Issuu

LETTER FROM THE AD

CHASSE CONQUE

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

As you read this report, you will learn more about our historic success in competition, in the classroom, and in the community. The 2025-26 season was without a doubt, the Year of the Vaqueros.

In competition, the Vaqueros won a department record four team Southland Conference Championships, including volleyball, women’s indoor track & field, and women’s and men’s golf, and the South Texas Showdown, presented by Rally Credit Union, Championship. The basketball teams combined for a department record 40 wins, with the women winning a program record 21 games en route to the second round of the WNIT, and the men winning 19 games, and posting back-to-back winning seasons for the first time since 1988-90.

We made history together on August 30, 2025, as 12,726 fans packed Robert & Janet Vackar Stadium to root on the Valley’s first Division I college football team. UTRGV had the winningest season of any inaugural FCS team ever, finishing 9-3 while creating a total economic impact of $144.3 million on the local economy.

Our student-athletes rallied the Valley in a meaningful way, ranking 10th in NCAA Division I with 5,385 hours of community service across 2,950 commitments for a total economic impact of $194,701.

We ended 2025-26 with more than 10,300 season ticket holders across the ticketed sports of baseball, men’s and women’s basketball, football, and volleyball, plus a football season ticket waiting that has surpassed 15,000 ticket requests. This past year, UTRGV drew over 228,000 fans across all sports, leading the Southland Conference while shattering all previous attendance records set by the department over the past several years. Additionally, UTRGV ranked fifth out of 128 Division I FCS institutions in total department attendance across ticketed sports.

In the classroom, the Vaqueros raised their cumulative grade point average to 3.37, the highest it has been since the spring of 2020. For the 2025-26 academic year, UTRGV student-athletes combined to post a 3.31 GPA.

We also completed three more capital projects, with the opening of our football team’s homes, Robert & Janet Vackar Stadium and the Vaqueros Performance Center, and the UTRGV Fieldhouse Atrium.

As you review this report, I hope you are as impressed as I am with the success of UTRGV Athletics and the way our success is enhancing the brand and identity of our region.

Thank you for your loyal and continued support. You are critical to helping us #RallyTheValley!

V’s Up!

Chasse S. Conque Senior Vice President & Director of Athletics

“UTRGV has quickly become one of the premier success stories in the Southland Conference. President Guy Bailey’s vision, Chasse Conque’s nationally recognized leadership as NACDA’s FCS Athletic Director of the Year, and the unwavering support and commitment of the athletics department and every corner of campus have produced championships, raised expectations and established the Vaqueros as a force to be reckoned with across the Southland.

One statistic I learned recently really puts it all into perspective: in just seven years, support for UTRGV Athletics has grown by more than 450 percent. That doesn’t happen by accident. It happens because an entire university and an entire community choose to believe in a shared vision. To every donor, season ticket holder, corporate partner and fan across the Valley, thank you. As Commissioner, I’m grateful for the way you’ve embraced not only the Vaqueros, but every Southland student-athlete, coach and institution that has the privilege of competing in your community. Your passion, generosity and hospitality have become part of the Southland experience, and our conference is stronger because of it.”

Chris Grant

SOUTHLAND CONFERENCE COMMISSIONER

RECORD BREAKING YEAR FOR OUR ACADEMICS TEAM

DEPARTMENT

986 APR PROGRAMS WITH PERFECT 1,000 APR

VOLLEYBALL

MEN’S CROSS COUNTRY

WOMEN’S CROSS COUNTRY

MEN’S TENNIS

WOMEN’S TENNIS

MEN’S SOCCER

WOMEN’S SOCCER

MEN’S GOLF

WOMEN’S GOLF

2,950

UTRGV FIELDHOUSE ATRIUM

UTRGV Athletics unveiled the new atrium and Lew Hill Memorial Plaza at the UTRGV Fieldhouse in October.

The atrium stands 27 feet high and provides 13,000 square feet of additional space for the UTRGV Fieldhouse.

