FEATURED: Dr. Maggie Hinojosa, Senior Vice President, Strategic Enrollment and Student Affairs, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, speaks during the UTRGV Program Expansion press conference on Friday, November 18, 2022 at the Visitors Center in Edinburg.
Photograph By PAUL CHOUY
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First $24 million of a projected $78 million in upgrades and new construction for UTRGV sports facilities in Edinburg set for action by UT System Board of Regents on Wednesday, February 22, 2023, reports Dr. Luis “Louie” G. Alamia, PT, DPT
By DAVID A. DÍAZ
[email protected]
Funding authorization for the first $24 million of a projected $78 million in upgrades and new construction for sports facilities at the Edinburg campus of the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley is set for action by the UT System Board of Regents during its Wednesday, February 22, 2023, and Thursday, February 23, 2003 meetings in Austin, reports Dr. Luis “Louie” G. Alamia, PT, DPT.
https://www.facebook.com/VoteAlamia/
If approved by the regents, five capital projects with combined estimated construction costs of $24 million would be authorized for funding, while two other projects, with a combined estimated construction cost of $54 million, would go before the UT System Board of Regents at a later, but not yet announced date, added Alamia, who is a member of the Board of Trustees, Edinburg Consolidated Independent School District.
In general, a capital project is a project to construct either new facilities or make significant, long-term renewal improvements to existing facilities.
“Big-time university sports programs – and that is what we have at UTRGV – have such enormous, positive effects, not only on their schools, but on their home regions all across the board, from academic excellence, qualify-of-life, economic development and job growth, for everyone from all walks of life,” said Alamia. “So whatever is good for UTRGV, is good for Edinburg, the Valley, and deep South Texas.”
According to UT System officials:
“In late 2019, the Athletics Department at UTRGV began a comprehensive study on its facilities. An athletics master plan process was implemented to determine deficiencies in physical facilities, address inequities, and create a path forward to support elevating its programs to the next level. This plan is a critical component of the transformation of the student life experience at UT Rio Grande Valley.
“The goal is to retain the most talented students within the Rio Grande Valley. This is inclusive of all students whether they are student athletes, students wishing to participate in marching band, or students seeking the student life experience at a campus with a robust community-engaged athletics program.”
With the 88th Texas Legislature midway through its second month of its five-month regular session, Alamia said he is taking very active roles on higher education issues in general, and on major legislation by Rio Grande Valley legislators that will improve public and higher education in Edinburg.
“UTRGV, South Texas College, Texas A&M College Higher Education Center in McAllen, and Texas State Technical College in Harlingen are among the higher education systems that affect and benefit public education, economic development and job growth in Edinburg,” he noted. “It is in the best interest of the Edinburg school board that we take active roles in the legislative agendas of these colleges and universities, and that we work closely with our state lawmakers, and the leaders for those higher education systems, to make sure all of them succeed in and for the Edinburg school district.”
The first round of capital projects at the Edinburg campus of UTRGV – whose combined construction costs are estimated at $24 million – involve the following proposals that will be considered by the UT System Board of Regents on Wednesday, February 22, 2023:
• Soccer/Track Operations Center – Two buildings totaling 13,506 gross square feet (GSF) will be constructed to house locker rooms, training rooms, and offices for the Soccer and Track programs. Estimated cost is $9.5 million.
GSF stands for Gross Square Feet. GSF, which is a basis of measurement in architecture, is the total sum of the floorspace over every level of a building.
https://nces.ed.gov/pubs2006/ficm/content.asp?ContentType=Section&chapter=3§ion=2&subsection=1
• Football Practice Fields – One synthetic turf and one natural turf will be installed north of the baseball stadium and adjacent to the future site of the Vaqueros Performance Center to house operations for the Football Program. Estimated cost is $5 million;
• Basketball/Volleyball Practice Facility – The 11,950 GSF former natatorium space will be renovated to convert its use to a practice gymnasium for basketball and volleyball. Estimated cost is $4 million;
• Tennis Complex Renovation and Additions – Two buildings totaling 4,500 GSF will be constructed to provide locker rooms, offices, and a concession area. An entry plaza, new bleachers, and resurfacing of the tennis courts will also be provided. Estimated cost is $3 million; and
• Baseball Field Stadium Remodel and Renovations – This general refresh and deferred maintenance of the baseball stadium complex will include updates to seating, concessions, lighting, fencing, railings, and locker rooms. Estimated cost is $2.5 million.
