UTRGV Athletics Annual Report 2023-24

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MISSION STATEMENT UTRGV Athletics will create a first-class student-athlete experience that fosters a culture of RESPECT, growth, and INTEGRITY, and supports our student-athletes in achieving SUCCESS in both the classroom and in competition.

We will be inclusive and #RallyTheValley as we inspire pride, create excitement, and ENGAGE our campus community, and our region as the Rio Grande Valley’s Division I team.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

4 5 6 7 8 10 11 12 14 15 16 18 19 20 21 22 24 26 30 31 32 34 36 37 38

LETTER FROM THE DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS LETTER FROM THE SAAC PRESIDENT IN THE CLASSROOM #RISEUP AND VAQUEROS UNITED COMMUNITY SUPPORT STUDENT ENGAGEMENT FUTURE VAQUEROS A MEMORABLE BASEBALL SEASON TOURNAMENT CENTRAL VAQUEROS IN THE LOWER VALLEY COMPETITIVE EXCELLENCE VAQUEROS PERFORMANCE CENTER UTRGV SOCCER AND TRACK & FIELD COMPLEX VAQUEROS GOLF CENTER AT CHAMPION LAKES UTRGV BASEBALL STADIUM UTRGV FIELDHOUSE HOME STADIUM FOR UTRGV FOOTBALL ROBERT & JANET VACKAR STADIUM LICENSING MEDIA REACH UTRGV JOINS THE SOUTHLAND CONFERENCE NEW FACES McALLEN INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT CORPORATE PARTNERS BASEBALL BEATS TEXAS

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LETTER FROM THE DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS

CHASSE CONQUE

Greetings from UTRGV Athletics! I want to thank you for your interest in and support of UTRGV Athletics. As I begin my sixth year at UTRGV, 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.

We are blessed with a winning formula at UTRGV starting with President Guy Bailey, a supportive leadership team, a dedicated group of coaches, talented student-athletes, and a region that is cheering us on and investing in us every step of the way. Collectively, we are building something special in the Rio Grande Valley.

This was a historic year for UTRGV as we secured one of the 40 largest gifts in the history of college athletics – $20 million from Robert and Janet Vackar. In recognition of their generosity, our football stadium in Edinburg, which the university also acquired this year, will be named Robert & Janet Vackar Stadium. We are excited to see the stadium rocking throughout our inaugural 2025 season as fans have already placed nearly 5,000 season ticket deposits!

The facilities for Vaqueros football will be unmatched as we also broke ground on the 45,000-square foot Vaqueros Performance Center in November and completed the first of two practice fields in June.

Speaking of facilities, since 2022, UTRGV Athletics has embarked on $160M in facility upgrades impacting all 18 programs.

Earlier this year, we opened the brand-new Vaqueros Golf Center at Champion Lakes in McAllen, completed the addition of the new operations centers at the UTRGV Soccer and Track & Field Complex, undertook significant upgrades to UTRGV Baseball Stadium, and finished interior renovations at the UTRGV Fieldhouse while also beginning work on the new fieldhouse atrium.

By 2026, every program will benefit from a new or completely renovated facility for our student-athletes, coaches, and fans to enjoy.

A record number of fans enjoyed our upgraded amenities as we welcomed over 120,000 fans through our gates across all sports, including a program record 62,132 for baseball, ranking 39th in NCAA Division I. Our best attended event of the year was in December, when women’s basketball hosted Texas at Bert Ogden Arena in front of a program-record 6,591 fans - the largest crowd to ever watch a women’s basketball game in the Valley and the second most to ever watch a college basketball game in the Valley.

Our student-athletes continue to excel academically, posting a department-record cumulative grade point average of 3.35 and combining for 128 academic all-conference honors. In addition, we achieved a record-high NCAA Academic Progress Rate (APR) of 990.

When it comes to community service, I could not be more proud of our young people. Our student-athletes combined to rank sixth in the nation in total community service, completing 5,042 hours, while seven programs ranked in the top 10 in their respective sports. As part of our service, we took our commitment to the entire Rio Grande Valley community seriously, hosting youth clinics in Brownsville and Harlingen and also hosting the conference tennis tournaments in Harlingen.