The atrium includes a new entrance for fans attending basketball and volleyball games through the Lew Hill Memorial Plaza. The atrium features a new box office, team store, concession stand, Hall of Fame and Hall of Honor area, and restrooms. Fans also have the opportunity to enjoy a new, unique way to watch the games from the baseline club.

Hill, who passed away on Feb. 7, 2021 at the age of 55, was the head men’s basketball coach at UTRGV for five seasons, making five-win improvements in each of his first three years, culminating with a 20-win 2018-19 season that saw the Vaqueros win an NCAA Division I postseason game for the first time while hosting two rounds of the CIT. For his efforts, Hill was a finalist for the 2019 Ben Jobe Award, presented annually to the top minority coach in Division I men’s basketball.

VAQUEROS PERFORMANCE CENTER

The $45 million Vaqueros Performance Center represents one of the largest investments in UTRGV Athletics history and serves as the centerpiece of nearly $200 million in capital improvements across 13 athletic projects. The 45,000-square-foot facility provides football and multiple athletic programs with state-of-the-art spaces for strength and conditioning, sports medicine, academics, nutrition and team development. Together with Robert & Janet Vackar Stadium, the Vaqueros Performance Center provides student-athletes with worldclass resources while strengthening recruiting and supporting long-term competitive success.

ROBERT & JANET VACKAR STADIUM

The opening of Robert & Janet Vackar Stadium marked a defining milestone for UTRGV Athletics as we welcomed the inaugural season of Vaqueros Football. Following extensive renovations, the stadium debuted with expanded seating, enhanced premium amenities, improved accessibility, renovated field-level suites and patios, and a new synthetic turf field designed to support year-round use.

“Saturday nights in the Rio Grande Valley will never be the same.”

The excitement surrounding our first season was evident from the opening kickoff. A crowd of 12,726 fans filled Robert & Janet Vackar Stadium for our inaugural game, while an estimated 20,000 fans gathered throughout the stadium and surrounding tailgating areas to be part of the historic moment. The Vaqueros celebrated the occasion with a 66-0 victory over Sul Ross State, launching a new tradition for the university and the Rio Grande Valley.

ECONOMIC IMPACT

VAQUEROS FOOTBALL GENERATED LASTING ECONOMIC IMPACT THROUGHOUT THE RGV

An economic impact analysis by the UTRGV Data and Information Services Center found that the launch of Vaqueros Football generated $144.3 million in total economic impact through construction, program operations, and visitor spending.

The inaugural season supported 1,028 jobs, generated $41.1 million in labor income, and contributed $58.7 million in regional GDP. Beyond the initial investment, football continues to serve as an economic driver, generating an estimated $17.7 million in recurring annual economic impact for the Rio Grande Valley while welcoming more than 104,000 people to Robert & Janet Vackar Stadium during the 2025 season.

DRIVING THE VALLEY’S ECONOMY

11th IN NCAA DIVISION I FCS TOTAL ATTENDANCE 15th IN AVERAGE ATTENDANCE

CAPITAL INVESTMENT

ROBERT & JANET VACKAR STADIUM & VAQUEROS PERFORMANCE CENTER

12,539 AVERAGE FANS/GAME $82.6M INVESTMENT

GAME DAY BY THE NUMBERS

104,474 PEOPLE ON STADIUM GROUNDS

87,774 GAME ATTENDANCE

16,700 TAILGATE & FESTIVITY ATTENDEES

3,850 VISITORS FROM OUTSIDE THE VALLEY

228,069

87,774

13,391

UTRGV ATHLETICS DIGITAL ECOSYSTEM *May 2025 to June 2026

13 SPORT ACCOUNTS PER PLATFORM + MAIN ACCOUNT

FOLLOWERS ACROSS ALL ACCOUNTS 103,300 149,047 81,047 TOTAL 577,891

ALL EYES ON THE VALLEY

A HISTORIC ESPNU BROADCAST PUT UTRGV BASEBALL ON THE NATIONAL STAGE.

UTRGV Baseball reached a national audience on April 17, 2026 when ESPNU televised the first home event on a linear national network in department history. The historic broadcast also marked the first Southland Conference baseball game ever carried on national television.

