LAS VEGAS -- Several conferences in town, the championship Runnin' Rebels game, and the Big League Weekend made Saturday a big day for sports in Las Vegas.
Before the game UNLV fans said they cared about more than the score.
"It's huge if you think about all the tournaments here in town right now, it's just really big for the city," said Senior Zach Smith. "And having your home team do well it really helps solidify that."
Last year the Mountain West Conference at UNLV brought in almost 8,000 out-of-towners and about 7.5 million dollars in non gaming revenue. Members of the rebellion say they like the economic impact, but they care more about growing school and community pride.
"You can feel the energy from the stands, from the student section, from just everywhere," said Stephanie Haze a member of the UNLV Cheer Team. "It's insane."
Over at Cashman field there was less pressure on the game.
"We're going to watch the game or whatever," said Tim Glasgow at his first Big League Weekend Game. "But we're just out here tailgating, enjoying the awesome weather we got this weekend.
Some fans were relaxed, but others take America's past time more seriously.
"You have to throw good and catch good," said 7-year-old George Little. "If you can't do any of that stuff you can't be a good baseball player."
The cubs beat the rangers 5 to 1 in front of a crowd of 9,000, but for big league weekend and the Rebel game it's really not about the scoreboard.
"The support has grown so much. Like everyone comes out for the game, the stands are almost always filled," said Haze. "I just feel like we're going to have that support and the rebels are going to feel that today."
