Former UNLV arena director gave major sports events a place in Vegas

By Ron Kantowski

Monday, July 20, 2009 | 2 a.m.

The last time I saw Dennis Finfrock, the ravages of Parkinson’s disease already had the former UNLV arena director and interim athletic director in a three-quarter Nelson, an analogy he would appreciate owing to his wrestling background. It was October 2007. He was walking with a cane and could barely speak. Thomas & Mack Director Daren Libonati did much of the talking for his mentor and friend by interpreting his expressions and body movements.

But when I mentioned that I had to ask about then-UNLV President Bob Maxson’s plan to oust Jerry Tarkanian as Rebels basketball coach and the role he played in carrying it out, or I wouldn’t be doing my job, Finfrock asked to speak for himself.

“I feel bad that it happened,” he said in a barely audible whisper.

A lot of people around here will choose to remember Finfrock, who died Saturday, only as Maxson’s lieutenant. I suppose that is their prerogative.

But they should remember, too, that he was the guy who had the foresight and gumption to go to Carson City to ask for an additional $200,000 to tear out the first nine rows of seats at the Thomas & Mack Center so it could be retrofitted with a retractable grandstand. That opened the Mack to other uses besides Rebel basketball and turned the building into a revenue-raising behemoth, the effect of which was immediate and immeasurable.

“If that didn’t happen, there’s no (National Finals) rodeo,” said Pat Christenson, who worked under Finfrock for 11 years before leaving UNLV to become president of Las Vegas Events.

A similar decision to outfit Sam Boyd Stadium with a retractable playing surface (since replaced) also opened that facility to other uses.

Finfrock was the one who brought Mike Tyson and big-time boxing to the MGM Grand when was a vice president there.

And professional bull riding. That’s now a pretty big deal, too.

He mentored Christenson, Libonati and Steve Stallworth and all the other arena types without whom local sports would neither move nor shake.

Dennis Finfrock’s contributions to local sports were considerable. Is it too much of a reach to say that were it not for his vision and expertise, sports in Las Vegas simply wouldn’t be the same?

Probably not.

Libonati said he spent “a good day” with Finfrock a week ago Sunday when they recalled the vision and the expertise and all the tangible results they produced.

The last thing he did was lean close and whisper in his friend’s ear.

“I told him we accomplished everything we ever worked for.”