The $24 million debt is expected to be repaid with the increase in the Intercollegiate Athletics Fee as voted favorably by student referendum held November 8-10, 2021, with final Board of Regents approval on November 17, 2022. Annual debt service is estimated at $1,347,000.
Debt service refers to the money that is required to cover the payment of interest and principal on a loan or other debt for a particular time period. The term can apply both to individual debts, such as a home mortgage or student loan, and corporate or government debt, such as business loans and debt-based securities, such as bonds.
https://www.investopedia.com/terms/d/debtservice.asp
FUNDING TO BE SOUGHT AT FUTURE REGENTS MEETING FOR $40.5 MILLION VAQUEROS PERFORMANCE CENTER, $13.5 MILLION FIELDHOUSE LOBBY ADDITION
In addition, there are two major projects for which funding approval will be sought separately at the time design development is ready for approval.
In design development, the schematic plans and elevations are reviewed, revised and expanded to incorporate all the details and specifications required for construction. Project components are looked at to the smallest detail. These include: Interior and exterior building materials and finishes.
https://wmich.edu/facilities/planning/designdevelopment
Those two projects – also on the Edinburg campus of UTRGV – are the Vaqueros Performance Center and the Health and Physical Education Complex (HPE1) Fieldhouse Lobby Addition, with combined construction costs estimated at $54 million.
The Vaqueros Performance Center will have an estimated cost of $40.5 million, while the Physical Education Complex (HPE1) Fieldhouse Lobby Addition will have an estimated cost of $13.5 million, according to UT System officials.
The Vaqueros Performance Center will serve as the operations center for football along with several other sports programs.
The Vaqueros Performance Center will feature a football locker room, coaches’ offices, and meeting space.
The 48,000 square foot facility will also include a weight room, academic learning center, and sports medicine facility that will be shared by several athletics programs including football.
The facility will be constructed north of the UTRGV Baseball Stadium on Sugar Road and will include two football practice fields.
The total estimated cost for all seven projects is $78 million.
With the 88th Texas Legislature midway through its second month of its five-month regular session, Alamia said he is taking very active roles on higher education issues in general, and on major legislation by Rio Grande Valley legislators that will improve public and higher education in Edinburg.
“UTRGV, South Texas College, Texas A&M College Higher Education Center in McAllen, and Texas State Technical College in Harlingen are among the higher education systems that affect and benefit public education, economic development and job growth in Edinburg,” he noted. “It is in the best interest of the Edinburg school board that we take active roles in the legislative agendas of these colleges and universities, and that we work closely with our state lawmakers, and the leaders of those higher education systems, to make sure all of them succeed in and for the Edinburg school district.”
APPROVAL OF $24 MILLION OF FUNDING FOR UTRGV’S INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETICS MINOR CAPITAL PROJECTS
More details on the seven proposed capital improvement projects for the sports programs at UTRGV, as provided on the UT System Regents posted agenda, follow:
The Executive Vice Chancellor for Business Affairs recommends approval of this item authorizing funding of $24 million from Revenue Financing System (RFS) bond proceeds for UT Rio Grande Valley to finance five minor capital projects on the Edinburg campus that are components of the Intercollegiate Athletics Expansion and Renovation Plan.
The debt is expected to be repaid with the increase in the Intercollegiate Athletics Fee as voted favorably by student referendum held November 8-10, 2021, with final Board of Regents approval on November 17, 2022. Annual debt service is estimated at $1,347 million.
The institution’s Scoreboard Rating of 3.8 at the fiscal year-end 2022 is below the maximum threshold of 6.0 and demonstrates the institution has the financial capacity to satisfy its direct obligations related to parity debt.
The institution therefore requests the Board resolve in accordance with Section 5 of the Amended and Restated Master Resolution Establishing The University of Texas System Revenue Financing System that:
Parity debt shall be issued to fund all or a portion of the projects’ cost, including any costs prior to the issuance of such parity debt.
Sufficient funds will be available to meet the financial obligations of the UT System, including sufficient Pledged Revenues as defined in the RFS Master Resolution to satisfy the Annual Debt Service Requirements of the Financing System, and to meet all financial obligations of the UT System Board of Regents relating to the Financing System.
UT Rio Grande Valley, which is a “Member” as such term is used in the RFS Master Resolution, possesses the financial capacity to satisfy its direct obligation as defined in the Master Resolution relating to the issuance by the U. T. System Board of Regents of parity debt in an aggregate amount of $24 million.
