RIO GRANDE VALLEY – Red Panda, declared by Sports Illustrated to be "the NBA's favorite halftime show," is set to perform at halftime during the UTRGV men's basketball game against Sam Houston State on Dec. 3 at 7 p.m. at the UTRGV Fieldhouse.
 
The first 200 UTRGV students in attendance will receive free tacos, courtesy of head coach Lew Hill and the men's basketball team.
 
Rong Niu, better known as Red Panda, has been performing for over 33 years and has done her act in over 30 countries around the world. She holds two Guinness World Records. Balancing metal bowls on her head while balancing on a unicycle all while on heels, Red Panda is an NBA sensation during halftime shows.
 
Niu started mastering her routine at the age of seven, flicking dishes skyward and building the leg strength that would later help her master the unicycle. She started performing full-time at the age of 12, and joined the fabled Shanghai Acrobatic Troupe at 14. When she turned 19, Disney World offered her a residency performing at the China Pavilion at Epcot. In 1993, she made her NBA debut. By the 1994-95 season, Red Panda had appeared at more than 40 NBA games.
 
Now, at the age of 42, she is still an NBA icon, performing annually with the Philadelphia 76ers, the Golden State Warriors, and at college basketball games.
 
Fans can come check out the most exciting NBA halftime show performer, as well as the grand opening of the hottest spot on campus – Vaquero Village. The action starts at 5:30 p.m. with a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the completion of renovations to the UTRGV Fieldhouse and the launch of Vaquero Village, a new pregame fan experience.
 
Current UTRGV students get free general admission with a valid UTRGV student ID. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased online at UTRGVTickets.com. Fans purchasing their tickets online prior to game day can save up to $2 per ticket.

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