ABILENE – The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) Vaqueros women’s basketball team fell to the Abilene Christian Wildcats 69-65 on Saturday at Moody Coliseum.

Sophomore Iyana Dorsey led the Vaqueros (7-11, 1-6 WAC) with a career-high 34 points and two steals. Junior Mele Kailahi scored 10 points with four rebounds and two steals. Sophomore Deborah Ogayemi finished with nine points and eight rebounds.

Addison Martin led the Wildcats (9-10, 3-4 WAC) with 21 points and five rebounds. Male Langstaff scored 18 points with nine rebounds.

Dorsey used 3-pointers to bookend a game-opening 10-0 run over the first 2:07. The Wildcats scored the next seven points. The Vaqueros pushed back twice, as a Dorsey 3 and a layup by junior Jena’ Williams extend the lead to six, but the Wildcats closed the first quarter on a 7-0 run to go up 16-15.

The Wildcats extended their last to seven twice early in the second quarter before a Dorsey 3 sparked a 12-5 run to tie the game at 29. Then, after the Wildcats regained the lead, Williams came up with a steal that led to a Kailahi 3 to put the Vaqueros up 32-31 at halftime.

The Vaqueros led by as much as four in the third quarter, going up 41-37 on a pair of Dorsey free throws at the 5:27 mark. The Vaqueros still led by three at 45-42 on a layup by junior Tiffany McGarity, but the Wildcats scored the final five points of the quarter to go up 47-45.

The Vaqueros pulled within 49-48 on a 3-pointer by sophomore KaCee Kyle early in the fourth quarter. The Vaqueros were again within one at 56-55 on an Ogayemi layup with 3:42 remaining.

Then, down 59-55, the Vaqueros tied the game with 1:30 to play on back-to-back Dorsey layups.

The Wildcats went up 63-59 before a Dorsey jumper brought the Vaqueros within two with 25.2 seconds remaining.

Then, down five, a McGarity 3 brought the Vaqueros within 67-65 with 8.6 seconds left, but that’s as close as they got.

UTRGV visits Sam Houston on Saturday, Jan. 28 at 2 p.m. Fans can watch domestically on ESPN+ or internationally via WAC International.

The UTRGV Athletics Hall of Fame Committee announced the 2023 Athletics Hall of Fame class Thursday, which includes the 1975-78 men’s tennis teams, former baseball student-athletes Mike Duffey (1968-71) and Hector Salinas (1965-68), and former women’s basketball student-athlete Bianca (Torre) Salinas (2009-13).

The committee also announced that former baseball, track & field and cross country student-athlete D. Joe Williams (1954-57) has earned induction into the Hall of Honor.

The Athletics Hall of Fame and Hall of Honor induction luncheon is scheduled to take place at 11 a.m. March 4 at the UTRGV Ballroom in Edinburg.

Space is limited and those planning to attend are asked to RSVP in advance by calling (956) 665-4069 or sending an email to [email protected].

1975-78 men’s tennis teams

Finished seasons in top 25 in the national rankings for four consecutive years — No. 24 in 1975, No. 18 in 1976, No. 14 in 1977 and No. 10 in 1978 … Ranked as high as No. 8 in 1978 … Ricardo Eynaudi and Antonio Hartmann represented Pan American at NCAA championships in 1975 and 1976 … Hall of Famer Rob Hubbard selected for 1977 NCAA singles and doubles in first year of official invites based upon merit, along with Eynaudi for doubles … Hubbard, Sean Sorensen and John Picken were selected in 1978 but did not compete as a protest for the team not being selected for the 16-team field for the team championships, despite being ranked No. 8 at the time (ranking dropped to No. 10 after the NCAA championships despite the team not playing) … Pan American was the official host of the 1975 and 1976 NCAA championships held at the H-E-B Tennis Center in Corpus Christi. Teams featured some of the winningest players in program history, including Robert Bettauer, who ranks second in career singles wins (79) and fourth in total wins (130), Picken, who is tied for third in singles wins (78), fifth in doubles wins (56) and third in total wins (134); Hubbard, who is tied for fourth in singles wins (62); and Eynauldi, who is third in doubles wins (64).

“I am sure I can speak for the rest of the team members when I say that we are thrilled to be inducted into our alma mater’s Hall of Fame,” Hubbard said. “With Coach (Dennis) Conner’s team, vision and recruiting class of 1974-75, the program became a presence on the national top 25 scene for the next four years, reaching a ranking as high as No. 8 in 1977-78. It is an honor to be recognized for these accomplishments at the university that had such a positive impact on our lives.”

Mike Duffey, baseball, 1968-71

1971 The Sporting News All-American Honorable Mention … Helped team to lone College World Series appearance … 1970 All-District VI selection.