As you review this report, I hope you are as impressed as I am with the success of UTRGV Athletics and the considerable growth we have witnessed over the years. As we continue to bolster Division I athletics in the Valley, I am confident the success we experience together will only enhance the brand and identity of our region. Part of the enhanced branding will come from competing in the Southland Conference starting this year, a conference with seven Texas members, the most in NCAA Division I. Thank you for your loyal and continued support of our student-athletes and coaches. You are critical to helping us #RallyTheValley!

V’s Up!

Chasse S. Conque Vice President & Director of Athletics

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Ingridy Foltran Represents UTRGV and the Western Athletic Conference at the NCAA Student-Athlete Leadership Forum.

LETTER FROM THE SAAC PRESIDENT As the Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) president, I am proud to write that UTRGV Athletics is on an upward trajectory and it’s an honor to be part of this growing community.

This past year we opened new facilities for our golf, track and field, cross country, and soccer programs. It has been fun watching my fellow student-athletes enjoy new locker rooms that create team bonding and provide resources for training so that we can compete at the highest level.

Our athletics department finished sixth among NCAA Division I schools in community service for the 2023-24 academic year. Student-athletes put in over 5,000 hours serving the Rio Grande Valley. We also enjoyed hosting camps and clinics for the youth and future Vaqueros in our community.

Former SAAC president Geo Hernandez was 1 of 20 NCAA Division I student-athletes selected to attend the inaugural NCAA Student-Athlete Symposium in April.

On July 1, our athletics department joined the Southland Conference.

The move to the SLC creates new opportunities for competition and rivalries and I am eager to see how our teams will rise to the challenge.

The Southland Conference is known for its competitive spirit, and I am confident that UTRGV will make a significant impact.

My experience as a student-athlete has been incredibly rewarding, thanks in no small part to the unwavering support from our university and community. The encouragement we receive from fans, faculty, and fellow students fuels our drive to excel both on and off the field, court, course and in and out of the pool. I am deeply grateful for this support.

Thank you for believing in us and for your continued support of UTRGV Athletics.

V’s Up!

Sam Johnson II Junior, Track & Field Klein, TX

Isabelle Bahr attended the 2024 Career in Sports Forum and was one of two student-athletes to receive the NCAA Division I AASP Career Development Award at the event.

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IN THE CLASSROOM 3.35 DEPARTMENT CUMULATIVE GPA

85%

GRADUATION SUCCESS RATE

990

ACADEMIC PROGRESS RATE ALL-TIME HIGH

ALL-TIME HIGH

3.80 WOMEN’S GOLF TEAMS WITH HIGHEST GPA

3.62 WOMEN’S SOCCER 3.59 MEN’S GOLF 3.50 WOMEN’S TENNIS

IN THE COMMUNITY 6TH

UTRGV RANKING IN COMMUNITY SERVICE IN 2023-24 ALL-TIME HIGH

4,975 41

TOTAL COMMUNITY SERVICE HOURS ALL-TIME HIGH

ORGANIZATIONS SUPPORTED

NATIONALLY RANKED UTRGV TEAMS TRACK 1ST MEN’S & FIELD

7TH WOMEN’S TRACK & FIELD

4TH MEN’S GOLF

8TH MEN’S SOCCER

6TH WOMEN’S GOLF

9TH MEN’S BASKETBALL

7TH BASEBALL 6

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#RISEUP AWARD The #RISEup Award aims to celebrate individuals in our department who have gone above and beyond, carry out UTRGV core values of Respect, Integrity, Success and Engagement while making a significant impact on the experience of our student-athletes and their fellow coaches and staff members.

This year’s honorees are: FALL 2023 West Nott – Head Women’s Tennis Coach Julia Perez – Assistant Athletic Director for Student-Athlete Services SPRING 2024 Ekaterina Vorobeva – Assistant Men’s and Women’s Tennis Coach Paula Rodriguez – Athletic Medical Assistant Ivania Chapa - Marketing Student Assistant

VAQUEROS UNITED PLEDGE

As a Vaquero and member of the UTRGV Community, I am committed to upholding the rights of people of all walks of life and addressing the inequalities of society. I am committed to stopping divisive conversations and starting productive discussions that promote unity and understanding. I stand committed to the inclusion of all races, genders, religions, and nationalities. I stand united with my fellow Vaqueros against racism and hatred. We share a commitment to continuing the conversation of love, acceptance, and awareness for social justice and human rights. Together, we will promote peace, love, and equality.