In front of a sellout crowd of 6,473 at UTRGV Baseball Stadium, the Vaqueros rallied for an 8-6 victory over Southeastern Louisiana, showcasing the excitement of Vaqueros Baseball to millions of viewers nationwide.

PRIMETIME TELEVISED GAME

SELLOUT CROWD OF 6,473

FIRST UTRGV HOME EVENT ON NATIONAL TV

CHAMPIONSHIP SEASON

FOUR CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIPS CAPPED A HISTORIC YEAR FOR THE VAQUEROS.

VOLLEYBALL

After welcoming nine new players, UTRGV Volleyball came together to produce one of the most successful seasons in program history. The Vaqueros finished 22-8 overall and 15-1 in Southland Conference play, capturing the program’s fourth conference championship in dominant fashion. UTRGV won a programrecord 16 consecutive matches, drew record crowds to the UTRGV Fieldhouse, and earned 10 All-Southland Conference honors, the most in the league for the second straight year.

WOMEN’S

INDOOR TRACK & FIELD

UTRGV Women’s Track & Field captured the program’s first Southland Conference Indoor Championship, totaling 128 points to claim the team title in dominant fashion. The championship was powered by remarkable depth, as the Vaqueros earned 19 personal bests and 23 program record-book performances during the meet. Head coach Shareese Hicks was named Southland Conference Women’s Indoor Coach of the Year, while N Vanee Anchike earned Women’s Indoor Newcomer of the Year honors. Senior Nayla Harris successfully defended her conference title in the 60 meters before concluding her historic season as a First Team All-American, finishing fifth at the NCAA Indoor Championships. Harris became the first women’s 60-meter dash First Team All-American in Southland Conference history, capping one of the greatest seasons in program history.

13,391

128

WOMEN’S GOLF

After coming up just short at the Islander Collegiate Invitational, UTRGV Women’s Golf used the experience as motivation for a historic spring. The Vaqueros captured the program’s first Southland Conference championship with a remarkable comeback, overcoming an eight-shot deficit after the opening round and winning the title by a single stroke. UTRGV closed the tournament with back-to-back even-par rounds, highlighted by an incredible finish that saw the team play its final five holes eight-under par. The championship earned the Vaqueros their first NCAA Regional appearance in program history and capped a season defined by resilience, consistency and belief. Miriam Barcalova was named Southland Conference Newcomer of the Year and first team all-conference, while Natalia Rodriguez earned second team all-conference honors.

MEN’S GOLF

A young UTRGV lineup developed into one of the nation’s top mid-major programs, capturing the program’s first Southland Conference Championship and earning its first NCAA Regional berth. After opening the spring with a victory at the Compadres Collegiate, the Vaqueros steadily built confidence through one of the region’s toughest schedules before rallying from an early deficit to claim the conference title by one stroke. UTRGV advanced to the NCAA Bryan Regional, where freshman Jorge Martin Sampedro continued his remarkable season by becoming the program’s first NCAA Championships qualifier since 1978. Sampedro was named Southland Conference Golfer of the Year, Freshman of the Year, and First Team All-Conference, while Rodolphe Cicala earned first team honors and Gabriel Dulon Villoslada was named second team all-conference.

CHAMPIONSHIP APPEARANCE SINCE 1978 COMPADRES COLLEGIATE CHAMPIONS FIRST NCAA REGIONAL APPEARANCE FIRST CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP IN PROGRAM HISTORY

CHAMPIONSHIP IN PROGRAM HISTORY

COACHES OF THE YEAR

SHAREESE HICKS WOMEN’S INDOOR TRACK & FIELD

TODD LOWERY VOLLEYBALL

HOUSTON MOORE MEN’S GOLF

SOUTHLAND CONFERENCE COMMISSIONER’S CUP

1. Stephen F. Austin

2. UTRGV

3. UIW

4. Texas A&M-Corpus Christi

5. Lamar

6. McNeese

7. Northwestern State

8. Southeastern

9. HCU

10. East Texas A&M

11. Nicholls

12. New Orleans

RALLY THE VALLEY

THE VAQUEROS CONTINUE CONNECTING THROUGH EVENTS ACROSS THE LOWER VALLEY

AUGUST 2025

Men’s soccer exhibition match vs. Texas A&M International at Veterans Memorial High School, Brownsville

