RIO GRANDE VALLEY – The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) Department of Intercollegiate Athletics unveiled the $45 million Vaqueros Performance Center (VPC), part of over $180 million in construction, renovations, and enhancements affecting all UTRGV sport programs across 13 capital projects, to the public starting with a press conference followed by access to the facility on Friday.
 
The VPC is a 45,000-plus-square foot facility that houses the football program and features state-of-the-art weight training, academic, and sports medicine facilities for use by multiple teams. The VPC also features two practice fields, one of which is the same synthetic turf used at Robert & Janet Vackar Stadium and one of which is natural grass. The turf field is striped for both football and soccer.
 
"We are proud to be able to show off this state-of-the-art facility to the community and our loyal donors that have helped make this facility a reality. The Vaqueros Performance Center is one of the nicest football operations centers in the country and will serve our football program and other sport programs well for many years to come," UTRGV Senior Vice President and Director of Athletics Chasse Conque said. "The VPC and Vackar stadium are a one-two punch for Vaqueros Football. These facilities and playing in front of sold-out crowds this season make a clear statement about the Valley's commitment to Division I football. The future is bright for the Vaqueros and the VPC will prove to be a significant tool that will contribute to our program's success."
 
The VPC features a 4,973-square foot locker room area for the football team with 120 lockers and a players lounge. Several lockers showcase a community of dedicated supporters who have each named individual lockers as part of the Football Locker Club, including Maritza & Dr. Dustin Luebbers, Liam Mathias Luebbers, the Brown Family, Eliud Medina, Cindy & Alex Benavides, Sonia & Juan Cazares, Los Whetstones, Esperanza & Ruben Garza, Rosendo Benitez, Zachary L. Hensen, Juarez/Rios Family, Samantha Allen, and Norma & Omar Guevara.
 
The Sharon Clark & Michael Mueller Student-Athlete Lounge offers players a comfortable place to relax between training and classes.
 
The football coaching staff has ample office space, including the Sandy & Dr. Nolan Perez Head Coach's Office, the Ordorica Family Assistant Coach's Office and the Clarissa & Rodolfo Ruiz Assistant Coach's Office, ensuring UTRGV coaches have the resources needed to lead effectively.
 
The Vaqueros can take advantage of a 1,674-square foot team room with 143 seats and large screen for watching film as well as six position meeting rooms, including the Christine & Brandon Wallace Offensive Line Position Meeting Room and the Clarissa & Rodolfo Ruiz Position Meeting Room, plus the Velma Sue & Leon De Leon Conference Room and the Dr. Carlos Manrique de Lara Conference Room.
 
The VPC is home to a 3,837-square foot sport medicine area, primarily used by the football and swimming & diving teams, that includes an on-site x-ray machine, a rare luxury in college athletics, a state-of-the-art hydrotherapy room, zero-gravity treadmill, 12 training tables, and six additional taping stations. Athletic trainers work out of the Mobile X-Rays On Demand Sports Medicine Office and the Maria Alicia & Dr. Javier Andres Saenz Sports Medicine Office, ensuring the health and recovery of UTRGV student-athletes.
 
The weight room, which measures 7,542 square feet, and Val LaMantia & Dr. Guy Bailey Academic Success Center, which measures 1,581 square feet, are used by football and various athletic programs.
 
The VPC also features a nutrition center to keep UTRGV student-athletes fueled.
 
Visitors are welcomed through the Boggus Family Atrium, a spacious and inviting entry that sets the tone for the experience of the VPC.
 
"It's a phenomenal building," UTRGV head coach Travis Bush said. "It's great for these young men. We recruited them to these facilities, and for them to finally be in there and have their daily lives be exceptional and be able to brag about having one of the top facilities, not only in the conference, but in the country, is great. It's going to help us. It definitely gives us everything we need to be successful now and to keep recruiting top quality athletes as well."
 
Additional naming right opportunities are available. To pursue a naming opportunity, contact UTRGV Associate Athletic Director for Development Eddie Galvan at (956) 665-3415 or vaf@utrgv.edu.

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