“It’s a great honor, especially for a guy who played small ball like me, to be honored this way,” Duffey said. “I often hit first or second and could bunt for a base hit or sacrifice to make sure the big guys in the middle of the lineup could get RBI opportunities. I’m also proud to able to represent my hometown of Edinburg and Edinburg High School in this way.”

Hector Salinas, baseball, 1965-68

1968 NCAA and AABC All-American … Hit .375 as a senior to earn team most valuable player honors … As a freshman, hit .306 (30-for-98) with three home runs, six doubles, three triples, 16 RBIs, and 13 runs scored as a freshman while going 1-1 with a 4.30 ERA, striking out 15 and scattering 14 hits and four walks in 14 innings … 2009 RGV Sports Hall of Fame inductee … 2012 Texas A&M-Kingsville Hall of Fame inductee … 2014 Lifetime Achievement Award at the South Texas Winter Baseball Banquet … Earned bachelor’s degree from Pan American University and has a Master’s from UT Brownsville … Passed away April 30, 2021 … The day before the induction ceremony would have been his 78th birthday.

“This is a great honor for my family and especially my mom, who also went to Pan American, which is where they met,” Salinas’ son, Orlando, said. “My dad had a great career there. He used to brag about holding the doubles record despite playing with a wooden bat and only about 40 games each year. He was through and through a Pan American loyalist. He loved the university and South Texas baseball. It’s a great honor and I wish he was still here to accept it, but I know he would be super excited to be honored by UTRGV.”

Bianca (Torre) Salinas, women’s basketball, 2009-13

Finished her career as program’s all-time leader in points (1,439, now second), assists (393), steals (226), free throws made (277, now second) and field goals attempted (1,250, now second). She also ranked second in field goals made (461, now third), and 3-pointers made (240). She also ranked third in free throw percentage (.780), free throws attempted (355, now fourth) and 3-pointers attempted (677, now fifth), and fourth in three-point field goal percentage (.355, now fifth) … Only player to earn All-Great West Conference honors four years in a row … 2012-13 UTPA Comeback Athlete of the Year … 2011-12 UTPA Female Athlete of the Year and Ms. Bronc … 2009-10 Great West Conference Newcomer of the Year and All-Newcomer Team … Holds program records for most 3-pointers (6) and free throws (13) made while hitting all shots in a single game … Scored 525 points in 2010-11, the fourth-highest single-season total in program history … Hit program record 132 free throws in 2010-11 … Holds two of the top-eight single-season assists totals and three of the top-nine single-season steals totals … One of only two players in program history to have at least two seasons with 64-plus 3-pointers made (the other is Hall of Famer Alex Gravel).

“Being inducted into the UTRGV Hall of Fame is so unreal,” Salinas said. “I’m honored and humbled that the Hall of Fame and Hall of Honor members voted me in. I thank God for blessing me with the ability to play a sport that I have loved for so many years. This award is shared with my family, and I want to thank them for always believing in me. To the Rio Grande Valley, I took great pride representing my hometown. Lastly, to the women’s basketball program, including my coaches and teammates, I want to thank them for playing an essential role in this honor. I could never have accomplished this alone.”

Hall of Honor

D. Joe Williams, baseball and track & field/cross country, 1954-57

Became the first African American to break the color barrier, integrate and participate in college athletics at a non-Historically Black College or University in Texas as the center fielder for the 1954 baseball team, hitting .262 to help the team to the Big State Conference championship. Won a pair of individual conference championships with the track & field team, taking titles in the 880-yard and one-mile runs … Born in Dobbin, grew up in McAllen … Attended Booker T. Washington High School, a segregated school that existed from 1941-57 … Scouted by St. Louis Browns in 1953 … One of the first African Americans to play in Junior League … Went on to coach at Charlie Brown High School in West Columbia for five years before coaching El Paso high schools for 47 years and helping found the El Paso Baseball Hall of Fame … Passed away Dec. 15, 2013 … The date of the induction ceremony would have been Williams’ 87th birthday.

“The induction of my father, D. Joe Williams, into the Hall of Honor is truly an honor and a tribute to his legacy,” Williams’ son, Dejeaux, said. “He persevered through a changing social climate and integrated collegiate sports in Texas in 1955 at what was then known as Pan American College. His accomplishments remind us that if you are committed to a task and are willing to persevere through all odds, you can achieve your dreams.”

For more information about the Athletics Hall of Fame and Hall of Honor, visit GoUTRGV.com/HallofFame.

UTRGV sophomore guard Iyana Dorsey is the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) Women’s Basketball Player of the Week, the WAC announced Monday.

Dorsey scored a career-high 31 points helping the Vaqueros to their first WAC win of the season by defeating Texas at Arlington 83-73 last Wednesday.