DECEMBER 2025

Free Track & Field Youth Camp Sams Memorial Stadium, Brownsville

JUNE 2025

Volleyball week long camp Pace High School, Brownsville

NOVEMBER 2025

Men’s & Women’s Golf Clinic River Bend Golf Course, Brownsville

JANUARY 2026

Men’s tennis matches vs. Arkansas and Rice

HEB Tennis Center, Harlingen

JANUARY 2026

Free Tennis Youth Clinic

H-E-B Tennis Center, Harlingen

APRIL 2026

Football Spring Game

Sams Memorial Stadium, Brownsville

EIGHT HOME GAMES IN SIX DAYS LAUNCHED A NEW SPRING TRADITION FOR THE VAQUEROS.

What began as a reimagined spring tradition quickly became one of the most memorable weeks of the year. #RallyTheValley Week, presented by McAllen International Airport featured eight home games across basketball and baseball in just six days, transforming campuses and venues into a celebration of Vaquero pride. Fans embraced themed promotions, the #RallyTheValley Passport, community events and unforgettable game-day experiences, while UTRGV Athletics staff coordinated one of the department’s largest collaborative efforts of the year. The Valley responded in record fashion, with more than 25,000 fans attending events throughout the week and baseball setting multiple attendance records. On the field, in the stands and across digital platforms, #RallyTheValley Week showcased the growing excitement surrounding UTRGV Athletics and established a signature spring tradition for years to come.

BUILDING MOMENTUM

SUCCESS ON THE FIELD AND COURT LAID THE FOUNDATION FOR A BRIGHTER FUTURE.

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL MEN’S BASKETBALL BASEBALL

UTRGV Women’s Basketball completed the winningest season in program history, finishing 21-14 and returning to postseason play for the first time in seven years. UTRGV surged through Southland Conference play, setting a program record with 16 conference victories and earning a No. 4 seed in the conference tournament. The historic season culminated with the program’s first postseason road victory in the WNIT and featured 19 team records.

• 21 wins: most in program history.

• Program record 16 conference wins.

• First-ever 20-win season.

• Seven straight conference wins.

UTRGV Men’s Basketball continued its rise as one of the Southland Conference’s top programs, earning the No. 3 seed in the Southland Conference Tournament and reaching a program-best No. 115 in the KenPom rankings. An eight-game conference winning streak highlighted the season, and UTRGV advanced to the tournament semifinals, where the Vaqueros pushed eventual champion McNeese to the conference’s first-ever tripleovertime game.

• 19 wins and tied for most regular season wins (19) since 2002.

• Program record 14 conference wins.

UTRGV Baseball continued its rise as one of the nation’s premier mid-major programs by embracing one of the toughest schedules in the country and delivering signature victories throughout the season. The Vaqueros defeated Big 12 opponents Kansas and Houston before earning the program’s first-ever win over No. 6 Oregon State, finishing third in the Southland Conference while recording a second consecutive Top 100 RPI season.

• Top 100 RPI for the second straight season.

UTRGV named Brandon Chambers head men’s basketball coach, bringing nine consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances and championship experience to lead the program’s next chapter.

First SGA meeting to share a new vision for UTRGV Athletics.

Fall 2022

UTRGV Foundation allocates $1 million to support football, women’s swimming & diving, band and spirit.

UTRGV Football Founders Society is established. This group of early donors aided in the initial investment for the launch of the UTRGV Football program.

2021 2022

UTRGV students voted in support of the expansion of UTRGV Athletics, paving the way to launch football, women’s swimming & diving, marching band and expanded spirit program.

UTRGV enrollment surpassed 30,000 students for the first time, reaching 32,174.

