I grew up down in the RGV, so it’s refreshing to see the RGV finally embrace the athletic program down there after years of it being an after thought. It had its moments such as when the Broncs were winning basketball games under a young buck named Lon Kruger and the Fieldhouse drew some crowds. But at the same time the baseball team was competitive during the era under Al Ogletree and the interest was just not there. They used to host back to back tourneys for which teams from the Big 10 and other parts of the snow belt would spend the better part of February and March down in Edinburg which indeed helped get Pan American Baseball on the map nationally.
Fast forward to the present and the thing that is finally helping the athletic program overall is the business community finally opening its wallets whether it be some of the local fat cats or national brands. With all the growth the region has enjoyed, much like we see in Austin or San Antonio, they see the benefit now of being associated with the local college sports program. As much as I hate to say it because I have a place in my heart for Texas A&I, it’s athletic program is hanging on for dear life and in particular football because UTRGV football is going to suck the remaining oxygen out it.