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RIO GRANDE VALLEY – The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) Department of Intercollegiate Athletics continues to #RallyTheValley in many ways, including bringing Western Athletic Conference (WAC) Championships and other significant events to cities across the region.
UTRGV has hosted six WAC Championship events in three cities since 2014. Those numbers will grow to at least nine championships in five cities by the spring of 2024. Pharr and Harlingen will join Brownsville, Edinburg and McAllen as cities to partner with the Vaqueros to host or co-host a WAC Championship-level event when the 2023 WAC Swimming & Diving Championships and 2024 WAC Men’s and Women’s Tennis Tournament, respectively, are competed.
“UTRGV remains committed to serving the entire Rio Grande Valley, and our athletics department is a great example of that,” UTRGV President Guy Bailey said. “To be able to host a WAC Championship in five different cities, from McAllen to Brownsville, is such an incredible accomplishment and demonstrates their goal of rallying the Valley.”
Additionally, the Vaqueros will be back at South Padre Island in December for the men’s basketball Battle on the Beach and women’s basketball South Padre Island Classic. UTRGV’s athletic teams consistently offer youth clinics in Brownsville and Harlingen in an ongoing effort to engage with fans all across the Valley.
“We have placed a clear emphasis on hosting athletic events across the Valley, and one of the best ways to #RallyTheValley is to hold high-profile events across the region so we can reach as many people as possible,” UTRGV Vice President and Director of Athletics Chasse Conque said. “Hosting WAC Championship-level events in Brownsville, Edinburg, Harlingen, McAllen and Pharr is a great way to not only expand our reach but thank the entire Valley for their tremendous support.”
Edinburg
UTRGV will host its seventh WAC championship event as the 2022 WAC Volleyball Tournament returns to the UTRGV Fieldhouse Nov. 17-19. The conference tournament will be the fourth championship event UTRGV brings to the city of Edinburg, along with the 2017 WAC Volleyball Tournament, and the 2017 and 2021 WAC Outdoor Track & Field Championships held at the UTRGV Soccer and Track & Field Complex.
The 2017 volleyball tournament drew over 3,200 fans over the course of three days. UTRGV played in the championship match in front of 1,634 fans, then a program record and now the third-largest crowd in program history. The 2022 tournament will feature UTRGV, Grand Canyon, Stephen F. Austin, UT Arlington, Utah Valley and three additional teams that will be determined this weekend.
“We are thrilled to host the Western Athletic Conference Volleyball Tournament alongside The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. Events like these give the city of Edinburg the opportunity to welcome attendees to our amazing city and highlight all that it has to offer,” Edinburg Mayor Ramiro Garza Jr. said. “The culture here is rich, and we have a great university right in our backyard that is up to par with the best across the state. We know that those visiting us will be able to enjoy our facilities, our restaurants and so much more. We look forward to seeing all of the talent from the eight teams competing and how they follow through for the championship.”
Pharr
UTRGV and the City of Pharr will co-host the 2023 WAC Swimming & Diving Championships at the City of Pharr Natatorium Feb. 22-25. This will be a historic event for both entities as they bring NCAA Division I swimming & diving to the Rio Grande Valley for the first time. The natatorium opened in January and features an Olympic-size, eight-lane, 50-meter swimming pool, and a separate diving pool that includes five platforms and four springboards, making it a premiere venue for a prestigious competition.
Competing institutions will include Air Force, California Baptist, Grand Canyon, Idaho, New Mexico State, Northern Arizona, Northern Colorado, Seattle U, UNLV, Utah Tech and Wyoming. With women’s swimming & diving coming to UTRGV in 2024, the hope is to have many more championship events at the City of Pharr Natatorium.
“The City of Pharr is proud to partner with UTRGV Athletics to host the 2023 WAC Swimming & Diving Championships,” Pharr Mayor Ambrosio Hernandez, M.D., said. “We are also proud of the historical significance of joining this partnership which will now welcome several WAC events throughout the Rio Grande Valley. This will attract new visitors to our region, bring new opportunities, and positively impact our communities. We are proud to work together to support UTRGV Athletics!”
Brownsville and Harlingen
UTRGV will host the 2024 WAC Men’s and Women’s Tennis Tournaments at the HEB Tennis Center at Pendleton Park in Harlingen. The facility recently underwent significant renovations, including getting all 14 courts resurfaced and having a pro shop, office and new restrooms built.
“The City of Harlingen is excited to host UTRGV and the 2024 Western Athletic Conference Men’s and Women’s Tennis Tournament at the HEB Tennis Center here in Harlingen,” Harlingen Mayor Norma Sepulveda said. “The city prides itself in the investments we have made at our parks and sports facilities and look forward to hosting the Western Athletic Conference.”
The 2024 event will be the fourth conference tennis tournament UTRGV has hosted in Cameron County. UTRGV hosted the 2016 and 2019 WAC Tennis Tournaments at the Brownsville Tennis Center and legacy institution UTPA hosted the Great West Conference Women’s Tennis Tournament at the HEB Tennis Center at Pendleton Park in 2012.
McAllen
UTRGV also hosted the 2014 WAC Cross Country Championships at Champion Lakes Golf Course in McAllen. UTRGV Golf has a consistent presence in McAllen as the men’s and women’s teams practice at Champion Lakes and the women’s team has hosted the UTRGV Invitational at the McAllen Country Club every year since 2016.
As part of $30 million in facilities enhancements, UTRGV Athletics is building a golf facility next to the driving range at Champion Lakes Golf Course that will include locker rooms, coaches’ offices and hitting bays.
“The City of McAllen is very proud of its partnership with UTRGV; it’s a winning team!” McAllen Mayor Javier Villalobos said. “To be able to host competitions of the Western Athletic Conference, a highly competitive and exciting conference for college athletics, is a win-win for our community and the student-athletes who compete for and represent their schools and communities. College is about being exposed to new and different experiences and to welcome the WAC student-athletes and their fans to McAllen means more visitors now and in the future who will get to know our great city.”
South Padre Island
Along with holding home basketball games at Bert Ogden Arena every season, including a historic men’s basketball doubleheader with Texas coming up on Nov. 21, the Vaqueros basketball programs are committed to competing on South Padre Island. The second Battle on the Beach pits the men’s team against Houston Christian on Dec. 18. The third South Padre Island Classic featuring UTRGV, Boise State, Bowling Green and Texas A&M-Commerce will bring four women’s basketball games to the South Padre Island Convention Centre Dec. 19-20. Over 2,300 fans have enjoyed a UTRGV basketball game at SPI.
“South Padre Island is very excited about our continued partnership with UTRGV,” SPI Mayor Patrick McNulty said. “Being able to host the men’s basketball Battle on the Beach and women’s basketball South Padre Island Classic are both great opportunities to showcase South Padre Island. We look forward to hosting the teams, their families and fans on South Padre Island, which has the best beach in Texas!”
Youth Clinics
In addition to competitions, the UTRGV programs also offer youth clinics and camps across the RGV and participate in community service and engagement events across the region. This fall semester alone, UTRGV’s soccer, baseball and tennis teams have held free youth clinics in Brownsville, Harlingen and Edinburg.
“We sincerely appreciate the events that UTRGV Athletics has hosted in our great city,” Brownsville Mayor Trey Mendez said. “These events serve to inspire our youth and motivate them to harness their athletic and academic talents and dream big. We look forward to future opportunities where we can showcase all the great things happening at UTRGV and in Brownsville.”
UTRGV Athletics has strived and will continue striving to bring major events to the entire Rio Grande Valley, impacting and benefitting all the places and people the Vaqueros proudly represent.
#RallyTheValley
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