UTRGV Athletics brings the heat

The UTRGV Department of Intercollegiate Athletics announced a new partnership with award-winning salsa company Tio Pelon Salsita to create a consumable product called The Vaqueros Especial.        

Chasse Conque, UTRGV vice president and director of Athletics, said the department is currently working with Tio Pelon Salsita.

Jonah Goldberg, senior associate athletic director for Communications & Championships, said after the release of Los Vaqueros Beer, an immense amount of support from the community transpired.

“It’s getting people excited,” Goldberg said. “I think it’s this realization that we’ve arrived. This is big.”

The profits from the product will be going to support student athletes and are a part of the licensing program at UTRGV.

Goldberg said “D1.Ticker,” a reader’s digest about daily news on Division 1, releases information about consumables at college instutitions. He utilizes this as a resource for ideas and how to expand on them for future products of UTRGV.

Tio Pelon Salsita can be found in several different locations throughout the state. It can be bought at H-E-B locations in the Rio Grande Valley. There are also some gift shops, boutiques and stores that carry the salsa, Conque said.

“Hopefully, in early 2024 to mid 2024 we will be able to launch in H-E-B in the Rio Grande Valley,” said Oscar Javier Perez, Tio Pelon Salsita chief operating officer.

Perez said the process in creating the salsa began in November to December 2022.

Conque said the primary goal of creating the product is “expanding the brand of UTRGV.”

“We’re certainly open and eager to continue to engage with folks that want to create co-brand consumables that our students, faculty, staff, fans and alumni can enjoy,” he said. “Not just the product itself, but promoting their school spirit and pride in Vaqueros.”

The flavor of the salsa can be described as “roasted jalapeno and chili piquín salsa.”

“It has a very nice smokey flavor, with a nice kick,” Perez said. “It’s spicy.” 

Primarily, the salsa consists of chile piquín and dried spices, with the majority being jalapeno, he said.

“There’s a lot of logistics to it,” Perez said, referencing guidelines that must be followed when creating consumable products. “First, we had to get it approved by the [U.S. Food and Drug Administration]. We had to send it to a lab and get a test kit to make sure it’s a safe product to eat. 

“Once that is done, we have to go through an [Natural Resource Damages] process to get the salsa right and make sure we send the right recipe to the lab, as well as do an NRD for a label. Then we get labels ordered. Once we have all that placed, we are able to cook it and sell it in stores.”

The region of South Texas and North Mexico, where Perez is from, inspired the salsa concept. 

“It’s very typical to see chile piquín growing in a lot of places down there in the yard and backyards, ” Perez said.

He said it has enough spice and good flavor to it. 

“I would say it would be a seven and a half to eight on a scale of 10,” Perez said.

Conque said the Vaqueros Especial is going to be tailored to the UTRGV brand.

“If you’ve had other Tio Pelon Salsa, you know they are very good,” he added. “I’m confident that this is going to be an excellent addition to our brand, and also consumables that we are starting to see grow within our university and our athletics department.” 

The salsa is expected to be released in September. The item will be promoted at future UTRGV athletics games.         

Dulce Sanchez, a senior bilingual education major said, “I knew about the salsa, I saw it on Facebook. Maybe I’ll try it.”

Olivia Scott, a junior education major, said she is open to trying the salsa.

“That sounds interesting,” Scott said. “Depending if it’s spicy, definitely. If it’s mild, sure. If it’s like normal, then Iguess. Either way, yeah.”