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THE ROBERT & JANET VACKAR STADIUM BRINGING TO LIFE

UNITED IN VISION

The launch of Vaqueros Football and the opening of the Robert & Janet Vackar Stadium mark a historic moment for UTRGV and the Valley. Beyond the excitement of game day, this moment represents the many years of planning and combined effort that brought it to life.

I am especially proud of our Campus Operations team and incredibly grateful to the many colleagues and partners who poured their energy and talent behind the scenes to make this vision a reality. It has been a privilege to witness their drive, dedication, and collaboration throughout this journey.

This milestone is more than the opening of a stadium. It is a reflection of who we are as a university and what we can accomplish together for our students and our community.

Strong Division I athletics takes a village, and the journey to start Division I college football in the Rio Grande Valley is storybook in that regard.

When the UTRGV student body voted in 2021 to enhance student life and start a college football program, the UTRGV community and the Valley at-large came together to do something special. From our students to our faculty, staff, alumni, and supporters across the entire Valley, this movement has led to a moment in time that will forever change our region for the better for decades and beyond.

There is so much excitement surrounding our university and the Vaqueros. Through strong campus partnerships and unprecedented support from the community, projects like Robert & Janet Vackar Stadium are just one example of true teamwork.

Vackar Stadium signifies vision, growth, generosity, and true dedication by so many. We look forward to celebrating this major achievement with the Valley and showcasing the country’s newest Division I football program!

THE ROAD TO

Student Referendum & Board of Regents

Approval

Construction Begins

Stadium

Acquisition

Board of Regents Begins 5ft & changed

Flooding struck Stadium

Field dropped 5ft & changed from grass to turf

Demolition locker and suites

KICKOFF

Structural Support - switch from Limestone to Cement Stabilization

Demolition of locker rooms suites

2000 Seats Added, Video & Ribbon Board Added

Acquisition of additional parking lots

UT RGV

World’s First UTRGV Vaquero Football Game !

Finalized locker room and expansion of press box

ROBERT AND JANET VACKAR STADIUM

A $43,000,000 investment into the future of the Rio Grande Valley, The Robert & Janet Vackar Stadium represents 10s of thousands of voices that came together to “Rally The Valley” and establish an inaugural Football program at UTRGV. This stadium will seat around 12,000 fans, but have the capacity to reach millions thanks to ESPN and NCAA Division I Football League. Every inch of this 96,000 ft² project has been meticulously walked, assessed, built, and renovated by the UTRGV Campus Operations team and their partners, with their voices and work being etched in the history and future of the Rio Grande Valley.

BY THE NUMBERS

Synthetic Grass

A mix of rubber pellets + 2,000 lbs of sand & Coolplay System

Coarse Aggregate Stone Base

Geomat Fabric Layer for longevity and waterprooﬁng

$1.4 mil in new furniture 2,000 additional student seats added

Subgrade LayerSwitched from lime to cement stabilization

“THE STATS TELL YOU WHAT WE BUILT. THE ROAR WILL TELL YOU WHY.”

PLANNING AND CONSTRUCTION

The Vackar Stadium project presented extraordinary demands for meticulous oversight and coordination

Meeting these requirements meant countless long nights, weekend hours, and unwavering dedication from the UTRGV Planning & Construction team and their partners, a testament to their rigorous commitment to excellence.

It all began with detailed “forensics investigations” of the existing stadium. The team carefully assessed the structure to identify upgrades needed to meet life safety standards and building codes. From there, they built on that foundation to deliver a modern, fan-focused experience.

Renovating an existing facility brought unique challenges, especially when integrating new infrastructure with older systems. The team navigated these complexities with precision, ensuring every upgrade was seamless and future ready.

Technology played a major role. The team collaborated with AVIT Consultants to install advanced broadcasting infrastructure that met ESPN’s strict standards. This included more than cameras, it required flawless internal communication systems connecting athletes, coaches, and press box staff.

Even after opening day, the Planning & Construction team remains actively involved. They anticipate a “season of learning,” staying on-site to observe, adjust, and fine-tune operations to ensure

The best possible experience for every Vaquero fan.

Their work is foundational, transforming vision into reality and ensuring Vackar Stadium stands as a lasting legacy for UTRGV and the Rio Grande Valley!

STRATEGIC SPACE PLANNING

MAPPING EVERY INCH FOR GAME-DAY EXCELLENCE

While the stadium lights blaze and the turf begins to shake, another kind of brilliance hums quietly beneath the surface,

One measured not in touchdowns, but in square footage.

