RIO GRANDE VALLEY – The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) Department of Intercollegiate Athletics and Tio Pelon's Salsita announced on Thursday the creation of Vaqueros Especial, a medium roasted jalapeño and chile piquin taco-style salsa.
 
Restaurants and stores interested in carrying Tio Pelon's Vaqueros Especial can place orders by sending an email to orders@tiopelonsalsita.com.
 
UTRGV Athletics and Tio Pelon's will host a free tasting of Vaqueros Especial during the UTRGV Madness tailgate party on Oct. 27 from 7-8:30 p.m. in the UTRGV Fieldhouse parking lot. UTRGV Madness follows in the fieldhouse at 9 p.m. with doors opening at 8:30 p.m.
 
"It's no secret that there is a lot of energy and enthusiasm around UTRGV Athletics right now," Tio Pelon's Salsita President/CEO Oscar Perez Ollervidez said. "The large crowds consistently watching Vaqueros games helped us to identify this incredible opportunity. We're proud to partner with our hometown university to create this special Vaqueros salsa."
 
Tio Pelon's was founded by Perez and Noe Molina, who are from McAllen, in 2015 using a salsita norteñas Mexicanas (North Mexican style salsa) recipe straight from the kitchen of Perez's Grandma Emma's ranch.
 
For more information, visit TioPelonSalsita.com.
 
"We're excited to be able to partner with a pair of Valley-natives, who have a knack for making very good salsas, to create a Vaqueros branded salsa," UTRGV Vice President & Director of Athletics Chasse Conque said. "This is an excellent next step as we expand our footprint in the consumables space and further brand the Vaqueros in our region and throughout Texas."
 
UTRGV Athletics is believed to join New Mexico and New Mexico State as the only NCAA Division I universities with a branded salsa. The only other university with a branded salsa is believed to be Eastern New Mexico, which competes at the NCAA Division II level.
 
This is the second branded consumable item for UTRGV Athletics following the immensely successful launch of Los Vaqueros beer, a blood orange kölsch style ale created in partnership with 5x5 Brewing Co., that came out this past May.

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