Sports Net also was there.
"I've talked to more national media in the past week than probably the last five years combined," Wallington said.
"It's now turned into 'We'll call you, don't call us.' It used to be the opposite. I would have to call around and lobby coverage for players, coaches and the program as a whole.
"Now they're coming to me, which makes it easier. But the sheer volume makes it tougher. It's going to take some getting used to."
The coverage should continue as the 1999 season progresses.
"Any time a coach of John Robinson's stature takes over a program, we are definitely going to pay more attention to the university," Fox Sports spokesman Dennis Johnson said.
But don't expect UNLV or Robinson stories to continue if the Rebels don't play well.
"If he turns them around, we'll keep covering," CNN/SI managing editor Steve Robinson (no relation) said. "But if it's the same old, lousy UNLV I don't think it will get more attention."
The national print media will be all over any Robinson angle it can find, especially before the annuals hit the newsstands in July.
"I see the real crush coming when writers call to do their previews for the national magazines," Wallington said. "I foresee a lot of features on John Robinson coming to UNLV."
Wallington is quick to add, however, that Robinson won't forget the local press.
"There's no question, even though he's a national figure, John Robinson knows the importance of the local media," Wallington said. "He will do as much with the local media as Jeff Horton did. He won't be big-timing anybody."
Crystal ball
In addition to increased status, Robinson might also be able to provide soothsayer coaching skills for the Rebels, if his performance adding UCLA-Miami game analysis Saturday for Pacific Sports radio network is any indication.
Throughout the high-scoring game, heard locally on KENO 1460-AM, Robinson demonstrated his X's and O's knowledge and experience by routinely predicting plays each team would run before they reached the line of scrimmage.
Robinson wasn't the smoothest of all color commentators, having trouble getting some thoughts out without stumbling over his words. But his insight was impeccable.
The eighth coach in Rebel history also will be in the booth for the Las Vegas Bowl on Dec. 19. That game will be carried by KBAD 920-AM.
Ho, ho, hike!
Around this time two years ago, sports talker "Papa Joe" Chevalier asked listeners to send in some sports-oriented Christmas Music.
Dale Palecek was listening.
The former Henderson resident and program director for KUPN Channel 21 quickly went to work. His first effort was a CD entitled Christmas Carols for Green Bay Fans, featuring tracks like "Jolly Old Coach Holmgren," "O Little Town of Green Bay" and "Rest Ye Merry Football Men."
Sales were brisk enough to spawn The Rabid Fans CD series, which now includes music for Chicago, Denver and Pittsburgh fans, too. All tracks were sung by the Southern Nevada Musical Arts Society and recorded in Las Vegas at the Powerhouse Recording Studio.
The CDs are available at three Henderson locations: Pro Image and Sam Goody at the Galleria Mall and Border's on Sunset Road. They also can be purchased on the internet at www.rabidfans.com.
"The lyrics are on the website," Palecek said. "We encourage people to download the lyrics and go out carolling. Whether they buy (the CDs) or not, it's all there to have fun."
Palecek and his wife, Pru, who sings on the CDs, now live in Wisconsin. They intend to dedicate future productions to each year's Super Bowl champ and other select teams.
Static
One former UNLV quarterback will interview another when ESPN's Kenny Mayne sits down with the Minnesota Vikings' Randall Cunningham for a segment to be aired on Sunday's "NFL Countdown." Mayne was a senior in 1981 when Cunningham was a freshman. ...
Former ESPN "Up Close" interviewer Chris Myers makes his "Fox Sports News" debut tonight at 7 p.m. on Fox Sports West. Keith Olbermann is scheduled to join the show Jan. 5...
The Pacific Coast League lost one of its most respected broadcasters when the Tacoma Rainiers fired play-by-play man Bob Robertson. The 69-year-old veteran was an 11-time winner of the Washington sportscaster of the year award. Robertson was heard locally this fall on KSHP 1400-AM, calling Washington State football. ... Fox Sports announced its 1999 "Baseball Game of the Week" schedule. The New York Yankees are slated for nine appearances. ...
ESPN airs the Heisman Trophy ceremonies Saturday at 4:30 p.m. The network offers a Heisman preview special Friday at 6 p.m. ...
Local radio and TV stations wishing to have their programming printed in the Sun's daily sports schedule should fax their listings to 383-7264.
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