This resolution satisfies the official intent requirements set forth in Section 1.150-2 of the Code of Federal Regulations that evidences the Board’s intention to reimburse project expenditures with bond proceeds.
The requested funding of $24 million will finance the following five capital projects that are components of the Intercollegiate Athletics Expansion and Renovation Plan at UT Rio Grande Valley.
To view the live or videotaped broadcast of the UT System Board of Regents meeting, along with accessing the full agenda packet, please log on to:
https://www.utsystem.edu/board-of-regents/meetings/board-meeting-2023-02-22
University of Texas Rio Grande Valley press conference in mid-November 2022 provided background about football, women’s aquatics, band, and spirit programs
The University of Texas System Board of Regents on Wednesday, November 16, 2022 approved the expansion of spirit programs and authorized the creation of marching bands and football and women’s swimming and diving programs for The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley.
The approval included an increase of the Intercollegiate Athletics Fee from $15 per credit hour to $26.25 per credit hour, as approved by the Fall 2021 student referendum.
Funds generated by the fee increase allow for the expansion and addition of the following programs on UTRGV campuses:
• Spirit programs on both the Brownsville and Edinburg campuses;
• A Division I women’s swimming and diving program;
• A Division I FCS football program.
The NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS), formerly known as Division I-AA, is the second-highest level of college football in the United States, after the Football Bowl Subdivision.
Sponsored by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), the FCS level comprises 130 teams in 15 conferences as of the 2022 season. The FCS designation is only tied to football with the non-football sports programs of each school generally competing in NCAA Division I; and
• Marching bands on both the Brownsville and Edinburg campuses.
The university held a press conference on Friday morning, November 18, 2022 to update the campus community and public about the next steps for these new programs.
UTRGV President Guy Bailey said the addition of these programs is part of a bigger goal to expand and enhance the university’s campus life.
“Like I told the Board of Regents, our students deserve a traditional campus life experience, and this is an important step in the right direction,” Bailey said. “What’s exceptional about these specific campus life initiatives is that they represent academics, student life, and athletics. These areas are coming together to provide a better university experience for our students and our entire campus community.”
The increase in the intercollegiate athletics fee will be for new incoming students, starting Fall 2022 and beyond, and graduating students who return for another degree.
Current students who remain within the UTRGV established Guaranteed Tuition and Fees program will not have to pay the fee increase.
The increase will be reflected on students’ billing statements starting with registration for Academic Year 2023-2024.
More than 5,000 UTRGV students voted in November 2021 in favor of the proposal to support programs aided by an increase in the intercollegiate athletics fee. Voter turnout was the largest to date for any UTRGV student vote.
EXPANDING UTRGV ATHLETICS
With the addition of football and women’s swimming and diving programs, UTRGV’s goal is to increase opportunities for student-athletes, while also providing programming to enhance campus life.
“This is another milestone moment in a process that will soon transform UTRGV and the Rio Grande Valley,” said Chasse Conque, Vice President and Director of Athletics Chasse. “We have already experienced incredible support for and interest in sport expansion, and we are looking forward to ‘Rallying the Valley’ around our new programs as we launch women’s swimming & diving and football.”
UTRGV Athletics’ 16 programs will be enhanced by the newly added sports and boost the number of student-athletes by about 130.
Incorporation of the new programs also will bring the construction of a 48,000-square-foot Vaqueros Performance Center, which will include a weight room, academic learning center and sports medicine facility that will be shared by several athletics programs including football.
ARE YOU READY FOR UTRGV FOOTBALL?
The level of excitement and support for a UTRGV football team, both on campus and across the Rio Grande Valley, is high, and is evident by the funding raised locally for the program.
Established by UTRGV Athletics, the Football Founders Society – a group of loyal donors helping the football program hit the ground running – already has raised $1.5 million.
Along with the UTRGV Foundation’s $1 million allocation to supplement the expansion of spirit programs and the establishment of two marching bands, women’s swimming and diving, and football, UTRGV already has generated $2.5 million in support of sport expansion.
The fiscal year timeline for the building of the UTRGV football program includes:
• Fiscal Year 2023 – The hiring of a head football coach and two coordinators in preparation for the program’s first competitive season in FY 2026.
On Monday, December 12, 2022,, UTRGV announced the hiring of Travis Bush, who has 14 years of NCAA Division I college and eight years of high school coaching experience in Texas, plus one season of NFL coaching experience, in addition to significant ties to the Rio Grande Valley, as the first head football coach in program history.
https://goutrgv.com/news/2022/12/12/travis-bush-named-first-head-football-coach.aspx
• FY 2024 – The remaining assistant coaches and support staff will be hired.
