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52-596: In 2015, the UT Brownsville merged with UT–Pan American , to form The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley . Texas Southmost College (TSC) was established in 1926 under the name "The Junior College of the Lower Rio Grande Valley." It admitted its first class on September 21 of that same year. In 1931, its name was changed to "Brownsville Junior College." In 1950, the institution was given the name, Texas Southmost College. In 1973, Texas Southmost College formed

104-453: A caricature and racial stereotype of Mexican, Latino, Chicano, and Hispanic culture. On January 29, 2015 Texas Representative Terry Canales proposed Texas House Bill 901 which called for postponement of the naming of the new mascot. On August 31, 2015, UTB and UTPA were officially dissolved and changed to the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. The name of the institution evolved over

156-410: A diploma from a recognized high school and a combined math/verbal SAT score of 860 or an ACT score of 18. Additionally, the minimum criteria were met with a SAT score of 810 or ACT score of 17 if the applicant is in the top third of his/her graduating class or an SAT score of 760 or ACT score of 16 sufficed if the applicant was in the top quarter of his/her graduating class. Any student who graduates from

208-467: A former Holiday Inn hotel complex, former condominiums, the Amigoland Mall , and many historic buildings of downtown Brownsville. The university continues to expand, recently purchasing substantial acreage east of Fort Brown. UTB was home to several academic centers and programs: The Student Government Association at UTB hosts the officers of the student body. The SGA runs a three-branch system, with

260-639: A new medical school. On August 31, 2015, UTPA formally ceased operations to yield to the newly formed university, the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley . Edinburg College was founded in 1927 as a junior college administered by the Edinburg School District . It was formally designated as a junior college in 1933 as Edinburg Junior College, and admitted to the Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools of Southern States . Hidalgo County held

312-520: A partnership with Pan-American University, later known as the University of Texas-Pan American (UTPA). The partnership allowed Pan-American University to establish a four-year university in Brownsville. The resulting independent institution was referred to as Pan American University at Brownsville. In 1989, Pan American University joined the University of Texas System , creating the University of Texas Pan-American at Brownsville (UTPA-B). Brownsville sought

364-453: A proposal to merge UTB, the University of Texas–Pan American , and a planned medical school into one regional institution. On December 12, 2013, the UT Board of Regents voted to name the new university The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley . On November 5, 2014, UTRGV's new nickname of Vaqueros was announced. Immediately, Students on both Campuses began protests objecting to the new name as

416-476: A recognized Texas high school as a member of the top 10% of his/her graduating class is guaranteed admission. In 1997, UTPA started the University Scholars Program in an attempt to retain top local high-school students. The program is an objective academic scholarship based on three tiers. The first tier is high-school graduation standing. The second tier is advanced placement testing. The third tier

468-521: A referendum for a four-year university in 1951; the school became Pan American Regional College on December 20, 1951. Its name changed to Pan American College in January 1952, followed by the appointment of a board of regents . The first graduate to receive a four-year degree was Harold W. Billings, BA, in 1953. It became the 22nd member institution of the Texas System of Colleges and Universities in 1965, as

520-499: A series of do-it-yourself home improvement videos, became the first college student-athlete known to have profited from an endorsement under the current rules. The NAIA sponsors 16 sports in which it conducts 28 annual championships (13 for men, 13 for women, 2 co-ed). The NAIA recognizes three levels of competitions: "emerging" (15 or more institutions sponsoring as varsity and declared), "invitational" (25 or more institutions sponsoring as varsity and declared for postseason, Approval of

572-434: A state senior college. Approved to offer graduate programs in 1970, the school began with Master of Arts , Master of Education , and Master of Science degrees. In 1971, Pan American College achieved full university status and changed its name to Pan American University. In the 20-year period from 1965 to 1984, enrollment grew from 2,000 to nearly 10,000. A second campus at Brownsville was established in 1973 (which became

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624-524: A tier 2 University. In Forbes ' 2009 best college rankings that heavily weighted proportion of graduates who obtain a job upon graduation, UTPA ranked 32nd among public universities and 218th among all universities. Among public schools in Texas, UTPA ranked only behind the University of Texas at Austin and Texas A&M. In 2009 UTPA ranked behind only Florida International University for bachelor's degrees awarded to Hispanic students. According to

676-508: A university directly under the UT System and in 1991 the University of Texas Pan-American at Brownsville became the University of Texas at Brownsville (UTB). After UTB was created, a partnership was established between UTB and TSC, allowing TSC students to seamlessly transition to the four year University without reapplying. The university has academic colleges including business, education, liberal arts and nursing. UTB-TSC's funding came from both

728-635: Is a college athletics association for colleges and universities in North America. Most colleges and universities in the NAIA offer athletic scholarships to their student athletes. Around $ 1.3 billion in athletic scholarship financial aid is awarded to student athletes annually. For the 2023–24 season, it had 241 member institutions , of which two are in British Columbia , one in the U.S. Virgin Islands , and

780-467: Is an all-female residence hall. At the end of 2009, Troxel Hall closed due to low capacity. In 2000 the Bronc Village Apartments were completed on north campus and offered students 1, 2 and 4 bedroom options. In fall 2006, Unity Hall was opened as the first new residence hall in more than 30 years; it has 204 double rooms and is divided into male and female wings. Heritage Hall, Unity Hall and

