Vol. 4, No. 6, June 2008
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Casino Coach
Wallace brings leadership to Downtown Las Vegas
Former University of Hawaii basketball coach Riley Wallace enjoys life’s version of a recap, the payoff from successful relationships. Wallace serves as special-events host for Boyd’s Downtown Las Vegas properties, including Fremont Hotel and Casino, Main Street Station Casino and Brewery and the California.He’s a high-profile liaison. And it’s a layup, the dream job for athletes and coaches already in the public eye. Wallace, a well-known name in Hawaii, mixes sporting events with Hawaiian gambling clientele. He attends ballgames, tells stories, entertains casino players and looks after them. What makes this “easy” job significant is its attachment to affluent patrons. If he’s effective, they’re happy.
“You need people skills regardless of the industry you are in,” Wallace says. “You couldn’t last if you didn’t. When you look at the type of hospitality the casino gives the customers, and when you see the high priority that takes up in the hiring process, it all makes sense.”
Wallace was happy to be assigned Downtown traffic. Customers represent a homecoming for him.
“There are quite a big number of people here who are from Hawaii,” Wallace says. “You remember how the people are. When you first move to Hawaii itself, you are kind of put on trial. Once people realize you are wholesome, that you are not pushing your ways, it is the best place in the world. The people love their sports, and here, the Hawaiian gaming people are everywhere.”
Wallace began making significant connections while still in Hawaii. He helped run the Maui Open tournament, which Bill Boyd attended. When the U of H basketball team traveled to Las Vegas, Wallace continued forging the alliance. Wallace retired from coaching, and Boyd recruited Wallace’s ambassadorial skills to break into the Hawaii market.
“A lot of casinos have made a run at the Hawaii business,” Wallace says. “They have called, put ads in the paper, tried everything to make a connection with it, but they did not succeed. Bill Boyd had it for so long and maintained it.”
Wallace won 334 games during 20 head coaching and six assistant coaching seasons in Hawaii. He won the second most games in Western Athletic Conference history. Only Texas-El Paso coach Don Haskins, feted in the movie Glory Road, has more.
“I’ll be the next movie,” Wallace says.
One player provided a storybook ending. Wallace coached Robert Parish at Centenary College in Louisiana, praising the future Hall of Famer’s work ethic. Parish later became part of an anecdote Wallace shares with customers.
“He was traded from Golden State to Boston,” Wallace says. “Because of that, Golden State needs a center, so they trade up in the draft and take Joe Barry Carroll. Boston gets the No. 3 pick instead of No. 1 and who do they get? Kevin McHale. They already had Larry Bird, now they get Robert Parish. Biggest steal of all time.”
Parish played on three championship teams and became one of the NBA’s 50 Greatest Players. Parish, McHale and Bird all made that elite list and are largely considered the greatest front court trio in NBA history.
While Wallace misses coaching, he does not mind the reduced pressure.
“The worst thing is completing the ‘honey do’ list my wife gives me,” he laughs.
Wallace thrives in the desert sun—his son and daughter reside here, and his grand-nephew plays basketball for the Runnin’ Rebels.
For Wallace, it’s the perfect payback for a life well lived.
