EDINBURG – The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) Department of Intercollegiate Athletics announced on Wednesday that the refinishing of Sam Williams Court is complete.

The center of the court now includes UTRGV Athletics' new primary mark, a V, which stands for Valley, with a lone star in the middle. The Navy Blue baselines are adorned with white text spelling out Rio Grande Valley. The sidelines and lane are now Kelly Green. The circles and arc are now Navy Blue, with the Western Athletic Conference logo painted in white below the free throw lines. The Sam Williams Court wording remains in the same areas.

An inaugural member of the UTPA Athletics Hall of Fame in 2007, Williams was also inducted into the Rio Grande Valley Sports Hall of Fame. Known as the "Father of Broncs Basketball," Williams served the University as an educator for more than three decades, and coached the Broncs to 11 winning seasons, including four of at least 20 wins, in 15 years (1959-73). He remains the program's all-time winningest coach with 244 victories.

Williams led the Broncs to the 1963 NAIA National Championship, and, after coaching the Broncs right back to the title game in what was their third-straight post-season appearance in 1964, Williams earned the NAIA National Coach of the Year award.

"We think it is important to honor both legacy institutions, UTPA and UTB, as we transition into UTRGV. Part of that is by having a good combination of both institutions' primary colors, and part of that is by continuing to celebrate the success and historic significance of Sam Williams." UTRGV Director of Athletics Chris King said. "The refinished court will also allow us to show off the Rio Grande Valley in a more significant way on the national stage. When fans from out of town watch our games, whether on television or online, they will see sharp new graphics, including the V for Valley, and the wording Rio Grande Valley on both sides of the court. This will help us to better represent the community across the nation and around the world."

One of the new features of the new court will be new courtside seating to go with the new colors, as the department will be purchasing new Navy Blue chairs with the UTRGV logo on them.

Another new feature on the court is the Church's Chicken logos on each side, as the company recently entered into a significant promotional partnership with UTRGV Athletics.

"We are thrilled to be a part of history and new tradition in the Rio Grande Valley," Church's Chicken Marketing Coordinator Sergio Perez said. "At Church's we are committed to the education of young people across the country, and today, alongside UTRGV, we look forward to making a positive impact in South Texas."

The refinished court is just the start of the renovations to the field house, as additional graphics and signage will be installed as part of the rebranding process over the summer.

The first event on the court will be next week, as men's basketball hosts its camp June 1-4.

Women's basketball will also hold a camp on Sam Williams Court June 15-18, with a soon to be announced volleyball camp to follow in July.

The first sporting event on the court will take place on Sept. 4 at 11 a.m., when the volleyball team kicks off the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Tournament against Incarnate Word.
 
About Church's Chicken®
Founded in San Antonio, TX in 1952 by George W. Church, Church's Chicken® is one of the largest quick service restaurant chicken chains in the world. Church's® specializes in Original and Spicy Chicken freshly prepared throughout the day in small batches that are hand-battered and double-breaded, Tender Strips®, sandwiches, honeybutter biscuits made from scratch and freshly baked, and classic, home-style sides all for a great value. Church's® (along with its sister brand Texas Chicken® outside the Americas) has more than 1,650 locations in 23 countries and international territories and system-wide sales of more than $1 billion. For more information, visit www.churchs.com. Follow Church's® on Facebook at www.facebook.com/churchschicken and Twitter at www.twitter.com/churchschicken.

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