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COMMUNITY SUPPORT 09

5,7

TICKET REVENUE

$47 07

CORPORATE SPONSORSHIP REVENUE

4,4

$38

50

7,5

$13

$2

1 22

00

0,0

9,4

$11

00

0,0

$40

8

60 94,

,81

9 $18

$25

00

00

2,0

2,0

$24

00

1,0

$45

$30

7

,73

$95 FY18

FY19

FY20

FY21

FY22

FY23

NEARLY $23,000,000 8

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00

0,0

$12

FY24

FY18

RECORD FUNDRAISING YEAR

00

5,0

$72

FY19

FY20

FY21

FY22

FY23

FY24

ALL-TIME HIGH

120,508

OVERALL 2023-24 ATTENDANCE UTRGV BASEBALL RANKED 39th AMONG THE 305 NCAA DIVISION I BASEBALL TEAMS IN TOTAL AND AVERAGE ATTENDANCE DURING THE 2024 SEASON

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STUDENT ENGAGEMENT Our students engaged with our department and student-athletes by attending games, enjoying complimentary food at several events, and fully embracing their Vaqueros spirit. Student organizations were actively involved in the game day experience by adopting games and being prominently featured at our events. Additionally, our student section, The Herd, played a vital role in fostering the Vaqueros spirit within our venues.

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FUTURE VAQUEROS Our department welcomed over 30,000 youth to the UTRGV campus, including school day events for volleyball and women’s basketball. Students learned about UTRGV, and experienced first-hand the excitement of college athletics. Additionally, these group experiences allow youth sports teams, school groups, and young talent from different disciplines to perform at our games. These efforts help inspire and connect with the next generation of Vaqueros.

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A MEMORABLE BASEBALL SEASON The 2024 baseball season featured innovative promotions and fan experiences that led to a record-breaking attendance season. UTRGV was ranked 39th in total and average attendance during the 2024 regular season, drawing 62,132 fans over 28 dates. This resulted in a record average of 2,219 fans per game.

SWIFTIE NIGHT | 3/23/24 ATTENDANCE: 4,313

SELENA NIGHT | 4/13/24 ATTENDANCE: 5,374

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956 NIGHT | 4/6/24 ATTENDANCE: 6,044

NATIONAL BBQ NIGHT | 5/16/24 ATTENDANCE: 1,868

BARK IN THE PARK | 4/27/24 ATTENDANCE: 3,915

LAST SERIES | 5/17/24 ATTENDANCES: 4,451

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TOURNAMENT CENTRAL In February, UTRGV and the City of Pharr co-hosted approximately 600 student-athletes, coaches and staff from 14 teams for the 2024 WAC Swimming and Diving Championships at the City of Pharr Natatorium, marking the second-straight year UTRGV has hosted the event.

UTRGV then hosted eight women’s and five men’s tennis teams for the WAC Tennis Championships at H-E-B Tennis Center at Pendleton Park in Harlingen, marking the third time in nine years that UTRGV has not only hosted the event, but done so in Cameron County.

UTRGV, which has hosted four conference championships over the last two years, is committed to consistently bringing the best college athletics has to offer to the Rio Grande Valley and providing the best possible experience for fans, student-athletes, coaches and staff from both the Valley and around the country.

CONFERENCE TOURNAMENTS IN THE RIO GRANDE VALLEY

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VAQUEROS IN THE LOWER VALLEY August 18 | Free Men’s Soccer Match vs. St. Mary’s Veterans Memorial Early College High School, Brownsville October 25 | Free Women’s Tennis Youth Camp Brownsville Tennis Center, Brownsville October 28 | Free Women’s Tennis Youth Camp H-E-B Tennis Center, Harlingen March 11 | Free Track & Field Youth Camp Duckhead Field, Brownsville March 29 | Free Volleyball Youth Camp Pace High School, Brownsville March 30 | Free Volleyball Match vs. Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Pace High School, Brownsville April 18-20 | WAC Tennis Championships H-E-B Tennis Center, Harlingen April 20 | Free Women’s Soccer Youth Camp Brownsville Sports Park, Brownsville May 4 | Free Volleyball Youth Camp Hannah High School, Brownsville June 24-26 | Men’s Basketball Camp Hannah High School, Brownsville

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COMPETITIVE EXCELLENCE Baseball UTRGV welcomed a program-record 62,132 fans this season, finishing 39th across all NCAA Division I baseball programs in regular season attendance. On the field, the Vaqueros picked up a couple signature wins, defeating Texas 17-9 on April 16 and knocking out Grand Canyon, the regular season champions, in the WAC Tournament to advance to the semifinals.

