Reno’s iconic downtown arch has turned blue as a show of support for the Nevada Wolf Pack.

“Turning our famous Reno Arch blue shows the town’s support for our Wolf Pack teams and generates great community spirit,” said City of Reno Mayor Bob Cashell.

At a ceremony Monday evening to turn on the arch with its new blue light bulbs, Cashell encouraged area businesses and casinos to put up blue lights and messages on marquees and signs to cheer on the Pack and welcome Boise State fans in town for the football game Nov. 26, 7 p.m. at Mackay Stadium.

University President Milt Glick noted the Nevada Wolf Pack football team is currently ranked No. 19. However, among the nation's top 25 teams at the time the NCAA issued it graduation success rate this fall, the Wolf Pack had the 10th best graduation success rate.

“We are very proud of what this team is accomplishing on the field, although the academic performance of all of our student athletes remains a priority,” said Glick.

Glick joined Cashell in encouraging northern Nevadans to welcome visiting Boise fans to the area and to Mackay Stadium.

“We intend to beat them on the field, but we want to welcome them to the community in the same manner that we would want to be welcomed,” he said.

“The University of Nevada has had an exciting fall and we have enjoyed fantastic community support for the Wolf Pack. Seeing the famous Reno Arch turn blue is great for our community,” said Nevada Director of Athletics Cary Groth.

Cashell commended the individuals and organizations that funded the cost of the light bulb replacement and American Sign and Crane Company, which donated labor and equipment for the project. The blue bulbs will remain in place until after the sold-out, Senior Day football game, the final home game of the season. The Boise State match up follows the Wolf Pack’s 52-6 win over New Mexico State on Nov. 20, the 500th victory in the Wolf Pack football program’s history.