Friendly challenge issued between UNT and UNLV presidents leading up to Heart of Dallas bowl game Jan. 1

Saturday, December 28, 2013 - 03:41
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DENTON (UNT), Texas — University of North Texas President V. Lane Rawlins and University of Nevada, Las Vegas President Neal Smatresk have issued a friendly challenge to one another in advance of the Heart of Dallas bowl game, which will be played by the two universities on Jan. 1 in the historic Cotton Bowl stadium.

If UNT wins the game, Smatresk will wear UNT Mean Green gear during a meal with Rawlins at a public place. And if UNLV wins, Rawlins will don UNLV Rebels gear for a meal with Smatresk. A date for the meal is yet to be determined.

The bowl game is of particular importance to Rawlins as it symbolizes significant progress for both Mean Green athletics and UNT, and it comes at the end of Rawlins’ tenure as president and his career in higher education.

The game also is particularly interesting for Smatresk, who will join UNT as its president on Feb. 3, replacing Rawlins, who announced in 2013 that he would be retiring.

In addition to the challenge issued between the presidents, the mayors of Denton and Las Vegas have announced a friendly challenge of their own. If UNT wins the Heart of Dallas bowl game, Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn G. Goodman will wear a UNT Mean Green shirt at a Las Vegas City Council meeting. If UNLV earns the top score, Denton Mayor Mark Burroughs will wear a UNLV Rebels shirt at a Denton City Council meeting.

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