Projected Timeline
What's Coming
- Expanding access to athletics throughout the Valley: Football games will take place in Brownsville and Edinburg, with the marching bands performing at both locations, and the swimming & diving team will compete at the City of Pharr Natatorium. Free transportation will be provided for students to home football games in Brownsville and Edinburg. Students will receive free admission to all home football games and swimming & diving competitions.
- Thrilling athletic experiences: UTRGV students got a preview of what collegiate swimming & diving is like when UTRGV and the City of Pharr co-hosted the 2023 Western Athletic Conference Swimming & Diving Championships Feb. 22-25 at the City of Pharr Natatorium. Stay tuned for information on more events leading up to the start of our new programs.
- A new team of coaches is on its way:
- UTRGV hired Travis Bush as head football coach in December 2022.
- UTRGV hired Isela Gomez as head coach for the Spirit Program in October 2022.
- UTRGV Athletics plans to hire the head swimming & diving coach during the summer of 2023.
Latest News
UTRGV to start marching band program
MyRGV - 03/21/2023
UTRGV invites students to join first marching band
Valley Central - 03/21/2023
Football Hires Jeff Bowen as First Offensive Line Coach
UTRGV Athletics - 03/13/2023
Football Hires Adrian McDonald as First Defensive Backs Coach
UTRGV Athletics - 03/10/2023
Football Hires Brian Gamble as Program's First Defensive Coordinator
UTRGV Athletics - 03/08/2023
UTRGV and Pharr Set to Co-Host WAC Swimming and Diving Championships This Week
UTRGV Athletics - 02/21/2023
See All News
Single-Day Tickets for WAC Swimming and Diving Championships Now on Sale
UTRGV Athletics - 02/15/2023
Football Hires John Simmons as Director of Football Operations and Administration
UTRGV Athletics - 01/27/2023
UTRGV tabs Gregory-Portland grad Travis Bush as first ever football coach
KRIS 6 News - 12/12/2022
UTRGV names Canyon’s Travis Bush football
San Antonio Express-News - 12/12/2022
UTRGV announces Bush as first head football coach
RGV Sports - 12/12/2022
Breaking: UTRGV to name Travis Bush as first football head coach
RGV Sports - 12/12/2022
Canyon High School coach hired to begin UTRGV's new football program
KENS5 - 12/12/2022
Travis Bush Named First Head Football Coach
UTRGV Athletics - 12/12/2022
Travis Bush to be first UTRGV head football coach
Valley Central - 12/11/2022
UTRGV hires Travis Bush as inaugural head football coach
KRGV - 12/11/2022
Breaking: Travis Bush to be UTRGV football head coach
Texas Football - 12/11/2022
Expansion of UTRGV Spirit Program hits the ground cheering
UTRGV The Newsroom - 12/07/2022
A University of Texas school is launching college football to "Rally the Valley"
FootballScoop - 12/07/2022
UTRGV looking for a football coach—how much might they be willing to pay?
Valley Central - 11/28/2022
UT-Rio Grande Valley taking that next step in regional legacy-building: Division I football
San Antonio Express-News - 11/25/2022
Football, Women’s Aquatics, Band, Spirit Programs Approved
Texas Border Business - 11/18/2022
UTRGV Announces Plan for Football Program
Valley Central - 11/18/2022
Football Founders Society Reaches $1.5M Mark
Texas Border Business - 11/18/2022
FCS Football is Coming to the Rio Grande Valley
Fear the FCS - 11/18/2022
UTRGV announces approval of football, women’s aquatics, band, spirit programs
UTRGV The Newsroom - 11/18/2022
Full speed ahead: UTRGV officially introduces football, aquatics teams, spirit programs
RGV Sports - 11/18/2022
The next steps in athletics programs, campus life
The Rider - 11/18/2022
‘Big day’ as UTRGV football means housing growth, student recruitment
Valley Central - 11/18/2022
UTRGV Football Founders Society reaches $1.5 million mark
UTRGV Athletics - 11/15/2022
UTRGV prepares to launch its football program
Underdog Dynasty - 11/14/2022
DIVING IN: WAC commish visits UTRGV natatorium, 2023 WAC Championships site
RGV Sports - 07/13/2022
WAC Commissioner visits Pharr Natatorium
Valley Central - 07/12/2022
WAC Swimming and Diving Championships coming to RGV
myRGVNews - 06/20/2022
WAC Swimming and Diving Championships coming to RGV
Valley Central - 06/20/2022
Pharr and UTRGV Co-Host 2023 WAC Championships
Valley Business Report - 06/20/2022
UTRGV receives $1 million to help enhance campus life
UTRGV The Newsroom - 02/18/2022
Ponen en marcha moderno natatorio
El Mañana - 01/31/2022
Going swimmingly: Pharr city, school officials join UTRGV in christening natatorium
myRGVnews - 01/30/2022
$26 million Pharr Natatorium now open
KRGV - 01/29/2022
UTRGV, PSJA ISD, City of Pharr unveil natatorium
ValleyCentral - 01/29/2022
Pharr mayor touts natatorium, citywide internet in annual address
myRGVnews - 01/29/2022
UTRGV has big plans for Pharr’s ‘incredible’ natatorium
MyRGVNews - 12/20/2021
City of Pharr's new multi-use aquatic center to open in January
KRGV - 12/08/2021
UTRGV has Division I football. Now they need a head coach
SBNation - 11/16/2021
What we know so far about UTRGV football
Valley Central - 11/12/2021
UTRGV football by 2025: Students pass referendum to increase fees, create programs
MyRGVNews - 11/11/2021
UTRGV student body approves Athletics Fee increase
The Rider - 11/11/2021
UTRGV students pass referendum, paves way for college football
KRGV - 11/11/2021
Great expectations: UTSA shinning example how UTRGV may implement collegiate football
myRGVnews - 11/06/2021
UTRGV students to vote on fee increase to support football, swimming and diving
Valley Central - 11/02/2021
Area coaches, athletes hopeful for UTRGV football
RGV Sports - 10/31/2021
Frequently Asked Questions
At what level will football and women’s swimming & diving compete?
They will compete as NCAA Division I programs in the Western Athletic Conference, joining UTRGV’s other 16 sport programs. Football will specifically compete in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS).
How will the programs be sustained?
A portion of the expenses needed to sustain the programs are funded by the intercollegiate athletics fee. The remaining funds will be secured by UTRGV Athletics through fundraising, public and private partnerships, ticket sales, and NCAA and Western Athletic Conference-generated revenue.
Will financial resources be redirected from other sources, including academic and student support programs, to help fund the new athletics programs?
No. The programs are only funded from the intercollegiate athletics fee and revenue secured by UTRGV Athletics through fundraising, public and private partnerships, ticket sales, and NCAA and Western Athletic Conference-generated revenue. Tuition, general education, and state funds are used for academic and academic support programs and cannot be used for intercollegiate athletics.
Who can I contact if I have any questions?
If you have any questions, suggestions or ideas, please send an email to RallyTheValley@utrgv.edu.
