EDINBURG, Texas – University of Texas-Pan American baseball head coach Manny Mantrana announced on Saturday the signing of PSJA High School standout and infielder Bryan Ramirez (5-10, 170, Pharr, TX) to a National Letter of Intent (NLI) for the 2012-13 academic year.
 
This season, Ramirez helped lead the Bears to the regional quarterfinals by hitting .476 with one home run and 18 stolen bases.
 
Last season, Ramirez was named All-Valley Offensive Player of the Year after hitting .517 with two home runs, 28 RBI and 11 stolen bases.
 
His career accolades include being named All-District Offensive Player of the Year in 2011 and 2012 and All-District Newcomer of the Year in 2010.
 
Ramirez also takes pride in excelling in the classroom; graduating seventh is his class. He is a member of the National Honor Society and is a Distinguished Achievement Program graduate.
 
Ramirez has been playing under head coach Marco Guajardo, who, like Ramirez's parents Tito and Corina, is a proud UTPA alumnus.
 
“We're happy to have him. He's the kind of character kid we want. He's a tremendous student and has a great family. He's going to be a tremendous addition to our program,” Mantrana said.
 
The University of Texas-Pan American Department of Intercollegiate Athletics competes at the NCAA Division I classification. UTPA, formerly known as Pan American College and Pan American University, is a part of the University of Texas System of Schools. The Broncs compete in 14 varsity sports; men's and women's basketball, golf, tennis, track and field, and cross country, along with women's volleyball and men's baseball. In 1963, then known as Pan American College, the Broncs men's basketball program won the NAIA National Championship with a 73-62 victory over Western Carolina. In 2008 UTPA joined the new all-sports division of the Great West Conference.