UTRGV sophomore guard Iyana Dorsey Photo Courtesy – UTRGV Athletics

Dorsey went 7-of-17 from the floor, including making four 3-pointers, while going 13-of-15 from the free throw line.

Dorsey’s 31-point performance is her second game of scoring 30+ points this season, which is the most in the WAC. Her 31 points also ties for the most points scored in a single game this season by a WAC player.

This is Dorsey’s second WAC Player of the Week honor after earning the honor on December 5.

This season, Dorsey is averaging 16.0 points per game and has also taken care of business at the free throw line by shooting .866 (71-82). Dorsey ranks third in the WAC in scoring and leads the WAC in free throw percentage while ranking fourth in 3-pointers made (2.08).

The Vaqueros will be back in action at 5 p.m. Wednesday when they travel to Stephenville to face Tarleton in WAC play.

The Western Athletic Conference (WAC) and ASUN Conference are partnering together to form a football-only league that will begin competing at the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) level in 2023 with the hopes of eventually becoming a Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) conference.

The ASUN-WAC Football partnership began with a combined group that built the ASUN-WAC Challenge in 2021. Featuring an automatic qualifier (AQ) into the FCS playoffs each of the past two years, the ASUN-WAC football group enters year three with nine participating institutions: Abilene Christian, Austin Peay State, Central Arkansas, Eastern Kentucky, North Alabama, Southern Utah, Stephen F. Austin State, Tarleton State and Utah Tech. The group will add the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) in the fall of 2025 when it begins sponsorship of football.

The ASUN Conference and the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) announced Thursday that its football partnership has adopted a basic governance structure and engaged Oliver Luck as Executive Director.

Luck begins his consulting role with the group effective immediately. The Council of Presidents will feature co-chairs David McFaddin, Eastern Kentucky University President, and James Hurley, Tarleton State University President, when the new conference officially begins play in 2023.

In 2016, Luck conducted a football feasibility study on the prospect of bringing Division I football to UTRGV along with former Texas and current North Carolina football head coach Mack Brown.

“I’m excited to work with 10 outstanding presidents who have a united vision to build their football programs,” said Luck. “Together, with WAC Commissioner Brian Thornton and ASUN Commissioner Ted Gumbart, we are going to build and execute a game plan for success. The NCAA is in a transformational stage and now is a great time to build a new football conference.”

Luck was a three-year starter at quarterback for West Virginia, finishing his career by leading the Mountaineers to a 26-6 win over Florida in the Peach Bowl. While becoming WVU’s all-time leader in touchdown passes and completions, he graduated magna cum laude as a 4.0 honor student in history and was a Rhodes Scholar finalist. Luck was selected by the Houston Oilers in the second round of the NFL draft and played with them from 1982 through 1986. He then earned his law degree from the University of Texas.

In his professional career he has worked with the NFL, served as General Manager of the Rhein Galaxy of the World League of American Football, and was President and CEO of NFL Europe. He adds experience as CEO of the Harris County-Houston Sports Authority and President of Major League Soccer’s Houston Dynamos. In 2010 Luck became Director of Athletics at his alma mater, leading the West Virginia program until 2015 when he became NCAA Executive Vice President of Regulatory Affairs. He later served as Commissioner of the XFL and is now Chairman of Altius Sports Partners.

“We have 10 presidents with the same goal – to elevate our institutions through outstanding academic programs, world-class faculty and staff and ALL of our Division I sports, including our historic football programs competing and winning at the highest possible level of competition and recognition,” said Eastern Kentucky University President David McFaddin. “With Oliver Luck’s leadership, we have added an important piece of that equation. This is an exciting time for our schools, our conferences and for the overall growth and strength of both the ASUN and the WAC.”

The UTRGV women’s basketball team scored a season-high 83 points to defeat the Texas at Arlington (UTA) Mavericks 83-73 on Wednesday at the College Park Center in Arlington for their first Western Athletic Conference win of the season.

The Vaqueros (7-7, 1-2 WAC) were led by sophomore Iyana Dorsey, who scored a career-high 31 points on 7-of-17 shooting and 13-of-15 from the free throw line. Junior Mele Kailahi scored 22 points on 7-of-11 shooting while tying a career-high with four three-pointers and four rebounds. Sophomore Deborah Ogayemi notched her second double-double with 12 points and a career-high 12 rebounds while junior Zariah Sango chipped in with nine points and six rebounds.

The Mavericks (7-8, 1-2 WAC) were led by Starr Jacobs who scored 16 points with four rebounds. Kayla White scored 14 points with four rebounds. Jireh Washington score 12 points with six rebounds and five assists and Taleyah Jones added 11 points.