Men’s Basketball J.J. Howard stood out for the Vaqueros by finishing in the top five among WAC freshman in points per game (10.2) and field goal percentage (41.5%) on his way to winning UTRGV Male Rookie of the Year honors.

Women’s Basketball Kade Hackerott started all 29 games for the Vaqueros and led the team in points (344), rebounds (235), and assists (81). Jayda Holiman provided a spark by averaging 9.2 points per game on her way to being named to the WAC All-Freshman team.

Cross Country The men’s cross country team earned two top-5 finishes as a team.

Both the men and women saw immense growth at the Arturo Barrios Invitational as six runners hit personal records. In the community, men’s track & field and cross country finished number one among all NCAA Division I programs.

Men’s Golf UTRGV posted six top-5 finishes, doubling the previous year’s total, and successfully defended their Big Texan team title this year while Javier Neira Garcia won the individual title. The Vaqueros also finished a program-best tied for second at the WAC Championships.

Women’s Golf Mercedes Vega earned two top-15 finishes to lead all women’s golfers.

The Vaqueros excelled in the classroom as they led the department with a 3.80 GPA and all nine student-athletes earned AD Honor Roll recognition. The team shined bright in the community as they finished sixth in community service among all NCAA Division I women’s golf programs.

Women’s Soccer Linnea Eld was named to the WAC All-Freshman Team this season after starting in all 17 matches and leading the team in points (6), tying for the team lead in goals (2) and assists (2), and ranking second in shots (12). The Vaqueros also had five student-athletes earn Academic AllWAC honors.

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Men’s Soccer UTRGV performed well at home posting a 4-2 record with wins over Xavier, San Jose State, and UNLV. Bryant Farkarlun made his mark as he co-led the team in points and goals despite sitting out the first four matches due to transfer rules. He was selected 31st overall in the MLS SuperDraft by Austin FC and signed a Major League Soccer (MLS) contract with Austin FC.

Men’s Tennis UTRGV reached the semifinals of the WAC Tournament for the second year in a row with a dominating 4-0 victory over Seattle U and pushed the eventual champions to the brink, with the match coming down to the final court and set. Emilien Burnel made the All-WAC Singles First Team and Ivo Isqueiro was named to the All-WAC Singles Second Team.

Women’s Tennis The Vaqueros picked up signature wins with a big 4-3 win over Houston, defeating the Cougars from the Big 12 Conference for the first time ever, and earning a 4-1 victory over UTEP for the first time since 2008.

The team was also active in the community, hosting nearly 300 youth in clinics in Brownsville and in Harlingen.

Indoor Track & Field The women’s team experienced a breakout season, rising from ninth in 2023 to fourth at the 2024 WAC Championships. Symoria Adkins won the WAC championship in the 60-meter hurdles while the men improved on last year’s finish and Gael Romo earned a bronze medal in the 60-meter dash.

Outdoor Track & Field Six Vaqueros advanced to the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field West Preliminary Round tied for most dating back to 2019. Symoria Adkins won the WAC Championships in the 100-meter dash, 100-meter hurdles, 200-meter dash, and 4x100-meter relay on her way to winning Outstanding Track Performer. Hannah Hilding won a silver medal in the hammer throw and two bronze medals in shot put and discus on her way to winning Outstanding Field Performer. Jedidiah Udunna won the WAC Championship in the long jump.

Volleyball UTRGV finished third in the WAC after winning 12-of-16 conference games this past season. The Vaqueros followed up that regular season performance with a semifinals appearance at the WAC Tournament. On the court, four student-athletes earned All-WAC honors.

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VAQUEROS PERFORMANCE CENTER In November, UTRGV Athletics broke ground on the Vaqueros Performance Center, a 45,000+ square foot facility, north of UTRGV Baseball Stadium, that will house the football program, be used by multiple sports, and is expected to be complete by the fall of 2025.

The first shovels of dirt were dug out by Texas Women’s Hall of Famer and wife of UTRGV President Guy Bailey, Val LaMantia, Edinburg Mayor Ramiro Garza, Texas State Senator Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa, UT System Regent Dr. Nolan Perez, UTRGV President Guy Bailey, UTRGV Vice President and Director of Athletics Chasse Conque, and UTRGV Head Football Coach Travis Bush.

The Vaqueros Performance Center construction, totaling $45 million, includes two practice fields that will be available for football and soccer, one of which will be made of natural grass and one of which be made of synthetic turf.

