UNLV Soccer Camps in Las Vegas, Nevada

UNLV Soccer Camps

Facilities

Peter Johann Memorial Field

The dedication of Peter Johann Memorial Soccer Field during the 1983 season marked a special occasion for all those who were involved with the building of UNLV's first on-campus soccer facility.

Despite the fact that UNLV soccer has been around since 1974, Rebel teams in the past never truly had a "home field" to call their own. And, when present head coach Barry Barto assumed his position prior to the 1982 season, building an on-campus soccer field became a priority.

Barto approached athletics director Brad Rothermel to work out a solution to the problem and the two settled on the current location, where the old softball field had previously existed. Once the site was finalized, a huge community effort was instrumental in the building of the soccer field.

"Many local people, the players and coaches, put in a lot of leg work and effort to the building of the field," Barto said. "Without the time, labor, and monies from the local community, it would have never come about."

The field is named after the late son of Kenneth F. Johann, a real estate businessman who has lived in Las Vegas for more than 40 years. Johann has been a strong supporter of Rebel soccer and he and his wife, Alice, set up a scholarship fund in memory of their son. Thus, when Barto spearheaded the drive for a new field, Johann was more than happy to be a part of the overall community effort.

Johann Field played host to the 1983 ISAA Senior Bowl All-Star Game where the West team posted a 4-0 victory. Numerous international matches have also been played on its pitch and it is also the site of the annual UNLV / FILA Rebel Soccer Classic. Radio first came to Johann Field when Connecticut's WHUS-FM broadcast a 1988 match between UNLV and the University of Connecticut (again in 2001).

The facility has also played host to three Las Vegas Soccer Spectaculars, which were helped run by the UNLV Women's Sports Foundation. The inauguaral contest in 2001 featured the WUSA's San Jose CyberRays and the San Diego Spirit, while in the spring of 2002, the Boston Breakers took on San Jose. Some of the players that appeared in the Spectacular included Brandi Chastain, Kristin Lilly, Tisha Venturini, and Julie Foudy. The final spectacular was in March of 2003, and was between UNLV and the Mexican Olumpic Team, who had just claimed a spot in the 2004 Athens Games.

In 2004, the UNLV men's soccer team posted its 125th victory at the site, achieving the milestone in the second to last game of the year. The Rebels first eclipsed the century mark in 174 games over 16 years. Meanwhile, after posting a program-best 9-1 record in 2004, the women's soccer team is just four wins away from 50 home victories in just their eighth season.

With the addition of endzone seats in 1997, the grandstands now offer seating for approzimately 2,500 spectators in an open seating arrangement, and the facility boasts natural grass, a press box, and lights for night matches. Generally regarded as one of the top college soccer facilities in the West, Johann Field celebrates its 23rd season in 2005.

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Robert J. Miller Building

On April 25, 1990, ground was broken for the 4,500-square-foot Robert J. Miller Building. Built and donated in his honor by Las Vegas philanthropist Claude I. Howard, this facility is the only one of its kind in collegiate soccer.

Located on the north side of Peter Johann Memorial Field on the UNLV campus, this building houses locker rooms for both home and visiting teams, an athletic training room with a whirlpool and ice machine, an equipment room complete with washer and dryer, coaches offices and reception area, concession areas, a ticket sales office and public restrooms.

This structure, which allows soccer to be a completely self-contained operation, was the third building on campus erected and donated by Howard.

"Mr. Howard is a giving person to the community," said head coach Barry Barto. "This is another indication of his commitment to Las Vegas and the residents of the community. The university can't survive without people such as him.

"He has given us a first-class facility within 10 yards of the field. The building not only enhances the northern portion of the campus but it also enhances the UNLV program giving it much credibility within the soccer community. Everyone benefits from this building."