The Mavericks led by as many as 12 points at 25-13 in the first quarter, but the Vaqueros put together an 8-0 run in the second behind Dorsey’s three-point play and three-pointer followed by Kailahi’s layup to get within 33-31 with 3:56 left in the half.

UTA pushed their lead to 42-33 with a 6-0 run but Kailahi grabbed some of that momentum back before the end of the half with another three-pointer to make it 42-36 going into the locker room.

The Vaqueros started the third quarter with a 7-2 run to get within 44-43 with all the points coming in the paint by Dorsey and Ogayemi. Later in the quarter, Ogayemi tied the game with a layup and then junior Zariah Sango made a layup of her own to give UTRGV the 51-49 lead, which they would never relinquish.

In the fourth, Dorsey started a 9-2 run with a pair of free throws and then capped it with a three-pointer, which extended UTRGV’s lead to 69-59. After another pair of free throws by Dorsey, junior Jena’ Williams knocked down a three-pointer to give the Vaqueros their biggest lead of the night at 74-57.

The Mavericks tried to climb back into the game with an 8-0 run, but the Vaqueros made 9-of-11 free throws down the stretch put keep UTA at bay.

The Vaqueros will be back in action when they visit Tarleton at 5 p.m. Wednesday at Wisdom Gym in Stephenville.

The UTRGV baseball team is receiving votes in Collegiate Baseball’s Fabulous 50 NCAA Division I Preseason Poll presented by Big League Chew, which was released Tuesday.

The Collegiate Baseball newspaper poll is the oldest college baseball poll, dating back to the 1959 college baseball season. This is the first time since 1986 that the baseball program has been recognized in Collegiate Baseball’s poll, when legacy institution Pan American University was ranked No. 25 in the final season poll. UTRGV received votes in two National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA) polls in 2021 (Feb. 22 and March 8).

“It’s a great honor for our program to be mentioned with the best teams in the nation and speaks highly to how far we’ve come over the last few years,” UTRGV baseball head coach Derek Matlock said. “It’s nice to be recognized in a preseason poll, but now we want to be in the poll at the end of the year because that means we’re in the NCAA Tournament. That’s what we want to do – win our conference and go to a regional.”

The Vaqueros went 33-25 in the 2022 season and finished 17-13 in the Western Athletic Conference (WAC), earning the Southwest Division’s No. 3 seed in the conference tournament. The Vaqueros return 18 student-athletes from the 2022 season, including senior Brandon Pimentel, who led UTRGV in seven offensive categories (batting average, runs, hits, doubles, homeruns, RBI, slugging percentage) and was named Collegiate Baseball’s National Player of the Week on March 7. Pimentel earned ABCA/Rawlings All-Central Region Second Team honors.

UTRGV opens its 2023 season on Feb. 17 with a three-game series against Houston Christian at UTRGV Baseball Stadium in Edinburg. The Vaqueros host six teams featured in Collegiate Baseball’s preseason poll, including No. 26 Central Michigan, No. 34 Houston, No. 36 Grand Canyon, Texas State (RV), California Baptist (RV) and Sam Houston (RV).

EDINBURG — It’s official.

UTRGV vice president and director of athletics Chasse Conque announced the hiring of Travis Bush as the first head football coach in program history Monday, another keystone moment as the Vaqueros charge full speed ahead with bringing Division I football to the Rio Grande Valley. Bush will build the UTRGV football program from the ground up and start with a practice season in 2024 before officially competing in its first season in 2025.

Bush has deep ties to the Rio Grande Valley and brings with him 14 years of NCAA Division I experience, eight years of high school coaching experience and one year spent coaching in the National Football League.

“Growing up in and around the Rio Grande Valley, I am extremely humbled and honored to be a part of history at UTRGV. There is no better place to start a Division I college football program in America right now than the Valley,” Bush said in a UTRGV news release. “When you look at the leadership in place with President Guy Bailey and Chasse Conque, the amazing team they have surrounded themselves with, and the plan they have put together to start this program, things are in place to do this better than it’s ever been done before. I am beyond excited and can’t wait to get down there and join the Vaqueros family.”

Bush will be introduced to the public and the media at a press conference at 11:30 a.m. Thursday at HEB Park in Edinburg. The event is open to the public. The press conference will also be streamed live via the @GoUTRGV on Twitter.

Bush is the son of Bruce Bush, a 2011 RGV Sports Hall of Fame and 2015 Texas High School Football Coaches Association Hall of Honor inductee and who served as head coach as PSJA High in 1981-82, Donna High in 1995-96 and PSJA North from 2008-2011. The younger Bush spent two years living in the Rio Grande Valley growing up while his father was head coach at PSJA High.

