RIO GRANDE VALLEY – The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) Department of Intercollegiate Athletics announced on Tuesday that the men's basketball team will host the second annual UTRGV South Padre Island Battle on the Beach, and the women's basketball team will host the third annual UTRGV South Padre Island Classic, Dec. 18-20 at the South Padre Island Convention Centre.
 
The UTRGV South Padre Island Battle on the Beach features a UTRGV men's basketball game against Houston Baptist on Dec. 18.
 
The UTRGV South Padre Island Classic features UTRGV women's basketball against Boise State on Dec. 19 at 6 p.m. and Bowling Green on Dec. 20 at 6 p.m. Texas A&M-Commerce will face Bowling Green on Dec. 19 at 3 p.m. and Boise State on Dec. 20 at 3 p.m.
 
Fans looking to guarantee their seats for both events can purchase season tickets online at UTRGVTickets.com or by contacting the UTRGV Athletics Ticket Office team of Eddie Galvan (956-222-2935) and Ryela Rodriguez (956-329-0884) over the phone or through email at tickets@utrgv.edu. Classic-specific packages will go on sale closer to the event should inventory be available.

"We are excited to be able to bring both UTRGV basketball teams back to Cameron County for our annual events on South Padre Island," UTRGV Vice President and Director of Athletics Chasse Conque said. "Both the community and our participating teams had a memorable time last year and we look forward to building on both that and our commitment to making UTRGV the Valley's team and playing in Cameron County. Playing on South Padre Island is key to our mission to #RallyTheValley behind UTRGV Athletics."
 
South Padre Island is a tropical oasis located off the southern tip of Texas. This barrier island offers the unsurpassed beauty of the Laguna Madre Bay and the Gulf of Mexico and is the ideal year-round destination for visitors seeking a getaway from the daily grind.
 
South Padre Island features 34 miles of beautiful white sand and clear emerald water, making it one of the world's most exquisite barrier islands – and the only tropical island in Texas. Calm weather and water and more than 300 days of sunshine make South Padre Island a great place to visit all year. When visiting during the winter, the warm sun melts away your cares as you stroll down the beach in shorts and sandals. You can close your eyes, breathe deeply, and let go of all the worries you left behind when your trip to South Padre began.
 
With a breathtaking view of the Laguna Madre Bay, the South Padre Island Convention Centre offers 45,000 square feet of space for meetings, conventions, conferences, trade shows, exhibits and special events. The primary facilities include 22,500 square feet of exhibit hall space with a clear ceiling height of 36 feet for large meetings and sporting events, a 2,633 square foot conference auditorium, and 9,000 square feet of breakout space. A large central lobby can also host various exhibits and functions. The Sunset Terrace adjoins the lobby, providing the perfect setting and view for an outside reception.
 
"Hosting annual Division I college basketball is a significant part of how we can attract visitors and businesses to South Padre Island and we're excited to be able to partner with UTRGV to host these games," South Padre Island Convention and Visitors Bureau Director Blake Henry said. "We're committed to expanding sports tourism and look forward to showcasing South Padre Island and the South Padre Island Convention Center using the national platform to which these basketball games give us access."
 
For more information, visit GoUTRGV.com/SPI.

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