The UTRGV Space Management Office, equipped with digital models and decades of institutional knowledge, played a pivotal role in transforming a soccer venue into a football-ready fortress.

Their sideline strategy? To ensure every inch of space was accounted for, optimized, and ready for game day. From integrating architectural floor plans into the Facility Management System (FMS) to assigning room numbers and signage, their work was the invisible scaffolding that supported every locker room, coach’s office, and concession stand.

They didn’t just track space, They gave it purpose.

The Space Management team modeled, measured, and mapped the stadium into a living, breathing part of the university’s infrastructure. Their work ensures that when a freshman walks into Vackar Stadium for the first time, they won’t get lost, not just because of the 124 rooms with brail signage, but because the space itself has been thoughtfully designed to serve them.

124 Rooms • 39 Luxury Suites

UTRGV CAMPUS POLICE

The UTRGV Police Department was among the first to step onto the scene, laying the foundation for a secure environment from the ground up. Their involvement spanned multiple years, beginning with early collaboration alongside architects and contractors.

By embedding safety considerations directly into the stadium’s design, the department ensured that security wasn’t an afterthought, it was part of the blueprint.

To deliver the best, you have to learn from the best.

They visited several institutions to witness their football operations firsthand. Their mission was to observe, learn, and bring back the best practices in crowd control, traffic planning, and law enforcement operations.

They collaborated with the City of Edinburg Police Department and emergency management partners, while working hand in hand with construction teams to strategically install physical security measures including surveillance cameras, patrol routes, and access controls, allowing them to keep close eye over the entire venue.

The spirit of Vackar Stadium is one of community, and the UTRGV Police Department is here to attest to that. You’ll find them out in the open, engaging alongside the crowd and greeting fans, because their mission to protect and serve is one they wear with pride.

CAMPUS AUXILIARY SERVICES

Food & Concessions

leave you hungry for more! Behind this incredible atmosphere, Campus Auxiliary Services, along with its partners, have poured in unseen efforts and planning to make your game day experience incredible.

Important things first: the food! Campus Auxiliary Services have been diligently working to transform the concessions stands and Scoreboard Bar at the Vackar Stadium for all to enjoy, but just in case you need some extra fuel to continue cheering on your mighty Vaqueros, here are some familiar favorites that’ll keep you satisfied:

Wing Barn, Bringing the Heat from Kickoff to Crunch Time

Schlotzsky’s, Stackin’ Sandwiches Like First Downs

UTRGV’s Dining Services is taking the lead to ensure a top-notch food and beverage experience for fans and upscale food offerings for suite owners, bringing a worry-free and full belly zone for every game.

UTRGV Team Store

Show your Vaquero pride at the new Team Store at Vaqueros Stadium! Browse the latest UTRGV gear, spirit wear, and game-day essentials, all in one convenient location.

Transportation

Getting to the game and finding a place to park should be stress-free. Parking and Transportation Services (PTS) worked tirelessly to plan a seamless, no-hassle travel experience from home to stadium. Working closely with University partners, City of Edinburg, TxDOT, charter bus operators, rideshare companies, and other agencies, PTS created strategic plans to effectively manage travel demand and enhance every fan’s mobility options

Every detail of the food, beverage, parking, transportation, fan merchandise, and the luxury suite experience for this stadium is being executed and delivered by Campus Auxiliary Services and their partners, Chartwells, Pepsi, and BibliU.

ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH, SAFETY AND RISK MANAGEMENT

Amid the electric energy of Vackar Stadium, a dedicated team works quietly behind the scenes to ensure every game day runs safely and smoothly.

UTRGV’s Environmental Health, Safety, and Risk Management (EHSRM) team has been involved from the very beginning, long before the first piece of turf was laid.

The mission? Making sure everything goes perfectly, so that as spectators, you will

Throughout construction, EHSRM was on-site to ensure that university employees, VIPs, coaches, and recruits could safely tour the stadium with proper protective equipment. From the earliest design phases, they helped shape a safe environment by:

Conducting late-night inspections to identify dark areas or faulty lighting, especially important for ESPN broadcast standards

Addressing fire alarm issues caused by dust and stormwater runoff, while supporting sustainability efforts

Ensuring all emergency exits were up to code, including ADA-compliant routes

Inspecting fire extinguishers and kitchen fire suppression systems to ensure full functionality

Their work extended beyond the stadium’s walls, touching every aspect of safety and risk management.