Travis Bush’s parents and older son, Treyson, live in McAllen. Bush’s mom, Ida (Palacios), is originally from Mercedes. Bush’s wife, Diana (Garcia), who goes by “Dee,” grew up in McAllen and went to McAllen Memorial High School. The Bushes also have a younger son, Tyler.

“We wanted someone who could check all the boxes, and Coach Bush checked so many boxes that we had to add more,” UTRGV president Dr. Guy Bailey said. “We’re excited to bring college football to the Valley, and I want to congratulate Chasse Conque and his team for finding the perfect coach to lead that charge.”

UTRGV football head coach Travis Bush. Photo via UTRGV Athletics

Bush’s stops at the collegiate levels include assistant head coach, offensive coordinator, quarterbacks coach, and running backs coach at Houston from 2012-14, offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) from 2010-12, associate head coach, co-offensive coordinator, quarterbacks coach and wide receivers coach at Texas State from 2004-10, and assistant offensive line coach and graduate assistant at Texas Christian (TCU) from 2001-04.

Bush helped to start the UTSA program from scratch and was in a similar situation to the one in which he currently finds himself at UTRGV, using 2010 as a practice year before winning four games with a team made up almost entirely of freshmen in 2011.

Most recently, Bush has spent the last two years as football head coach and athletic coordinator at New Braunfels Canyon. He held the same position at Seguin High School from 2016-2021. He was also a running backs and quarterbacks coachand special teams coordinator at San Marcos High School in 2000-01 working under his father.

Bush worked for the Buffalo Bills in 2015 as an offensive assistant coach, working with running backs and compiling advanced game plan studies.

“We are extremely excited to welcome Coach Bush, Dee, Trey, and Ty to the UTRGV family. Travis gives us a unique opportunity to hire a coaching veteran in the state of Texas with both statewide ties and strong connections to the Rio Grande Valley,” Conque said. “His experiences at both the college and high school levels, combined with his roots and love for the Rio Grande Valley, make him a perfect fit to help start and lead our football program. Coach Bush comes highly recommended, having worked with outstanding coaches throughout Texas at stops such as TCU, Texas State, Houston, and UTSA. Our program will benefit greatly from Coach Bush’s experience helping to launch the Division I program at UTSA, as well as his strong recruiting ties throughout Texas. This is yet another milestone day for UTRGV and Vaqueros Athletics. Coach Bush is the perfect person to help us build our program and #RallyTheValley for years to come.”

UTRGV Athletics

Bush turned around the New Braunfels Canyon program this season by leading the football team to its first nine-win regular season in 17 years while making its second playoff appearance in nine years. He developed the top wide receiver in Texas in Class 5A and the District 12-5A Offensive Most Valuable Player while seeing his team set a program record for most academic all-district awards with 42. After a week two victory, Bush was named coach of the week by the Hispanic Texas High School Football Coaches Association.

Bush rebuilt the Seguin program as well, leading the football team to its first district championship and Texas state playoff appearance in 12 years in 2018 and then winning the 2020 district championship as well. In 2020, Seguin averaged a program record 52 points per game while featuring the most academic all-district players of all time with 30.

While at Houston, Bush helped to lead his team to the 2014 Armed Force Bowl Championship by running a multiple spread, up-tempo offense. He also ran an air raid offense in 2012 and 2013, doing all the play calling after week one in 2012. He consistently recruited players from the Valley, Austin, Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio while going nationally to find quarterbacks as well. His 2014 quarterback, Greg Ward, finished eighth in the nation in pass completion percentage. Bush’s 2012 offense finished 10th in the nation in pass offense and 18th in total offense.

Bush was the wide receivers coach at Texas State for his first three seasons, helping his team to the FCS Semifinals in2005 after winning the Southland Conference Championship with an 11-3 record. Bush was promoted to associate head coach/co-offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach for the 2007-09 seasons, leading his team to the No. 25 ranking in the nation in 2009. Bush implemented a multiple spread offense, and the 2009 team ranked eighth in the nation in passoffense and 12th in total offense while quarterback Bradley George earned Southland Conference Player of the Yearhonors. The 2008 team won the Southland Conference Championship en route to the FCS playoffs while ranking fourth in the nation in scoring offense and fifth in total offense. George was sixth in the nation in pass efficiency. The 2007 teamranked 19th in the nation in total offense.

Bush started his collegiate coaching career with TCU, helping his team to three-straight bowl appearances. In 2002, TCU won the Conference USA and Liberty Bowl Championships. During his final two seasons, TCU went a combined 21-4.

Bush’s first coaching job was with San Marcos High School in 2000-01, when he helped his team to an 11-1 record and a district championship before finishing as a regional finalist.

