There is no color like orange

The Athletics Department will host UTRGV Madness at 9 p.m. Friday in the Fieldhouse.

The event serves as an introduction to both the men’s and women’s basketball teams, along with the annual UTRGV Madness Dance Off.

“We’re very excited to have our biggest event of the year in the Fieldhouse coming up so soon already,” said Senior Athletic Marketing and Promotion Coordinator Sarah Hernandez. “All the students are always invited and we’re always excited to present our basketball teams.

Every year, different UTRGV departments come together to make this event possible.

“[The] student organization dance-off is our tradition for Madness,” Hernandez said. “It’s different than what happens in other universities. What we do is call out all the student orgs at UTRGV and they can sign up to participate in a dance-off. They get two minutes to dance during Madness, and then we just decide the winner.”

Categories include Best Choreography, Best Music Mix, People’s Choice, Most Creative Attire and Best Rookie Organization.

UTRGV Athletics Director Chasse Conque will attend his first-ever Madness event as part of the panel of judges.

Giveaways include personalized jerseys (UTRGV Athletics); two pairs of AirPods, which will be raffled at the event (UTRGV Auxiliary Services); prize to the winner of the Student Org Dance Off (Top Golf); Taco Palenque for a
year; and a gift basket from Raising Cane’s.

“I think this event is one of the most special events we have here on campus,” said Women’s Basketball Head Coach Lane Lord. “We have our student body doing all kinds of dance routines, talent shows. … Combine that with the student athletes, we all get to come to one place and do all this together. It’s a special day for all of us.”

Lord encourages students to attend the event and support the UTRGV athletes.

“We really need our students to support our athletics, and our athletes wanna support our students, so what a great way to put us all together,” he said. “It’s all about developing that culture of one family. Rally the [Rio Grande] Valley together, and if we’re all on the same page, and we’re all together, great things can happen for not just the students, but also the student athletes.”

Junior guard Javon Levi believes Madness provides an opportunity to get to know fellow students.

“I believe it’s good for the school as a whole,” Levi said. “Introducing the basketball team to the students and helping us get familiar with the students as well, so we gotta work hand in hand because we need them just as much as they need us.”

Redshirt junior guard Amara Graham agreed.

“I think it’s important for students and athletes to come together to support and, just, really get us ready for the season,” Graham said. “I know … Madness is a big night for us. It really gets us excited and ready to go out there and step on hardwood.”

Student Activities, Campus Activities Board, Student Union and The Herd will also join
the celebration.

The Herd will mark its second anniversary hosting the event with a birthday bash at 7 p.m. Wednesday on the Quad in Edinburg and the Library lawn in Brownsville.

Spirit Week will lead into Madness with a series of events at the Student Union.

“It’s a combination of basketball and student orgs, … a celebration of spirit,” Hernandez said. It’s important because athletes play for our students. Every time they’re out there wearing a UTRGV T-shirt, or their uniforms or their jerseys, they’re representing our students. That’s why we throw this big celebration for our students, so they can get to know our athletes and they can see how they’re being represented out there in the nation.”