Victory the Vaquero is the official UTRGV mascot and a protected institutional asset. Whether represented through official artwork, photography, video, or the live costume, Victory must always be used to promote school spirit, campus pride, and positive student engagement.
Core brand protections
To maintain a unified institutional identity, Victory the Vaquero must never be altered or modified in any way. No individual college, school, department, program, or university unit is authorized to create, adopt, or use another character, animal, or figure as an official, unofficial, or de facto mascot.
Authorized Spirit and Promotional Messaging
The mascot is reserved exclusively for university-approved purposes that elevate the campus experience. This includes positive university initiatives such as:
- Athletics and spirit campaigns
- Student life and campus engagement
- Recruitment and admissions
- Official university celebrations and events
- Spirit Store promotions
- Homecoming, commencement, and other celebratory initiatives
Examples of proper alignment:
Inviting students to attend athletic events, celebrating university achievements, promoting a new Spirit Store item, or encouraging participation in campus traditions.
Prohibited Administrative and Punitive Communications
Victory the Vaquero represents the welcoming, energetic spirit of our student body. Therefore, the mascot must never be used in ways that communicate enforcement, administrative authority, financial obligations, or disciplinary actions. This includes—but is not limited to—payment reminders, billing notices, parking citations, fines, compliance notices, academic warnings, or conduct violations. Using the mascot in these contexts creates a negative, punitive association that harms the brand's reputation.
Visual & Graphic Standards
When utilizing the mascot graphics, do not attempt to trace, redraw, or use AI to recreate Victory.
Approved Visual Formats
Only use the four officially provided layouts: Full Body, Half Body, Head, or Hat. No additional poses or expressions may be created.
Full Body
Half Body
Head
Hat
Graphic Violations
Do not stretch, distort, change colors, add accessories, combine Victory with other logos, or apply special effects to the files.
Do not modify.
Never create another version.
Do not mix with other logos.
Do not adorn.
Live Mascot (Costume) & Media Content
Using a photograph or video of the live costume character does not exempt the project from brand guidelines.
Media Rules: Photos and videos of the live mascot are governed by the exact same brand rules as the digital artwork. They cannot be used for any unapproved or negative messaging.
Appearances: All requests for live mascot appearances at events, marketing campaigns, or video productions must be coordinated and approved through University Marketing and Communications.
Approval Checklist
All uses of the mascot require prior review and approval by University Marketing and Communications before production or publication. This includes:
[ ] Official artwork and isolated elements (Head/Hat.)
[ ] Photos or videos featuring the live mascot costume.
[ ] Social media graphics, print materials, and ad campaigns.