Bush played collegiately at Texas State as a wide receiver from 1995-99, serving as the special teams captain in 1999. He graduated in 2000 with a Bachelor of Exercise and Sports Science with certifications in math and physical education.Bush completed his Master of Education Administration at TCU in 2003.

Bush was a three-year varsity letter winner and all-state quarterback while serving as team captain at Gregory-Portland High School. He also lettered in varsity track & field for three years while competing in varsity golf for one season.

Bush is a member of the American Football Coaches Association, the Texas High School Coaches Association (THSCA), the Hispanic Texas High School FootballCoaches Association, and the Texas High School Athletic Director’s Association.

Season ticket deposits for the inaugural season of UTRGV football will be accepted starting Thursday at UTRGVTickets.com. The Vaqueros will take the field for their first season of competition in 2025.

What They’re Saying About Travis Bush
UTSA Head Coach Jeff Traylor
UTRGV hired the perfect fit with Travis Bush. Travis is an exceptional football coach with deep ties in Texas. He and his father, Bruce, have been part of the THSCA for many years, and the Bush name is very well respected across the state. He also has experience in starting a program, as he did here at UTSA. UTRGV hired the right man for the job, and I look forward to seeing Travis take that program to great heights.

Former UTSA and Miami Head Coach Larry Coker
Coach Bush is the perfect person for this job. He is a hard worker with a great football background and was instrumental in launching our program at UTSA.

Current Texas Special Assistant to the Head Coach Gary Patterson
Coach Bush has always been successful at anything he has done. Travis is a hard worker, great recruiter, and a people person with great leadership ability with Texas high school ties. Great hire!

San Francisco 49ers Assistant Head Coach/Running Backs Coach Anthony Lynn
I’ve known Travis for a decade. He’s a man of high character and integrity. He is a great example and leader to young men. He comes from a rich football background and brings a wealth of knowledge with him from helping to launch the football program at UTSA. Coach Bush has a broad understanding of how to build a culture that will always compete and get the most out of players on and off the field.

Florida Atlantic Head Coach Tom Herman
UTRGV hit a home run with Travis Bush! He’s not only a phenomenal coach, but he’s proven himself as a great recruiter and leader in this profession. His connections with Texas high school coaches and the Rio Grande Valley make him a perfect fit for the job!

Former Texas State, Rice, and Texas A&M-Commerce Head Coach David Bailiff
Travis is a very dynamic young coach who builds relationships with his players and peers. He has grown up in the game and has extensive knowledge in game planning and strategy. Travis is a great coach, but an even better person, husband, and dad. He puts people first.

Former UTSA Quarterback Eric Soza
Coach Bush took a genuine interest in me as a player and person. He helped mold me to not only be the best quarterback I could be, but more importantly, he helped mold me into the man I am today. He has been a mentor for me as a player and coach. As a player, I was excited to execute the game plan week in and week out. As a coach who worked with him, I saw a man who put his heart and soul into his work each and every day.

Former Texas State Quarterback and 2022 Texas State Hall of Honor Inductee Bradley George
I can’t count how many coaches I had over roughly 25 years involved in athletics in multiple sports, but Coach Bush is hands down the one that I learned the most from and respect the most. I think I speak for plenty of his former players that it was truly an honor and a blessing to play for him at Texas State. There were many offensive school records broken in my time there but none of them would have occurred if Coach Bush wasn’t the man behind the scenes setting his players up for success. I would still to this day follow him if he asked me to.

Mississippi State Running Backs Coach Jason Washington
I’m excited to see what my lifelong friend, Coach Bush, will build at UTRGV. He has an innovative mind for the game combined with high energy and a commitment to building relationships with players and the community. Coach Bush is a touchdown hire. The future is bright for UTRGV!

The UTRGV women’s basketball team dominated the Houston Christian Huskies 68-51 with a wire-to-wire nonconference victory on Thursday at Sharp Gym.

Coming off a 30-point performance on Tuesday, sophomore Iyana Dorsey led the Vaqueros (4-3) with 21 points and three assists. Freshman Charlotte O’Keefe posted her first-career double-double with a career-high 13 points and a career-high 11 rebounds. Sophomore Deborah Ogayemi added 11 points with eight rebounds.

Julija Vujakovic led the Huskies (3-3) with 12 points and four rebounds. Abbey Sutherland recorded a double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds and Kennedy Wilson chipped in with eight points and four rebounds.

O’Keefe got the scoring started with a layup as the Vaqueros took the lead and never looked back. The Vaqueros went 4-of-6 from beyond the arc in the first quarter to help take control of the game early on. Ogayemi, juniors Halie Jones and Mele Kailahi each hit a three-pointer to help UTRGV to an 13-3 lead in the first five minutes After a couple of free throws from Dorsey, sophomore KaCee Kyle hit another three-pointer to stretch the Vaqueros lead to 18-8.