It will also house a new, large, state-of-the-art strength & conditioning facility for use by football and other athletics programs, an academic support center, a football locker room, football coaches’ offices, a sports medicine facility, a team room with stadium-style seating, multiple meeting rooms, and additional office space to be used by other athletics personnel.

The Vaqueros Performance Center will include the Val LaMantia and Dr. Guy Bailey Academic Success Center as LaMantia and Bailey made a significant personal gift directed toward the academic success of UTRGV student-athletes.

Practice field completed June 2024

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UTRGV SOCCER AND TRACK & FIELD COMPLEX UTRGV student-athletes got their first look inside the new buildings at the UTRGV Soccer and Track & Field Complex in January, celebrating the completion of $10 million in enhancements to their facility.

The new buildings include more than 13,500 square feet of space for locker rooms for the men’s and women’s soccer and track & field programs, athletic training rooms, meeting rooms, and coaches’ offices.

Additional enhancements include a new goalkeeper and skills training area as well as the Hinojosa Family Press Box and upgraded sound system, which kicked off the upgrades in the fall of 2022.

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VAQUEROS GOLF CENTER UTRGV Athletics and the City of McAllen celebrated the completion of the Vaqueros Golf Center, a nearly $3 million facility, at Champion Lakes Golf Course.

The Vaqueros Golf Center includes more than 4,200 square feet of space for locker rooms for the men’s and women’s golf programs, two hitting bays, a study lounge, nutrition station and viewing area, and coaches’ offices.

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UTRGV BASEBALL STADIUM UTRGV Baseball Stadium received a $3 million dollar facelift that features new chairback seats, a brick backstop, new walls extending down the left and right field foul lines and all around the outfield, Home Plate Club seating for an upgraded experience, and more.

The new Home Plate Club features breathable mesh seats, a drink rail, and ample leg room. In addition to an excellent field level view, fans can enjoy full-service waitstaff and not have to miss a moment of the game. The Home Plate Club sold out before the 2024 season started, creating demand to double this premium seating area for the 2025 season.

This investment is part of over $160 million in construction projects being completed by UTRGV Athletics on all athletics facilities over a span of three and a half years.

Prior to the 2023 season, the baseball clubhouse received extensive renovation to the program’s locker room and sports medicine facility. Additionally, the stadium’s 10 premium suites were redesigned, creating a VIP experience for suite holders and guests.

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UTRGV FIELDHOUSE

Construction on the new UTRGV Fieldhouse atrium is underway. The new atrium will include a new entrance for fans attending basketball and volleyball games with a new box office, team store, concession stand, hall of fame area, and restrooms. Fans will also have the opportunity to enjoy a new, unique way to watch the games from the newly created Baseline Club. Construction is expected to be completed during the summer of 2025.

This is the second phase of upgrades to the UTRGV Fieldhouse, which has undergone significant interior renovations including a new video board and ribbon board, new seating, and a new court design. The interior renovations were completed in December 2023.

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Renovations to the UTRGV Fieldhouse also include a new practice gym (pictured above) for the basketball and volleyball teams, in addition to the strength and conditioning facility that opened in Fall 2022.

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HOME STADIUM FOR UTRGV FOOTBALL In February, UTRGV announced the acquisition of the former H-E-B Park, designating the venue as the primary home for the upcoming Vaqueros football program.

The stadium has a capacity of about 10,000 and boasts 20 acres of festival grounds, including an amphitheater that seats an additional 2,500.

UTRGV President Guy Bailey said the stadium presents an extraordinary opportunity for the university.

“This stadium gives both our community and football program immediate access to a premier facility while also providing additional possibilities for our university,” Bailey said. “Its location off Expressway 281 also ensures convenient access for our fans, as well as visitors who make their way into the Valley for games.”

Bailey expressed gratitude for the pivotal role the City of Edinburg and the Edinburg Economic Development Corporation (EDC) played in facilitating the acquisition.

“We extend our heartfelt appreciation to the Edinburg City Council, and Edinburg EDC, along with their dedicated teams,” Bailey said. “Without their unwavering support and shared vision, this transformative collaboration would not have come to fruition.”

Edinburg Mayor Ramiro Garza said he is excited about UTRGV football and its benefits to the city.

