Columnist Dean Juipe: Knight sits comfortably atop world

Dean Juipe's column appears Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday. His boxing notebook appears Thursday. Reach him at [email protected] or 259-4084.

From his choice seat on top of the world, Dwaine Knight couldn't keep from beaming.

He's naturally cheerful and agreeable, but this was just too much.

At his desk in his UNLV office -- the one that's plastered with framed photographs and awards that have been garnered by his many successful golf teams -- he was the recipient of nonstop attention and good news.

"This is crazy, isn't it?" he said Monday, reflecting on the avalanche of congratulatory messages and ancillary compliments that were coming without pause.

And it was crazy, in a joyous sort of way.

One day after his Rebels won the nationally televised U.S. Collegiate Golf Championship tournament at Lecanto, Fla., Knight was being systematically overwhelmed. Not only did the phone keep ringing, but fellow UNLV coaches like football impresario John Robinson were darting in and out to express their glee.

As if that wasn't enough, Knight fielded a call that brought him a commitment from a stellar player just completing his high-school career, plus ESPN2 was running a half-hour program that it shot last week in Las Vegas that featured the Rebels and their quest to win back-to-back NCAA titles.

What a day.

"All the guys have called," he said, referring to a group of his prominent pupils who are now playing professionally, such as Edward Fryatt and Chris Riley. "It's really been fun. And having us on TV again today doesn't hurt either, I guess."

In case there were any doubts, the UNLV golf program has arrived. Everyone knew last year's national championship was no fluke, but Knight and the Rebels are now so well established that they can skip the rebuilding process that most programs have to intermittently endure. Now, they simply reload.

With four tournament victories this season, plus two seconds and one third, this year's Rebels have picked up where last year's left off. A perennial threat to win the national championship throughout the 1990s, UNLV has to be seen as the team to beat when this season's tournament is held in early June at the renowned Hazeltine Country Club in Chaska, Minn.

The Rebels are exhibiting more than a few dynastic qualities, which is just what Knight envisioned when he came to UNLV in 1988.

"It's been nice to take this program from ground zero to where people in the community can really take pride in us," he said. "It's a win-win situation for us and the city."

Knight and the Rebels have the recruiting advantage of access to any and all golf courses in Las Vegas, but there's something else going on here. They're routinely capitalizing on their good fortune and there's nothing accidental about it.

Knight is a great coach and a positive influence on his players. As he did with his incoming recruit on the phone, he talks about "Rebel pride" and "being a part of the Rebel golf family" and he does it without coming across as transparent or doting.

He has a warm sincerity that endears him to his players, his coaching colleagues and those who interact with him on even an irregular basis.

He's an easy man to admire and Monday, a day which was a little more special than most, he was glowing with delight.

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