During his first five years as the Vice President and Director of Athletics at UTRGV, Chasse Conque (pronounced Chase Konk) has led the department through a period of exponential growth. Among his accomplishments are increasing attendance across all sports by about 60% and overall external generated revenue to an unprecedented $24.5 million in 2024.
Conque is currently presiding over $160 million in facilities enhancements across 13 capital projects taking place from 2022-26 touching all 18 athletic programs at UTRGV.
The remarkable support during Conque’s tenure has allowed UTRGV to move forward with starting football and women’s swimming & diving programs and make a move to the Southland Conference as full-time members.
In recognition of his impact on UTRGV and the Valley, Conque was named the 2024 Edinburg Chamber of Commerce Man of the Year.
During his introductory press conference in August 2019, Conque stated his intention to “Rally the Valley” behind UTRGV Athletics. Rally the Valley has become both a rallying cry and a hashtag for not only athletics, but the university, as its meaning has grown to mean both rallying the Valley behind UTRGV and UTRGV rallying in support of the Rio Grande Valley.
Part of rallying the Valley is making community service a priority, and UTRGV ranked sixth in the nation in community service hours in 2023-24.
Academically, UTRGV student-athletes have thrived, currently sporting a department record 3.35 cumulative grade point average.
UTRGV athletic programs have experienced significant competitive success during Conque’s first five years, most recently including the volleyball team winning the 2022 Western Athletic Conference Championship and the department earning the 2022-23 South Texas Showdown Championship.
Thanks to Conque’s efforts, the UTRGV Vaqueros can now be found in stores, banks and restaurants across the Valley, as UTRGV Athletics has partnered with 5x5 Brewing Co. in Mission to create the first branded beer in the UT System – Los Vaqueros, Tio Pelon’s, whose founders are from McAllen, to create Vaqueros Especial Salsita, Texas Regional Bank to launch the UTRGV debit card, and The Jank, whose founder lives in Weslaco, to create Vaqueros Gourmet Barbecue Sauce.
Conque and his wife, Lisa, have three daughters: twins Julianna and Sydney, who are 12, and Adeline, who is 10.
