UTRGV celebrated its second annual Homecoming Week, building Vaquero spirit, tradition and pride on both campuses through a variety of activities and friendly competitions between student organizations.
The Edinburg and Brownsville campuses celebrated the Tip-Off party Feb. 20 with music from a DJ and the UTRGV Pep Band, free food and various activities, such as bottle painting, a lip sync battle, temporary tattoos and mini-games provided by University Recreation Center and the Campus Programming Board.
The UTRGV Pep Band performs outside the Ballroom in Edinburg to welcome students and athletes to the Homecoming Tip-Off Party Feb. 20. LESLEY ROBLES/THE RIDER
The Vaquero Olympics began Feb. 20 in Edinburg, a competition for student organizations and groups of four to six members to hold ultimate bragging rights by completing different tasks and earning points.
The challenges were scattered around the Recreation Center. The Flag Football, Putt-Putt, Sink It, Survival Chess and Wall Climbing competitions took place inside the Rec Center while the Lawn Medley obstacle course was played out on the outdoor basketball court.
Staverne Joseph, the intramural student supervisor, said the games are not just about serious sports but also for students to enjoy and connect with others.
“We have games indoor, outside and the lawn games,” Joseph said. “It’s just a way to connect with the students and have them have fun.”
Participating students were excited for the challenges ahead of them. Groups formed by organizations and groups of friends signed up for the competition.
“It’s a lot fun,” said Ruben Peña, a mechanical and electrical engineering freshman. “Me and some friends over here got together as a team, called ourselves the ‘Average Joes’ and it’s honestly one of the [most fun] things we’ve done all year, all semester actually.
“For us to come out here and just hang out with some good friends and good company and get a little exercise in, it’s a lot of fun.”
Criminal justice senior Luis Meza sprints with a football during the Vaquero Olympics, where students participated in a variety of events at the University Recreation Center in Edinburg. GABRIEL MATA/THE RIDER PHOTOS
Throughout the week, school activities continued to promote Vaquero pride and spirit. The Can-Struction event was both fun and beneficial, allowing student organizations to show their Vaquero pride and spirit through creative constructions of canned food, which was donated to the UTRGV Food Pantry.
Nominated Royals campaigned throughout the week to earn the students’ vote as the election was held and students voted online.
MSA student Oscar Zurita helps his team build a throne out of canned food. MARIO GONZALEZ/THE RIDER
The candidates were Amanda Aguilar, Abigail Alfaro, Cynthia Cantu, Maria Neyra, Jose Quintanilla, Daniel Ruiz and Gisela Saldana.
Glitter, mini-pompoms and fabric glue were laid out on the tables in the Student Union on both campuses for the DYI Swag Party, an event where students and student organizations created their own spirit flag while listening to live music.
Rehabilitation services sophomore and Rehab Club Treasurer Marcela Terrazas works on her banner during the DIY Swag Party last Tuesday in the Student Union in Edinburg. Student organizations were given a chance to be in the UTRGV Grand Champ competition to win $300. SARAH CARVAJAL/THE RIDER
On Wednesday, about 50 Brownsville students interacted with hypnotist Sailesh. During last year’s Homecoming Week, Sailesh hypnotized students on the Edinburg campus.
Hypnotist Sailesh Jiawan questions senior kinesiology and accounting major Martin Mejia, who is under hypnosis, during a show last Wednesday in Brownsville. For more about Jiawan, visit www.saileshthehypnotist.com. MICHELLE ESPINOZA/THE RIDER PHOTOS
Athletes from the UTRGV tennis and baseball teams served free pizza, Hot Cheetos with cheese and drinks during the Vaqueros Luncheon. Decorative mini-megaphones were displayed and given away. The students and athletes sang karaoke during the luncheon.
Meanwhile, the Brownsville campus celebrated Charro Days with the Charreada and welcomed Mr. Amigo 2016, Fernando Landeros Verdugo.
The Al and Joan Ogletree Plaza was unveiled last Friday before the UTRGV Baseball Team took on Prairie View A&M University in the Al Ogletree Classic on Coach Al Night. Ogletree is the legendary baseball head coach emeritus. He retired in 1997 with 1,217 career wins, and currently stands as the 30th winningest coach in NCAA history, according to the goutrgv.com website.
UTRGV Athletics inducted members into the school’s Hall of Fame last Saturday morning. The inductees were the 1980-81 men’s basketball team, former men’s basketball player Kenneth “Apple” Green, former women’s basketball player Becky (Dube) Thomas, former baseball players Jack Ewing and Jim Proctor, and former women’s tennis player Ellen Nelissen.
The Homecoming Cook-off and Tailgate took place all day Saturday, leading up to the men’s basketball team’s home game against Utah Valley University. Results were not available at press time. Student organizations and university departments entered their dishes of fajita, guacamole and elote for everyone to taste and vote on. The band Run With It played music during the celebration while various activities, such as face painting, dance competitions and free games, were going on. The Homecoming festivities ended with the burning of the UTRGV letters on the Edinburg campus.
Names of the winners in the 2017 Homecoming Royals election and the grand champion were unavailable at press time Thursday. They were scheduled to be announced on Saturday.
All events during Homecoming Week were sponsored and hosted by collaborations among the Student Union, Campus Programming Board, UTRGV Athletics, University Recreation and Housing and Residential Life.
