UTRGV Announces Key Promotions in Athletic Department Leadership
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) is excited to announce key promotions within its Department of Intercollegiate Athletics, aimed at enhancing its operational efficiency and strategic outreach. On Tuesday, UTRGV promoted Sara Hernandez to Senior Associate Athletic Director for Marketing and Strategic Initiatives, Steven Kraus to Senior Associate Athletic Director for Sports Medicine, Julia Perez to Associate Athletic Director for Student-Athlete Success, and Derek Schramm to Senior Associate Athletic Director/Chief Revenue Officer.
Leadership Insights from UTRGV Athletic Director
Chasse Conque, the Senior Vice President and Director of Athletics at UTRGV, emphasized the significance of these promotions. “We are grateful for the continued commitment, leadership, and passion for excellence that these four administrators contribute to our department’s success,” he expressed. With a strong focus on service to the Rio Grande Valley, these leaders are paving the way for the future of UTRGV Athletics.
Promotion Highlights
Sara Hernandez: Elevating Marketing Efforts
Sara Hernandez has been promoted to Senior Associate Athletic Director for Marketing and Strategic Initiatives. A former track & field student-athlete at UTRGV, Hernandez began her journey in 2011 as a media relations graduate assistant. Over the years, she has climbed the ranks, focusing on marketing and promotions. Under her leadership, the marketing team launched the successful campaign "Our Valley. Our Team. Our Time," which won accolades from the American Advertising Federation-RGV.
Hernandez’s achievements include driving record attendance at UTRGV sporting events, with 82,258 fans attending baseball games in 2025 alone. She is deeply proud of her team’s dedication and anticipates future growth in marketing efforts across the Rio Grande Valley.
Steven Kraus: Enhancing Sports Medicine
Steven Kraus has been promoted to Senior Associate Athletic Director for Sports Medicine. After returning to UTRGV in 2020, he has significantly expanded the sports medicine department, increasing the number of full-time athletic trainers from five to nine. Kraus is also the primary athletic trainer for men’s basketball, women’s golf, and men’s tennis. His focus remains on providing the best quality healthcare to UTRGV student-athletes.
“I’m extremely grateful and honored to receive this promotion,” he remarked. Kraus is committed to maintaining a high standard of care for the student-athletes at UTRGV.
Julia Perez: Focus on Student-Athlete Success
Julia Perez has transitioned into her new role as Associate Athletic Director for Student-Athlete Success after serving in multiple capacities, including a compliance assistant and coordinator for student development. Her journey began as a women’s tennis student-athlete, where she won a conference championship.
Perez will lead initiatives related to student-athlete housing, financial aid, and life skills programming. She has been instrumental in the UTRGV Student-Athlete Advisory Committee winning the 2022 Division I Video Contest. Her achievements underscore her commitment to enhancing the student-athlete experience at UTRGV.
Derek Schramm: Driving Revenue Growth
Derek Schramm has stepped into the role of Senior Associate Athletic Director/Chief Revenue Officer. Since joining UTRGV in September 2023, Schramm has played a critical role in creating programs like the Vaqueros Loyalty Points program and the Vaqueros Athletic Fund. Within a short span, his initiatives have raised over $28 million, marking a remarkable achievement for the department.
Schramm oversees ticket sales and corporate sponsorships, contributing to record-breaking attendance at UTRGV sporting events, including more than 140,000 fans across all sports in the 2024-25 season.
Conclusion
These strategic promotions reflect UTRGV’s commitment to fostering an environment that elevates both athletic performance and student support. The leadership provided by Hernandez, Kraus, Perez, and Schramm will be vital in driving future growth and success at UTRGV. As they embark on these new responsibilities, their focus will remain on enhancing the experience for both student-athletes and fans alike.
For more information on UTRGV Athletics and its leadership, visit the official UTRGV Athletics website. Follow UTRGV on Twitter and Instagram for the latest updates and news.
