University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Athletics: Complete Sports Offerings

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) — formerly UT Pan American (merged 2015) — competes in NCAA Division I as the Vaqueros (men) and Vaqueras (women) in the Western Athletic Conference (WAC).

Men's Sports (8)

• Baseball
• Basketball
• Cross Country
• Football (FCS — starting 2025; previously no football)
• Golf
• Tennis
• Track & Field (Indoor + Outdoor)
• Soccer (added 2023)

Women's Sports (10)

• Basketball
• Cross Country
• Golf
• Soccer
• Softball
• Tennis
• Track & Field (Indoor + Outdoor)
• Volleyball
• Beach Volleyball (added 2023)
• Rifle (co-ed, NCAA championship sport)

Key Notes

• Name Change: "UT Pan American" → "UTRGV" (2015 merger with UT Brownsville)
• Mascot: Vaquero (Mexican cowboy) — replaces "Broncs" (UTPA legacy)
• Facilities: UTRGV Fieldhouse (basketball/volleyball), UTRGV Baseball Stadium, Soccer/Track Complex, Tennis Center
• Football Return: FCS program launching 2025 — first since 1950 (Pan American College era)
• Conference: WAC (transitioning to Southland 2024-25 for most sports)

Regional Context

UTRGV serves the Rio Grande Valley (1.4M pop., 90% Hispanic) — unique borderland culture reflected in fan base, recruitment, and community engagement. The Vaqueros identity embraces the region's bicultural heritage.