Letter from the Director of Athletics

Letter from the Vice President & Director of Athletics

Dear V Nation, Greetings from UTRGV Athletics! I want to personally thank you for your interest in and support of UTRGV Athletics. As I look back on my first year as Director of Athletics, I am enthusiastic about our future and proud of the young men and women that represent you, our university, and the Rio Grande Valley through Division I competition. As you read this report, you will have the opportunity to learn more about how our student-athletes experienced significant success in competition, in the classroom and in the community this past year. Some of the highlights include our men’s soccer team earning its first-ever national ranking, our volleyball team upsetting a Big 10 opponent, Abraham Chirchir advancing to the NCAA Cross Country Championships for the second-straight year, our baseball team defeating a Big 12 opponent twice, and our indoor track & field teams combining for nine WAC Championships.

Even with the transition to distance learning after spring break, our studentathletes continued to excel academically, posting a departmental grade point average of 3.38 and combining for 93 Academic All-WAC honors. When it comes to community service, I could not be more proud of our young people. As a department, our student-athletes ranked 20 th in the nation in community service hours while five programs ranked among the top 10 in their respective sports. What is more impressive is this past December, we unveiled the completion of $1.5 million in renovations to the UTRGV Fieldhouse while launching Vaquero Village, a new pregame fan experience four our students and supporters at basketball games. We cannot deny the fact that we are amid interesting times. COVID-19 has certainly made an impact on all of us. With that said, I am proud to be part of a university that cares deeply about our students and their success while consistently making investment decisions to ensure all students are given the opportunity to fulfill their educational aspirations. Bottomline, UTRGV has answered the call and continues to be a beacon of light for South Texas. As you review this report, I hope you are as impressed as I am with the success of UTRGV Athletics and the growth we have witnessed over the years. As we continue to grow Division I athletics in the Valley, I am confident the success we experience together will only enhance the brand and identity of our region. Thank you for your loyal and continued support of our student-athletes and coaches. You are critical to helping us #RallyTheValley! V’s Up!