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LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) — The UNLV Athletics Department announced that former quarterback Hajj-Malik Williams was named winner of this year’s Bill Ireland Award, which was handed out at Monday’s Welcome Back event at the Thomas & Mack Center. The honor is given annually to a student-athlete who shines brightest in their respective sport while competing against UNR as part of the Silver State Series presented by America First Credit Union. UNLV won the overall competition (27-21) for the third consecutive season and for the 11th time in the award’s 13-year history
The Ireland honoree, selected through a vote by members of the UNLV Athletics Strategic Communications department, must come from a Rebel team that won its competition vs. the Wolf Pack during the year, have made a significant impact on that outcome and also be in good academic standing.
Williams, in his one and only season with the Rebels, led 21st-ranked UNLV to a 38-14 victory over UNR at Allegiant Stadium on Nov. 30, 2024, to give his team its first 10-win season in 40 years and a spot in the Mountain West Championship game. Engineering an ultra-efficient offense, he was responsible for three touchdowns, completing 14-of-21 pass attempts for 168 yards and a score and rushing for 104 yards and two TDs, for an eye-popping average of 10.4 yards per attempt to help keep the famed Fremont Cannon red.
Williams is the fifth football player to win the Ireland Award, joining safety Johnathan Baldwin in 2023, quarterback Kenyon Oblad in 2020, quarterback Armani Rogers in 2019 and linebacker Ryan McAleenan in 2016.
The award is named in honor of the late Mr. Bill Ireland, who was deeply tied to the history of the Wolf Pack and Rebels athletics programs. A 1952 graduate of the University of Nevada, Reno, Ireland was the Wolf Pack’s first baseball coach (1961-67). After his time at UNR, he went on to UNLV where he became the Rebels first football coach (1968-72) and later served as athletics director (1973-80). Ireland is also credited with helping create the famed rivalry trophy the Fremont Cannon.
UNLV BILL IRELAND AWARD WINNERS
- 2025 – Hajj-Malik Williams, Football
- 2024 – Trinity Buchanan, Women’s Soccer
- 2023 – Johnathan Baldwin, Football
- 2022 – Bryce Hamilton, Men’s Basketball
- 2021 – Kristina Schneider, Swimming & Diving
- 2020 – Kenyon Oblad, Football
- 2019 – Armani Rogers, Football
- 2018 — Janine Petmecky, Softball
- 2017 – Lily Sender, Women’s Soccer
- 2016 – Ryan McAleenan, Football2015 – Janine Petmecky, Softball2014 – Jenn Wolfe, Women’s Soccer2013 – Buddy Borden, Baseball
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