LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — The UNLV hockey team is looking to bring home some more hardware.
After winning the Western Collegiate Hockey League Championship, the Skatin' Rebels are now setting their sights on St. Louis for the national championship.
But the trip could cost the team upwards of $50,000 if they make a deep run in the tournament.
That's why they're asking for donations to help cover travel costs like airfare, food, and hotel accommodations.
"Without our fans, without our donors or our sponsors, we wouldn't be able to go to the places that we do or play these NCAA Division I games, so with nationals coming up, it means everything," said Cole Wyatt, Rebels senior forward.
The second-ranked Rebs plan to keep that pride alive throughout their final six games of the year before nationals and showcase why they're ready to advance from a club sport to division one.
"UNLV Hockey is blank," said Heath Mensch, Rebels sophomore Forward.
Growing up in Las Vegas, Mensch knows first-hand the love that his hometown has for hockey.
"Being in the desert and everything, everyone kind of doubts you as a hockey program, but it's as good as all those northern schools, so I don't think it can get much better than this," said Mensch.
UNLV athletics say they would have to meet funding and Title IX to make the team an official sport, but regardless, UNLV Hockey hopes to finish what they started.
"For us to get to that next step, it's going to take a big chunk of money, and we're not looking for that all at once that's put together a meaningful timeline, but any help we can get, and it starts with people showing up to the games our last homestand of the year March 7-8 will be a historic night the commissioner is going to fly in and present the trophy to the boys for winning the conference and then we have our senior night which is a really special night for us."
The team has set up a GoFundMe where you can donate.
The tournament takes place from March 13-25.









