Building a Solid Foundation: UTRGV Football Founders Society

By Dr. Kimberly Selber

By the time UTRGV kicks off its inaugural football season this fall, much of the heavy lifting has already happened—off the field, behind the scenes, and before a single player suited up. The story of UTRGV Football isn’t just about helmets and touchdowns. It’s about belief. And few believed earlier or more deeply than the members of the UTRGV Football Founders Society.

Born out of a bold 2021 student referendum, the Founders Society was the first signal to the world that UTRGV football wasn’t just a dream—it was a movement. “We made a commitment to our students that if they said yes, we believed the community would double down and support their decision,” said UTRGV Vice President and Director of Athletics Chasse Conque. “The Football Founders Society was the first visible proof of that commitment.”

The society launched shortly after the student vote passed, with members pledging $50,000 each to help seed the fledgling program. “It was a way for early believers to etch their name into history,” said Conque. That history is already on display— literally—at the Vaqueros Performance Center (VPC), where a permanent donor wall celebrates the individuals who invested not in a program that was already thriving, but in an idea.

Their names may be etched in bronze, but their impact is woven through every playbook, practice, and pre-game ritual. Before there was a coach, before there were cleats or uniforms or tailgates, there was a box—one literal box of documents and renderings that represented the entire “football program” at the time. “We used to joke it was football in a box,” said Conque. “And they believed in that box.”

The Founders got more than recognition—they got access. Private receptions with Coach Bush and staff. A sideline view of the first under-the-lights scrimmage. Travel opportunities with the team for the first five years. And they’ll always have a field-level seat—figuratively and literally—in what’s become a defining chapter for UTRGV.

But perhaps most telling is what many Founders did after their initial investment: they kept giving.

Bob and Janet Vackar, for example, were early members of the society—and their subsequent gift helped supercharge enhancements to Vackar Stadium. Other members went on to name rooms and facilities across UTRGV Athletics, from locker rooms and weight rooms to academic support centers and team lounges.

Conque is quick to point out that the society’s power wasn’t just in the dollar amounts, but in the momentum it created. “The Founders were our first domino. Then came the Regents’ approval. Then Coach Bush. And now? We’ve raised over $5.3 million this year through the Vaqueros Athletic Fund—an increase of more than 200% in donor numbers from five years ago.”

That support isn’t just financial—it’s visible. UTRGV athletics drew 147,000 fans this past year, a jump of nearly 100,000 over previous seasons. The baseball program ranked 34th nationally in attendance—above many Power Four schools. Volleyball, basketball, and even soccer have seen surges in attendance, thanks in part to the buzz surrounding football.

“We’ve seen a regional awakening,” said Conque. “Football brought people to the table, and now they’re staying for everything.”

The heart of the program beats strongest in its student-athletes. Over 400 currently enrolled Vaqueros boast a cumulative GPA of 3.35. The university’s Academic Progress Rate—a key NCAA metric—hit 993 out of a perfect 1000, a UTRGV record. In community service, the university ranked 16th nationwide among all D1 schools. “It’s not just about winning games,” said Conque. “It’s about graduating champions—on and off the field.”

UTRGV’s leadership put their money where their mission is. Top administrators, including Dr. Guy Bailey, Dr. Kelly Nassour, Dr. Magdalena Hinojosa, and Michael Mueller, weren’t just supporters—they were among the earliest Football Founders themselves. “You don’t see that everywhere,” said Conque. “They weren’t just saying the right things. They were also personally investing in the vision we share for UTRGV.”

With football as the anchor, the university has launched 13 capital projects in just over four years—totaling $180 million. Every sport on campus now has a new or renovated facility. Even the beloved Fieldhouse, dating back to 1969, has been transformed into a state-of-the-art venue while honoring its storied past. New locker rooms, an expanded atrium, digital Hall of Fame displays, and even a courtside Baseline Club are among the upgrades.

“There’s been a lot of construction, yes—but more importantly, there’s been reconstruction,” said Conque. “Of identity, of pride, of belief.”

The next chapter? A time capsule set to be opened in 2050, filled with memorabilia from this historic moment: signed referendum documents, game-day credentials, SOCIALIFE articles, and notes from the very people who made it all possible—the Founders.

By then, UTRGV football will be a fully realized force. But whether the program has racked up national playoff wins or championship banners, its origin story will always come back to this simple truth: when there was only a vision, 30 individuals saw something worth building.

And they kicked it off.

Ways to Get Involved

Vaqueros Athletic Fund: Support UTRGV Athletics at any level.

Champions Club: $25,000 over 5 years for behind-the-scenes access and special events.

Naming Opportunities: Leave a legacy on fields, training centers, or academic spaces.

Season Ticket Holder

Football Founders Society Members

• Lori & Guillermo Aguilar

• Debbie & Ernie Aliseda

• Val LaMantia & Dr. Guy Bailey

• Karen & Bob Boggus

• Orlando Castaneda

• Lisa & Chasse Conque

• Vicky & Dr. Javier De La Garza

Domain Development

• Diana & Gilbert Enriquez

• Dr. Maggie Hinojosa & Russell Williams

• Esperanza Homes

• Gail & Jack Ewing

• Alisa & Ben Gonzalez

• Rina & Jaime Gonzalez

• Dr. Victor Gonzalez

• Sally Fraustro Guerra

• Sharon Clark & Michael Mueller

Drs. Kelly & Herb Nassour

• Susie & David Oliveira

• Velma & Arturo Perez

• Cindy & Senovio Ramirez

• Sandra & Dr. Nolan Perez

• Rio Bank

• Cris & David Rivera

• RGV Partnership

• RGV Tours

• Viveca & Nick Serafy

• Strategic Insights Financial Planning Group

• Janet & Robert Vackar

• Kasey & Lalo Villareal