Vaquero is the face of UT Rio Grande Valley basketball, a Division I program competing in the Southland since 2013. The Vaqueros have carried the UT Rio Grande Valley name on the court for over 13 seasons. UT Rio Grande Valley basketball has competed across the Southland championship contention through multiple eras at the Division I level. UT Rio Grande Valley has played 21 games this season, finishing 10-11. Across the roster this season, the Vaqueros feature scoring punch from Marvin McGhee III, playmaking from Always Wright. The Vaqueros play home games on the UT Rio Grande Valley campus. UT Rio Grande Valley most recently posted a loss (80-84) on March 11, 2026. Since 2013, UT Rio Grande Valley basketball has carried its mascot, Vaquero and the fight song "Go Vaqueros!" through every era of program history. When fans fuel a Vaquero athlete on RallyFuel, 90% lands directly with the athlete — funding training, recovery, and the realities of college sports.
The Texas Rio Grande Men’s Basketball program operates at the NCAA Division I level as a proud member of the Western Athletic Conference (WAC). This position within a highly competitive mid-major conference allows the program to regularly engage with formidable regional and national opponents, thereby cultivating an environment that is not only conducive to athletic excellence but also to the personal growth of well-rounded leaders. As a cornerstone of the university’s athletic identity, the men’s basketball program significantly enhances the institution's visibility and serves as a primary driver for community engagement and institutional pride.
Operating under the rigorous Division I framework, the program emphasizes the recruitment of athletes who demonstrate the potential for high-level performance, while simultaneously providing a robust platform for skill refinement and brand development. The program’s standing within the WAC is indicative of a broader commitment to elevating competitive standards through strategic scheduling and high-stakes conference play. This ensures that athletes gain invaluable experience against a variety of playing styles and tactical approaches, which is essential for their development as elite competitors.
The infrastructure supporting the Texas Rio Grande Men’s Basketball program is meticulously designed to optimize athlete performance and facilitate holistic development. The team’s home games are hosted at the UTRGV Fieldhouse, a state-of-the-art arena with a seating capacity of approximately 2,500. This venue features a premium hardwood playing surface and an intimate atmosphere that energizes both players and fans, creating a formidable home-court advantage that is crucial for competitive success.
Beyond game day, the program benefits from comprehensive training facilities that prioritize strength and conditioning, injury prevention, and sport-specific skill enhancement. The athletics department is committed to integrated support services, including academic advising, nutrition counseling, and mental health resources tailored specifically for basketball athletes. This holistic approach not only fosters athletic excellence but also prepares athletes for life beyond sports.
The Texas Rio Grande Men’s Basketball program represents a significant opportunity for marketability and Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) ventures for its student-athletes. With increasing media exposure through regional television broadcasts and digital streaming platforms, players can gain substantial visibility, facilitating the growth of their personal brands and opening doors to lucrative endorsement opportunities. The program's engagement with a passionate local fanbase in the Rio Grande Valley not only enhances community support but also attracts sponsor interest, creating a fertile environment for commercial partnerships that benefit both athletes and the institution.
Moreover, the program's strategic positioning within the WAC, coupled with its unwavering commitment to competitive success, draws interest from regional businesses eager to align with collegiate athletics. This synergy presents athletes with NIL opportunities linked to local brands, community events, and initiatives, thus creating a comprehensive ecosystem for brand alignment. Prospective recruits are increasingly attracted to the Texas Rio Grande Men’s Basketball program, not only for its competitive platform but also for the tangible pathways it offers to build a marketable athletic identity that extends well beyond the confines of the sport, effectively converting exposure into equity and monetizing their digital footprints.
