Texas Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros Men's Basketball
The Texas Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros Men's Basketball team is a Division I program competing in the Western Athletic Conference (WAC). The team represents the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) and has a rich history dating back to its establishment in 1969. The Vaqueros have made several appearances in various postseason tournaments and have produced numerous talented players over the years.
The History of Texas Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros Men's Basketball
The Texas Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros Men's Basketball program was established in 1969 as part of Pan American University, which later became UTRGV. The team had a slow start, but they quickly gained momentum in the 1970s under the leadership of head coach Bill Hickey. Hickey led the Vaqueros to their first-ever postseason appearance in 1972 when they qualified for the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) tournament.
Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, the Vaqueros continued to improve and make appearances in various postseason tournaments, including the NCAA Division II tournament and the National Invitation Tournament (NIT). In 1991, the team won its first-ever conference championship when they captured the Lone Star Conference title.
Following the turn of the millennium, the Vaqueros joined the NCAA Division I ranks and competed in the Great West Conference. The team made its first-ever appearance in the CollegeInsider.com Tournament (CIT) in 2013 and made back-to-back appearances in 2018 and 2019. The Vaqueros joined the WAC in 2013 and have been competing in the conference ever since.
The Vaqueros' Home Arena
The Texas Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros Men's Basketball team plays its home games at the UTRGV Fieldhouse, which has a seating capacity of 8,000. The arena opened in 1969 and has undergone several renovations over the years. The UTRGV Fieldhouse is a state-of-the-art facility that provides an ideal environment for the Vaqueros to compete in front of their fans.
Notable Players
The Texas Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros Men's Basketball program has produced several talented players over the years. One of the most notable players in the program's history is Gino Littles, who played for the Vaqueros from 1970 to 1974. Littles was a three-time NAIA All-American selection and is considered one of the greatest players in the program's history.
Another notable player is Danuel House Jr., who played for the Vaqueros from 2012 to 2015. House was a two-time All-WAC selection and was named the WAC Player of the Year in 2015. He went on to have a successful NBA career, playing for several teams including the Houston Rockets and the Washington Wizards.
The Future of Texas Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros Men's Basketball
The Texas Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros Men's Basketball team has a bright future ahead. The team has made several improvements in recent years, and they are poised to make a deeper run in postseason tournaments in the near future. The Vaqueros have a talented roster of players and an experienced coaching staff that is working hard to take the team to new heights.
The future is looking bright for the Texas Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros Men's Basketball team, and fans can expect to see great things from this program in the years to come.
