The University of Nevada men's and women's basketball teams along with the Wolf Pack cheerleaders and Alphie spent a portion of Nevada Day handing out candy to trick-of-treaters at Lawlor Events Center today.  Many of those in attendance dressed in costume to collect candy in hopes of filling up their sacks.

Trick-or-treaters were also able to get autographs on a specially designed poster that was distributed for the event.  Fans took photos with their favorite players, cheerleaders and Alphie on the court.

The women host San Francisco State on Nov. 4 at 2 p.m. in free exhibition contest. The men's free exhibition versus Oregon Tech in scheduled for Nov. 6 at 7 p.m.

Former Wolf Pack coach Keith Loper passed away at his home in Reno on Tuesday. Loper coached baseball, football and wrestling while at the University of Nevada, including a stint as Nevada's head baseball coach from 1972-73. In fact, he gave current head baseball coach Gary Powers his first job as his assistant coach.

Jim Krajewski from the Reno Gazette-Journal wrote a nice tribute to the well-liked Loper.

Powers added this about his mentor: "Keith was one of the most wonderful, loyal, caring people I have had the pleasure to have been associated with. He was a great mentor and and I am so thankful to him for all of the support and guidance he provided to me." 

We will pass along any memorial service information we receive. 

 

University of Nevada guards Deonte Burton and Malik Story have been named to the collegesportsmadness.com preseason Mountain West All-Conference teams.  The backcourt duo led the Wolf Pack to 28-7 record and a conference title last season.

Burton, the 2012 WAC Player of the Year was selected to the first team.  His 14.8 points and 4.2 assists per game topped the Pack a year ago.

The sharp shooting Story was chosen to the fourth team.  He was second on the squad averaging 14.1 points per game and connected on 42 percent of his three-point attempts.

This weekend is Hall of Fame weekend at the University of Nevada and the Wolf Pack will induct its latest group of former stars into the Athletics Hall of Fame at Friday night's dinner and Saturday's football game.

As we prepare to welcome Jennifer Ashcroft (track and field), Nate Burleson (football), Tracey King (women's tennis), Mike Maxwell (football), Don Price (baseball) and Angie Yoon (women's golf), here's a great photo from the archives of the legendary Nevada basketball coach Jake Lawlor from the first Hall of Fame Weekend in 1973:

For a complete list of all of Nevada Hall of Fame inductees, click here.

Tickets are still available for Friday night's Hall of Fame Dinner, which starts at 6 p.m. at the Reno Ballroom. Tickets can be purchased for $50 each by calling (775) 682-6965.

Tickets are also still available for the Hall of Fame Game vs. San Diego State, which kicks off 7:30 p.m. at Mackay Stadium. This year's Hall of Fame inductees will be honored at halftime of the football game. To buy tickets, call (775) 348-PACK or go online at www.NevadaWolfPack.com.

Photos from Brookfield Elementary

Several member of the University of Nevada men's basketball team along with head coach David Carter spent part of Monday afternoon at Brookfield Elementary School in Reno.  Coach Carter and the players spoke with the assembled students about the importance of school and the Wolf Pack basketball program.  The students also had an opportunity to get player autographs during the assembly.

The college football season is at its midpoint and various publications are handing out midseason awards.

Most notable for the Pack was Monday's release of the CBSSports.com Midseason All-America Team, that featured Nevada junior running back Stefphon Jefferson as a first-team All-America selection.

The Wolf Pack also had 16 selections on the Midseason All-Mountain West Team that was produced by Phil Steele's College Football publication.

Khalid Wooten was selected as the top punt returner and a first-team cornerback on the publication's Midseason All-Mountain West team. Nevada had 10 selections - nine players with Wooten on there twice - on the first team with 16 selections overall.

Five members of the Union were honored, including three on the first team in tackle Jeff Nady, guard Chris Barker and tight end Zach Sudfeld. Tackle Joel Bitonio was on the second team and center Matt Galas was named to the third team.

Wide receiver Brandon Wimberly and Stefphon Jefferson were also represented on the first-team offense. Sophomore Brock Hekking joined Wooten and safety Duke Williams on the first-team defense. And kicker Allen Hardison was also selected to the first team.

Joining Bitonio on the second team were quarterback Cody Fajardo and linebacker Albert Rosette.

On the third team along with Galas were defensive end Lenny Jones and linebacker Jeremiah Green.

The complete list is here.

With men's basketball starting practice today at 5 p.m. College Basketball released a preview of the 2012-13 Mountain West.   To read about the team's in the MW this season click on this link.

Nevada host Oregon Tech in a free exhibition contest on Nov. 6 at 7 p.m.

Men's behind the scene photos

Women's behind the scene photos

The University of Nevada basketball teams spent Thursday afternoon shooting photos for the 2012-13 posters and spots for this season's commercials.  The posters and commercials are scheduled to be finished by the end of the month so check NevadaWolfPack.com at the end of October to view the commercial and see the final poster.

Click the links above to see some of the behind the scene photos of Thursday's shoot.

Media Practice Photos

University of Nevada head coach David Carter and his staff put the local media through a typical Wolf Pack practice on Wednesday afternoon at Lawlor Events Center.  The practice is designed to give the media an idea of what the players go through each day.  Coach Carter continues the media practice tradition started by then Pack head coach Mark Fox.

The media began with a stretching session then moved on to various drills before closing out the day with a full court scrimmage.  One perk the media received following practice was pizza, something not typical of a Pack practice.

Nevada begins practice on Friday in preparation for the 2012-13 season.  The Pack hosts Oregon Tech in a free exhibition game on Nov. 6.  The first game of the season is Nov. 10 at UC Irvine.