• FY 2024 – Signing of the first recruiting class.
• FY 2025 – The football program conducts a practice year. FY 2025 and FY 2026. The expected football roster will be named to include 60 and 90 student-athletes, respectively.
• FY 2025 – First football game to be played. Beginning with the program’s first year of competition, UTRGV will be recognized as a full member of Division I FCS, eligible for NCAA postseason, and play a full Western Athletic Conference schedule.
DIVE IN FOR SUCCESS
UTRGV Athletics plans to hire a head coach for women’s swimming and diving in summer 2023 with the first competition scheduled for fall 2024. The expected roster is approximately 35 student-athletes.
In partnership with the City of Pharr, UTRGV’s swimming and diving student-athletes will practice and compete in the City of Pharr Natatorium, a newly constructed, state-of-the-art facility that opened in February 2022.
From Wednesday, February 22, 2023 through Friday, February 25, 2023, UTRGV Athletics is co-hosting the 2023 Western Athletic Conference Swimming & Diving Championships with the City of Pharr at the natatorium.
This is a crucial first step for the sport expansion, as UTRGV will get the opportunity to showcase the natatorium and university on a national stage, as well as introduce the Rio Grande Valley to Division I swimming and diving.
The meet will be broadcast on ESPN+.
THE SPIRIT OF UTRGV
The addition of marching bands and expansion of spirit programs – cheer, dance and mascot teams – will create more than 250 new opportunities for student involvement.
School spirit and pride will be enhanced on both the Brownsville and Edinburg campuses with performances by the marching band and spirit program.
“We are looking forward to the excitement and the connections the spirit programs and marching band will build and foster among our students, university community and throughout the Rio Grande Valley,” Dr. Maggie Hinojosa, Senior Vice President for Strategic Enrollment and Student Affairs. “Creating a robust and high-quality student life experience for our Vaqueros is at the heart of UTRGV. These new initiatives will be key in enhancing the campus experience and boosting school spirit and pride for our students.
Isela ‘Sel’ Gómez, a UTRGV alumna, was hired recently as head coach for the Spirit Program. She will lead the UTRGV cheer, dance and mascot teams, whose primary focus is to increase Vaquero spirit on campus and in the community, and to enhance and create traditions for Vaquero fans and alumni.
Also hired was Rudy Mata, a Midwestern State University graduate, who will serve as the new program coordinator for Spirit and Traditions. He will support Gómez with administrative responsibilities for the program and will help manage requests for team appearances and performances.
He also will work with Student Activities to plan campus events that incorporate the spirit program.
In addition to collaborating with UTRGV Athletics, the marching band will perform as a whole or in parts, at events throughout the Valley. The marching band will be unique as there will bands in Brownsville and Edinburg that will come together for rehearsals, and performances at football games and competitions.
The UTRGV Division of Strategic Enrollment and Student Affairs is developing a competitive scholarship and/or stipend program to ensure UTRGV is successful in recruiting the Rio Grande Valley’s best musicians.
Full implementation of the spirit program expansion is expected in FY 2025 and the first year of marching band participation will begin in FY 2026.
To learn more and stay up to date with the new and expanding programs, visit http://www.utrgv.edu/rallythevalley.
ABOUT UTRGV
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) was created by the Texas Legislature in 2013 as the first major public university of the 21st century in Texas. This transformative initiative provided the opportunity to expand educational opportunities in the Rio Grande Valley, including a new School of Medicine, and made it possible for residents of the region to benefit from the Permanent University Fund – a public endowment contributing support to the University of Texas System and other institutions.
UTRGV has campuses and off-campus research and teaching sites throughout the Rio Grande Valley including in Boca Chica Beach, Brownsville (formerly The University of Texas at Brownsville campus), Edinburg (formerly The University of Texas-Pan American campus), Harlingen, McAllen, Port Isabel, Rio Grande City, Weslaco and South Padre Island.
UTRGV, a comprehensive academic institution, enrolled its first class in the fall of 2015, and the School of Medicine welcomed its first class in the summer of 2016.
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Jonah Goldberg contributed to this article. For more on this and other Texas legislative news stories that affect the Rio Grande Valley metropolitan region, please log on to Titans of the Texas Legislature (TitansoftheTexasLegislature.com).