O’Keefe got the second quarter started with a three-pointer that kicked off a 9-0 for the Vaqueros. Dorsey then knocked down back-to-back three-pointers to push UTRGV’s lead to 33-16. Later in the quarter, Dorsey knocked down a pair of free throws and then knocked down another three giving the Vaqueros their biggest lead of the half at 38-20. The Vaqueros went 10-for-10 from the free throw line in the first half, including four free throws by Kailahi in the final minutes of the second, as they took the 42-26 lead into halftime.

The Huskies came out in the second half with a 10-2 run capped by a three-pointer by Enya Maguire that cut into UTRGV’s lead at 44-36 but Vaqueros closed out the quarter with a 6-2 run that pushed their lead to 50-38.

Jones got a layup to start the scoring in the fourth as the Vaqueros put together a 14-5 run to give them their largest lead of the night at 64-43 to keep the Huskies at bay.

The Vaqueros be back in action on Saturday, Dec. 3, when they travel to face the Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Islanders, as part of the South Texas Showdown, presented by Navy Army Community Credit Union, at 2 p.m. at the American Bank Center.

The UTRGV baseball team released its schedule for the 2023 season Tuesday featuring 55 games and the first home series against Houston since 1995 scheduled for March 3-5.

The Vaqueros open the season at UTRGV Baseball Stadium on Feb. 17 against Houston Christian. They will play 31 home games headlined by series against Central Michigan and Houston, as well as a midweek game against Texas State.

Fans can purchase season tickets online at UTRGVTickets.com or by contacting the UTRGV Ticket Sales and Operations team of Eddie Galvan (956-665-3415) and Ryela Rodriguez (956-665-3747) over the phone or through email at [email protected].

“It’s another tough schedule,” UTRGV head coach Derek Matlock said. “We’ve always played pretty good at home, so you hope that with a lot of home games, we can take care of business because we have some of the best teams in the conference coming here in California Baptist, Sam Houston and Grand Canyon, so you hope that’s a big advantage for us. It’ll be exciting for the fans. Outstanding teams coming here and it’ll be a lot of great baseball.

“Central Michigan was an at-large postseason team last year and has a lot of guys back. We’ve got our hands full because they’re not easy,” Matlock continued. “Houston coming in for a three-game series, that’s going to be a really attractive one. That’s a historical program that’s always in the Top 25. It’ll be an exciting weekend. Texas State is coming off a regional, one game away from the supers. It’s a really tough schedule from top to bottom.”

UTRGV opens the season Feb. 17-19 with a three-game home series against Houston Christian. The Vaqueros remain at home for the first 11 games of the season. They’ll play five-straight against Central Michigan, one of three postseason teams UTRGV hosts this season, starting with a single game on Feb. 21 and followed by a four-game series Feb. 24-26. UTRGV closes the homestand with a three-game set against Houston as part of the Hall of Fame and Hall of Honor induction weekend and Varsity Club weekend March 3-5.

The Vaqueros will play one game at Rice and then return to UTRGV Baseball Stadium for an eight-game homestand starting with a Western Athletic Conference (WAC) opening series against California Baptist March 10-12. UTRGV hosts Texas A&M-Corpus Christi as part of the South Texas Showdown, presented by Navy Army Community Credit Union, on March 14 and closes the homestand with a conference series against Sam Houston State March 17-19 and a single game against UTSA on March 21.

After a trip to New Mexico State for a conference series March 24-26, UTRGV returns home for a single game against Texas State on March 28, a WAC series against Tarleton March 31-April 2 and game two of the South Texas Showdown presented by Navy Army Community Credit Union against Texas A&M-Corpus Christi on April 4.

The Vaqueros will play 11 games on the road in April, starting with a three-game series at Houston Christian, the South Texas Showdown presented by Navy Army Community Credit Union finale at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, a three-game WAC series at Utah Valley, and a single game at Incarnate Word.

The Vaqueros return home for a conference series against Abilene Christian April 21-23 and a single game against Incarnate Word, then close the month with a conference series at UT Arlington April 28-30.

UTRGV opens May with a non-conference game at TCU on May 2 before heading to Sacramento State for a conference series May 5-7. The Vaqueros visit Texas A&M, which played in the 2022 College World Series, in College Station on May 9. The final home series of the regular season is a three-game WAC set against Grand Canyon May 12-14. The Vaqueros close out the regular season with one game at Lamar on May 16 and a three-game WAC series at Stephen F. Austin May 18-20.

The top eight teams advance to the WAC Tournament, which is scheduled for May 23-27 at Hohokam Stadium in Mesa, Ariz. The WAC Tournament Champion earns an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.