April 26, 2022

UTRGV Baseball welcomed No. 6 Texas to the Valley for the first time in 51 years, drawing a program-record crowd of 6,418 fans.

January 29, 2022

The opening of the City of Pharr-PSJA Natatorium established the future home of UTRGV Swimming & Diving.

April

May 2023

UTRGV Athletics set a new department attendance record during the 2022-23 season, welcoming more than 120,000 fans across all sports.

UTRGV Men’s Basketball host Texas Longhorns at Bert Ogden Arena in Edinburg for a doubleheader crowd of 8,029.

November 18, 2022

Following UT System Board of Regents approval, UTRGV Athletics officially accounces Division I football program, women’s swimming & diving, marching band, and spirit program expansion.

UTRGV Athletics unveiled master facilities plan to transform all athletic facilities to elevate the student-athlete and fan experience.

UTRGV Athletics and 5x5 Brewing Co. introduce Los

September 18, 2023

A landmark partnership declared McAllen International Airport the official airport of the Vaqueros and the department’s first pillar sponsor.

December 15, 2022

Travis Bush was introduced as the first head football coach in UTRGV history, ushering in the next phase of program development.

January 2024

UTRGV completed $10 million in enhancements to the Soccer and Track & Field Complex.

December 20, 2023

UTRGV Women’s Basketball hosted Texas before a record crowd of 6,591 fans at Bert Ogden Arena in Edinburg.

September 2023

UTRGV opened its new Fieldhouse Strength & Conditioning Facility to enhance training opportunities for student-athletes and renovated athletic administration offices.

February 22, 2024

February 28,

UTRGV acquired H-E-B establishing the future of

February 7, 2024

The future of UTRGV Football took shape as 41 student-athletes joined the program’s first signing class.

UTRGV Athletics and the City of McAllen opened the $3.5 million Vaqueros Golf Center at Champion Lakes Golf Course.

Vaqueros Football.

UTRGV named Vackar Stadium of their transformational and a landmark to

UTRGV Baseball secured its first team championship as a member of the Southland Conference.

2025

The opening of the 45,000-square-foot, $45 million Vaqueros Performance Center marked a new era for UTRGV Athletics.

A sold-out crowd of 12,726 fans witnessed the first game in UTRGV Football history. The Vaqueros defeated Sul Ross State 66-0.

Enrollment reached new heights with more than 35,000 students and over 7,000 freshmen.

OCTOBER 2024

Coffee x UTRGV

A partnership with Reserva Coffee launches Vaqueros Roast.

In just its second year in the Southland Conference, UTRGV Volleyball captured a share of the conference championship.

A historic season saw both basketball programs earning 40 wins combined, marking the most succesful season in school history.

UTRGV Women’s Track & Field claimed the program’s first Southland Indoor Championship.

2026

UTRGV Women’s Basketball hosts No. 2 ranked Texas Longhorns in Edinburg at Bert Ogden Arena in front of 5,984 fans.

UTRGV celebrates the grand opening of the new Fieldhouse Atrium and Lew Hill Memorial Plaza, capping of $35 million in renovations to the UTRGV Fieldhouse.

APRIL 2025

Jank

A historic season culminated in UTRGV Women’s Golf’s first NCAA Regional appearance.

A historic performance earned UTRGV Men’s Golf its first Southland Conference Championship.

UTRGV Women’s Golf captured the Southland Conference Championship in dramatic fashion.

Nayla Harris became a First Team All-American in the 60-meter dash at the NCAA Indoor Championships.

The Jank helped bring Vaqueros spirit to the table with the creation of an official branded barbecue sauce.

UTRGV Men’s Golf made its first NCAA Championship appearance, with Jorge Martin Sampedro advancing to nationals.

The Vaqueros hit the national stage as 6,473 fans packed the ballpark for the programs first-ever home event broadcasted nationally on ESPNU.

UTRGV celebrates nearly $37M in revenue generated since 2022.

AUGUST 2025

Light launches limited-edition UTRGV Vaqueros packaging.