After more than a decade of planning and anticipation, the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley is turning its football vision into reality. The Vaqueros will kick off their inaugural NCAA Division I football season in 2025 — a milestone fueled by community support, strategic leadership, and unwavering belief.
The idea first gained traction in 2016 when UTRGV commissioned a feasibility study chaired by legendary coach Mack Brown. The findings were clear: “Football is not an athletics‑only venture — it’s a university initiative that greatly impacts student life,” said Jonah Goldberg, senior associate athletic director for communications and championships at UTRGV. At the time, however, the university was focused on launching its medical school and securing key accreditations, making 2016 an inopportune moment.
Fast forward to spring 2020: bolstered by a pandemic-era financial rebound, UTRGV’s student government approved a referendum to gauge interest in football, women’s swimming and diving, and a marching band. On Nov. 11, 2021, more than 60 percent of students who voted were in favor of the initiative. The success of UTRGV football can be traced back to the pivotal student vote in 2021. That decision set everything in motion — students voiced their support, the administration acted, and now the program’s first game is just around the corner.
The UT System Board of Regents gave final approval in November 2022, and within weeks, Travis Bush was named head coach. Nearly 1,000 days later, UTRGV is set for its historic debut.
Securing a home field was critical. In February 2024, UTRGV acquired the former H-E-B Park, later renamed Robert & Janet Vackar Stadium following a $20 million gift from the Vackars. “We’ve been able to use their historically generous support to get the stadium ready for football,” Goldberg said. Upgrades include lowering the field for better sightlines, expanding seating to about 12,500, adding premium loge areas, ribbon displays, and a high-definition video board.
What was once passive green space has become the H-E-B Tailgate Zone — a reserved, ticket-free area for pregame festivities. “Fans will also be treated to a brand-new video board giving all fans a way to soak up the game day experience,” Goldberg said.
The Vaqueros Performance Center, a 45,000-square-foot facility, further signals UTRGV’s commitment to excellence. The complex features a state-of-the-art weight room, sports medicine spaces, academic support areas, coaches’ offices, and dual practice fields — one turf, one grass. “There aren’t many teams at the FCS level with facilities like ours,” Goldberg said.
Veteran trainer Don Sommer, formerly of TCU and the NFL, heads strength and conditioning, supported by assistant Elijah Piñon. “Our strength and conditioning coaches do a good job of always having protein‑filled snacks and drinks available,” Goldberg said. “We also have partnerships with places like Fork to Fit that help us make sure our student-athletes have the fuel they need.”
“Competitively, the goal is always to win,” Goldberg said. With two recruiting classes and a mix of transfers and high school standouts, UTRGV enters the Southland Conference confident. “Roster turnover in college athletics these days levels the playing field for first-year programs,” he added.
Beyond the scoreboard, UTRGV aims to create lifelong memories. “Everyone at those games will tell their kids and grandkids that they were there for the first season of UTRGV football,” Goldberg said.
The Vaqueros’ debut is set for Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, when they host Sul Ross State at Vackar Stadium. The season includes seven home games in Edinburg this year.
The program’s reach extends well past athletics. The initiative is projected to generate hundreds of jobs and millions in total economic impact across the region.
What began as a 2016 feasibility study has grown into a transformational project for the university and the Rio Grande Valley. From securing accreditation to funding facilities, UTRGV’s football program reflects comprehensive growth.
With the first kickoff on the horizon, the Vaqueros are more than a team — they are a catalyst for a united campus and community identity.