“The WAC is a 13-team conference and only eight make it to the conference tournament, so we better be ready to play when conference comes,” Matlock said. “California Baptist was one of the best teams the last three years and now they’re eligible for the tournament, and you throw in Utah Tech, they’re outstanding, too. We’d like to get into regionals, whether through the WAC Tournament or as an at-large bid, and if you don’t play the best teams, you can’t get an at-large. If we can take care of teams like TCU and Texas A&M on the road, then you got a chance to get an at-large.”

Outside of the Central Michigan series, all home games except for Sunday contests are scheduled to start at 6:30 p.m. and Sunday home games will start at 12 p.m. Gates open one hour prior to first pitch.

2023 UTRGV BASEBALL SCHEDULE
Date   Opponent   Time
Feb. 17   Houston Christian   6:30 p.m.
Feb. 18   Houston Christian   6:30 p.m.
Feb. 19   Houston Christian   Noon
Feb. 21   Central Michigan   6:30 p.m.
Feb. 24   Central Michigan   3 p.m.
Feb. 24   Central Michigan   6:30 p.m.
Feb. 25   Central Michigan   11 a.m.
Feb. 26   Central Michigan   11 a.m.
Mar. 3   Houston   6:30 p.m.
Mar. 4   Houston   6:30 p.m.
Mar. 5   Houston   Noon
Mar. 7   at Rice   TBD
Mar. 10   California Baptist   6:30 p.m.
Mar. 11   California Baptist   6:30 p.m.
Mar. 12   California Baptist   Noon
Mar. 14   Texas A&M-CC   6:30 p.m.
Mar. 17   Sam Houston State   6:30 p.m.
Mar. 18   Sam Houston State   6:30 p.m.
Mar. 19   Sam Houston State   Noon
Mar. 21   Texas-San Antonio   6:30 p.m.
Mar. 24   at New Mexico State   TBD
Mar. 25   at New Mexico State   TBD
Mar. 26   at New Mexico State   TBD
Mar. 28   Texas State   6:30 p.m.
Mar. 31   Tarleton   6:30 p.m.
Apr. 1   Tarleton   6:30 p.m.
Apr. 2   Tarleton   Noon
Apr. 4   Texas A&M-CC   TBD
Apr. 6   at Houston Christian   2 p.m.
Apr. 7   at Houston Christian   2 p.m.
Apr. 8   at Houston Christian   1 p.m.
Apr. 11   at Texas A&M-CC   TBD
Apr. 14   at Utah Valley   TBD
Apr. 15   at Utah Valley   TBD
Apr. 16   at Utah Valley   TBD
Apr. 18   at Incarnate Word   TBD
Apr. 21   Abilene Christian   6:30 p.m.
Apr. 22   Abilene Christian   6:30 p.m.
Apr. 23   Abilene Christian   Noon
Apr. 25   Incarnate Word   6:30 p.m.
Apr. 28   at UT Arlington   TBD
Apr. 29   at UT Arlington   TBD
Apr. 30   at UT Arlington   TBD
May 2   at Texas Christian   6 p.m.
May 5   at Sacramento State   TBD
May 6   at Sacramento State   TBD
May 7   at Sacramento State   TBD
May 9   at Texas A&M   6 p.m.
May 12   Grand Canyon   6:30 p.m.
May 13   Grand Canyon   6:30 p.m.
May 14   Grand Canyon   Noon
May 16   at Lamar   6 p.m.
May 18   at Stephen F. Austin   TBD
May 19   at Stephen F. Austin   TBD
May 20   at Stephen F. Austin   TBD
May 23-27 WAC Tournament   TBD
Jun. 2-5   NCAA Regionals   TBD
Jun. 9-11   NCAA Super Regionals   TBD
Jun. 16-26 College World Series   TBD

The UTRGV men’s basketball team lost its season opener to the Kansas State Wildcats 93-59 on Monday at Bramlage Coliseum in Manhattan, Kansas.

Senior Justin Johnson led the Vaqueros with 20 points on 6-of-12 shooting, including 2-of-2 from behind the arc and 6-of-8 from the line. Freshman Adante’ Holiman, making his collegiate debut, scored 13 points on 3-of-5 shooting.

Sophomore Sherman Brashear hit UTRGV’s first basket of the season, a 3-pointer, with 16:53 left during the half, but the Wildcats jumped out to a 15-3 advantage during the first six minutes and did not look back.

Nae’Qwan Tomlin led the Wildcats with 14 points, eight rebounds and one block, while Markquis Nowell added 14 points, seven assists and four steals.

The Vaqueros (0-1, 0-0) return home for their next two contests, beginning with their 2022 home opener at 7 p.m. Saturday against Southwestern Adventist at the UTRGV Fieldhouse in Edinburg.