So, as you enjoy the roar of the crowd and the thrill of the game, take a moment to appreciate part of the team that made it all possible, quietly, carefully, and with unwavering dedication.

Campus Facilities Operations

supporting systems would function and be experienced. From upgrading lighting fixtures to repairing aging air conditioning units, UTRGV’s Campus Facilities Operations (CFO) team played a vital role in every phase of renovation, ensuring smooth coordination with project partners and delivering a game-ready facility.

Truly scoring a touchdown for the team behind the scenes.

While construction crews focused on major upgrades like the field and locker rooms, CFO handled everything else: grounds, lighting, painting, roof repairs, and public restrooms.

Campus Facilities poured thousands of overtime hours into making this stadium a reality.

Their work required resilience and attention to detail, from revitalizing landscaping and addressing safety hazards like emergency lighting to investing in sustainability by replacing paper towel dispensers with energy-efficient hand dryers.

Even on game day, CFO continues to coordinate with contractors to manage the stadium’s extensive operational and custodial needs. Their behind-the-scenes efforts ensure fans enjoy a seamless experience from the moment they arrive.

To help prepare the stadium for its debut, students, staff, and community volunteers joined forces, grabbing shovels and refreshing the landscape to give the venue a championship-worthy finish.

Emergency management

READY BEFORE SHOW-TIME

When the stands are full and the lights go up, your safety has already been carefully planned. Behind the scenes, the UTRGV Emergency Management team works to ensure every moment at Vackar Stadium is secure and seamless.

This effort began long before kickoff, factoring in everything from venue selection and crowd size to tailgating, community viewing, and remote watch parties at the UTRGV Student Unions. Their partners include:

Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service (TEEX)

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

Department of Homeland Security (DHS)

National Center Spectator Sports Safety and Security (NCS4)

Monthly training sessions covered crowd dynamics, emergency response, and event operations to ensure readiness for any scenario.

In the event of an emergency, no two situations are the same. That’s why drills, scenario planning, and real-time debriefings are essential. These efforts help transform potential chaos into calm, ensuring that everyone involved is prepared to respond with clarity and confidence.

“All is taken into account when there’s a giant curtain behind every event.”

So, while you enjoy the game, know that a dedicated team is working behind the scenes; ready, responsive, and always one step ahead.

REAL ESTATE

TRANSFORMING A VISION INTO A VENUE

One of the first victories of game day was championed by The UTRGV Real Estate Office and their partners. The Real Estate team played a pivotal role in securing the Robert & Janet Vackar Stadium.

Like a quarterback calling plays from the pocket, they navigated the legal scrimmage.

They coordinated with the UT System's Real Estate Ofﬁce, the City of Edinburg, and title companies to secure the stadium's acquisition.

Their work, led by UTRGV and UT System leadership, was foundational. From securing Board of Regents approval and project funding, to managing closing logistics with Edwards Abstract and Title Company, real estate's diligence ensured the stadium's transition from a soccer facility to a football-ready arena.

When the final signature dried, their job didn't end, they pivoted to tackle the next challenge: parking. With crowds expected to exceed 12,000, they began assessing and working to acquire adjacent land and collaborating on transportation strategies to ensure game day readiness.

A SUSTAINABLE IMPACT

WHAT VACKAR MEANS FOR THE NEXT 50 YEARS

If you’ve driven south on I-69C through Edinburg, you’ve likely seen the bold orange billboard at Exit 5 declaring, “Home of Vaqueros Football”.

The inaugural game day will expand sporting traditions for our regional community. The Robert and Janet Vackar Stadium is also proving to be the home of innovation and community.

The multi-level partnership of local experts, some even family of UTRGV students and regional community, have “repaired, upgraded or renovated” almost every square foot of this complex.

This capital investment into Edinburg’s growth and resilience would not have been possible without a workforce committed to its operations timeline. Their strength and devotion is a legacy to those who will work, play, and grow up around this stadium.

Within a five-mile radius of the complex, there are dozens of schools and small businesses. The children who are growing up in this region will inherit these buildings not as monuments, but rather abundant opportunities to foster skills and gain knowledge. As they transcend through their formative years, this beautiful, blazing orange colosseum will stand as a reminder of their university’s mission to facilitate community and economic growth.

Ten, twenty, even fifty years from now, Vackar stadium will not only host football, but cherished moments.

But beyond its sold-out games, this space has the opportunity to invite valiant community engagement; residents and local business owners will have the opportunity to partner with UTRGV as we shape our region’s economic development plan.