“Continuing another historic chapter in our longstanding relationship with the university, this partnership between the City of Edinburg and UTRGV symbolizes our steadfast commitment to nurturing growth and opportunity within our community,” Garza said. “Bringing Division I football to Edinburg enriches our city’s sports landscape and paves the way for new possibilities for our residents and visitors alike. I sincerely thank President Bailey and the entire university team for their visionary leadership and collaborative efforts.

I eagerly anticipate UTRGV football’s transformative impact on Edinburg and the entire Rio Grande Valley.”

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“Robert and Janet Vackar’s remarkable generosity and steadfast commitment to UTRGV exemplify the spirit of philanthropy and community leadership. Their transformative support will have a lasting impact on our university, empowering us to enhance educational opportunities and enrich the lives of our students for generations to come.”

- Dr. Guy Bailey

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ROBERT & JANET VACKAR STADIUM In March, UTRGV announced the naming of Robert & Janet Vackar Stadium, which had recently been acquired as the home stadium of Vaqueros football.

The naming, which was granted in perpetuity, is in recognition of the Vackars' unwavering support of the football program, when it was still only a vision, and their longstanding generosity to the university, including a new $20 million gift to UTRGV Athletics.

Robert & Janet Vackar Stadium will serve as the home of the Vaqueros football program and will also host a variety of other university events. Both announcements were made during a press conference held on the newly named stadium field.

Robert and Janet, both natives of the Valley, and the owners and principal dealers of the Bert Ogden Auto Group, were raised by parents who owned local businesses, instilling in them the values of hard work, volunteerism and giving back to the community. United by a shared commitment, they are passionate about empowering students to achieve their educational goals.

UTRGV President Guy Bailey expressed profound gratitude for the Vackars' long history of friendship and visionary support of the university that currently serves more than 30,000 students.

“Supporting the establishment of a college football program isn’t just about the game; it’s about investing in the future. By pouring into the lives of young people, through both education and athletics, we ensure they have the tools to succeed and a college experience that attracts new talent to our area and encourages residents to stay here. Retaining students in the Rio Grande Valley not only builds up our community but also fosters major growth and opportunity for generations to come.”

- Robert Vackar

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UTRGV Football hosted its inaugural national signing day celebration on February 7, during which the program announced its first 41 Vaqueros.

UTRGV’s first football class is made up of a total of 77 student-athletes.

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LICENSING APRIL 2023 UTRGV ATHLETICS AND 5X5 BREWING PARTNER TO CREATE LOS VAQUEROS BEER

OCTOBER 2023 UTRGV ATHLETICS AND TIO PELON’S PARTNER TO CREATE VAQUEROS ESPECIAL SALSA

OCTOBER 2023 TEXAS REGIONAL BANK LAUNCHES UTRGV DEBIT CARD

APRIL 2024 UTRGV ATHLETICS AND THE JANK PARTNER TO CREATE THE VAQUEROS SMOKED SERRANO BARBECUE SAUCE

Vaquero Outfitters, the first off-campus UTRGV gear store, opened in February. Vaquero Outfitters is located across from campus at 1518 W. University Drive in Edinburg.

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MEDIA REACH $365,513,858 ADVERTISING MEDIA EQUIVALENCY FROM EARNED MEDIA AND SOCIAL MEDIA

1,934,244 PAGE VIEWS

ON GOUTRGV.COM

TOTAL FOLLOWERS

TOTAL FOLLOWERS

TOTAL LIKES

58,127

58,952

62,107

18%

19%

25%

INCREASE

INCREASE

INCREASE

REACH: 253,428

IMPRESSIONS: 255,436 INTERACTIONS: 27,493 PLAYS: 353,290

REACH: 223,438

MINS. VIEWED: 59,819 INTERACTIONS: 3,801 PLAYS: 253,768

REACH: 113,490

IMPRESSIONS: 128,321 INTERACTIONS: 11,439 PLAYS: 172,386

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UTRGV JOINS THE SOUTHLAND CONFERENCE “Our acceptance into the Southland Conference is a testament to the growth and success UTRGV has experienced since we opened in 2015. On behalf of UTRGV, I would like to thank the Southland Conference and fellow university presidents for their unwavering support. As we embark on this new journey, we look forward to forging new rivalries and celebrating remarkable academic achievements, a reflection of our shared commitment to excellence both on and off the field. Together, we stand poised to elevate the standards of collegiate athletics while nurturing the academic aspirations of our student-athletes.”

DR. GUY BAILEY UTRGV PRESIDENT

“Our move to the Southland Conference marks a meaningful day as we look to bolster the studentathlete experience. There are many benefits that this move will bring to our student-athletes, fans, and alumni. The Southland Conference is positioned in a tight footprint between Texas and Louisiana.

This will allow our student-athletes to spend less time traveling cross-country and more time at home training, recovering, and preparing for competition and will significantly reduce missed class time.

With significantly reduced travel, there will be cost savings that allow our department to reinvest in the student-athlete experience in ways we haven’t been able to before.”

CHASSE CONQUE

UTRGV VICE PRESIDENT & DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS

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JULY 1, 2024

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NEW FACES KAHIL FENNELL

UTRGV HEAD MEN’S BASKETBALL COACH UTRGV Athletics announced the hiring of Kahil Fennell as the new head men’s basketball coach in April. Fennell spent the last two seasons as an assistant coach at BYU. Fennell helped lead BYU to 23 wins in 2023-24, their first season in the Big 12, including four wins over ranked teams. BYU made the NCAA Tournament this season after being ranked in 14 of 15 AP polls, which is the most for the Cougars since 2010-11, and the program ranked No. 16 in the KenPom rankings with the No. 9 ranked offense.

In his first season with BYU, Fennell helped lead the program to 19 wins and a spot in the West Coast Conference Tournament Championship Game. Throughout his tenure, Fennell was the player development and defensive coordinator while working with the wing position group.

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BETSY GRAHAM

UTRGV’S INAUGURAL HEAD SWIMMING & DIVING COACH UTRGV announced the hiring of Betsy Graham as the first head women’s swimming & diving coach in March. Graham has over 30 years of coaching experience and is no stranger to starting new programs, having done so at Catawba College in 2006.

Graham spent the last four years as the head men’s and women’s swimming & diving coach and aquatics director at the University of Texas Permian Basin (UTPB), where she helped take the men’s and women’s teams to new heights. Graham saw the women’s team break 11 program records and produce five All-Conference and 16 All-Academic swimmers and divers and guided the men’s team to the NCAA Division II National Championship Meet three times while breaking seven program records.

The inaugural UTRGV Swimming & Diving recruiting class has 16 student-athletes and the team is set to open their first season Oct. 12 in a home meet versus the University of the Incarnate Word. UTRGV Swimming & Diving will compete as an affiliate member of the Western Athletic Conference.

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McALLEN INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

THE OFFICIAL AIRPORT OF THE UTRGV VAQUEROS In September, a new partnership between UTRGV Athletics designated the McAllen International Airport as the official airport of the UTRGV Vaqueros.

As part of the partnership, the McAllen International Airport added new signage in strategic areas of the airport recognizing it as the official airport of the UTRGV Vaqueros. According to the McAllen International Airport website, more than 2.4 million people pass through the terminal annually.

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“This will be a new era for McAllen aviation. Partnering with a leader in higher education like UTRGV will allow us to provide more opportunities to students and expand our reach further into Texas and beyond.”

- Elizabeth Suarez

Former McAllen International Airport Director of Aviation and current President & CEO of the McAllen Chamber of Commerce

CORPORATE PARTNERS

FINANCIAL PL ANNING GROUP

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A private wealth advisory practice of Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC

A private wealth advisory practice of Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC

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UTRGV ATHLETICS

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UTRGV BASEBALL BEATS TEXAS On April 16, the UTRGV Baseball team scored in each of the first eight innings to beat the Texas Longhorns for the first time since 1971, 17-9 at UFCU Disch-Falk Field.

The win snapped a 48-game losing streak for UTRGV against Texas. The last time UTRGV beat Texas was in the 1971 NCAA District Championships, winning game one 1-0 and game two 4-0.

This is UTRGV’s second-ever true road win against Texas, and first since May 30, 1968, a 2-1, 10-inning victory in game two of the NCAA District Championships. UTRGV had lost 44-straight road games against Texas since then, including its first 39 games at UFCU Disch-Falk Field.

The 17 runs are the most ever scored by UTRGV against Texas.

The previous record was 12, set on May 27, 1973.

This is UTRGV’s largest-ever margin of victory over Texas, with the previous record being four on May 22, 1971.

This is UTRGV’s highest-scoring output since dropping 20 runs on Texas A&M-Corpus Christi on April 4, 2022 at UTRGV Baseball Stadium.

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UTRGV ATHLETICS

UTRGV ATHLETICS

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