832-413: Is standardized testing scores. UTPA guaranteed full tuition funding for any student who meets one of many objective minimum requirements in all three tiers. UTPA's first- to second-year retention rate for full-time students was 71%. UTPA's four-year graduation rate is 13% and the 6-year graduation rate is 36%. The proportion of students who receive some sort of financial aid is 86%. All students under

884-726: The Chuck Taylor Most Valuable Player award since 1939, as well as the Charles Stevenson Hustle Award ("Charlie Hustle"), which was the basis for Pete Rose 's nickname, given to him by Whitey Ford . From 1992 to 2020, basketball was the only NAIA sport in which the organization's member institutions were aligned into divisions. Effective with the 2020–21 academic year, the NAIA returned to a single division for both men's and women's basketball. The NAIA has 21 member conferences, including 9 that sponsor football. Member institutions that are not

936-614: The NCAA Division I , in the Western Athletic Conference (WAC); UTRGV has maintained UTPA's WAC membership. It is one of five schools in the University of Texas System that compete in Division I. The other UT institutions that do so are Austin , El Paso , San Antonio , and Arlington . National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics ( NAIA ) established in 1940,

988-867: The Sting Radio . The Texas–Brownsville (UTB) athletic teams were called the Ocelots (formerly known as the Scorpions until after 2011–12 the school year). The university was a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), primarily competing in the Red River Athletic Conference (RRAC) from 2006–07 to 2014–15. UTB competed in seven intercollegiate varsity sports: Men's sports included baseball, cross country, golf and soccer; while women's sports include cross country, golf, soccer and volleyball. The UTB Ocelots women's volleyball team

1040-592: The University of Texas System . The university served the Rio Grande Valley and South Texas with baccalaureate, master's, and doctoral degrees. The Carnegie Foundation classified UTPA as a "doctoral research university". From the institution's founding until it was merged into the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV), it grew from 200 students to over 20,000, making UTPA the 10th-largest university in Texas . The majority of these students were natives of

1092-747: The Bronc Village apartments combined can hold around 800 students Before the UTRGV merger, the University of Texas–Pan American sponsored eight men's and nine women's teams in NCAA -sanctioned sports. About a year before the merger, the UT System announced that UTRGV would inherit the UTPA athletic program, and the UTPA Broncs officially became the UTRGV Vaqueros on July 1, 2015. The University of Texas–Pan American competed in

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1144-566: The NAIA, in partnership with the National Football League (NFL), announced the addition of flag football as a varsity sport for female student-athletes. The NAIA became the first collegiate governing body to sanction the sport at the varsity level. Women's flag began during the 2021 season as an emerging sport with about 15 teams. Name, image, and likeness reform — In October 2020, the NAIA passed legislation that allows student-athletes at its member institutions to be compensated for

1196-503: The National Administrative Council), and "championship" (40 or more institutions sponsoring as varsity, Minimum of two Invitationals held, Approval of the National Administrative Council). The association conducts, or has conducted in the past, championship tournaments in the following sports (year established). The NAIA men's basketball championship is the longest-running collegiate national championship of any sport in

1248-626: The National Association for Intercollegiate Basketball (NAIB) was formed in Kansas City, Missouri. In 1952 , the NAIB was transformed into the NAIA, and with that came the sponsorship of additional sports such as men's golf, tennis and outdoor track and field. Football in the NAIA was split into two divisions in 1970, based on enrollment (Divisions I and II); it was consolidated back into a single division in 1997. The 1948 NAIB national tournament

1300-541: The Rio Grande Valley. UTPA also operated an Upper Level Studies Center in Rio Grande City, Starr County, Texas. On August 15, 2014, Dr. Havidan Rodriguez was appointed interim President of UTPA, the institution's final leader. In 2015, UTRGV entered into operation following the merger of UTPA and UT–Brownsville , founded as an extension of then-Pan American University at Texas Southmost College. UTRGV also created

1352-570: The Starr County Upper-Level Center. Established in 1973, the Coastal Studies Laboratory (CSL) began as UTPA's marine biology laboratory and now serves the same role for UTRGV. It is located in the city of South Padre Island , which is located about 70 miles east of main campus. The CSL offers graduate-level biology courses and houses several ecological programs that are independent of UTPA. The McAllen Teaching Site

1404-482: The U.S. government, among schools with an enrollment of at least 5,000 students, UTPA ranked as the second-most affordable school in the nation. Historically, UTPA had open enrollment such that any student able to graduate from an approved public or private high school was granted admission. This policy was implemented by former president Miguel Nevarez. After Nevarez retired, UTPA moved towards minimum admission standards. The minimum standards for fall 2011 admission were

1456-530: The United States. The tournament was the brainchild of Dr. James Naismith , creator of the game of basketball; Emil Liston , athletic director at Baker University ; and Frank Cramer, founder of Cramer Athletic Products. The event began in 1937 with the inaugural tournament at Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City, Missouri. The 2017 men's championship marked the 80th edition of what has been tabbed College Basketball's Toughest Tournament. The tournament has awarded

1508-474: The University of Texas at Brownsville, and later merged with the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley). In December 1988, board members reached merger agreement with the University of Texas System pending state legislative approval (one of a series of similar mergers among state universities during that time), granted in September 1989. It adopted its final name subsequent to entry into the UT System, preserving

1560-419: The age of 21 who have earned fewer than 30 credit hours are required to reside on campus unless they are married, a parent, or have a permanent residence within 60 miles of campus. UTPA offers three residence halls and one building of community of on-campus apartments. Troxel Hall and Heritage Hall are the oldest residence halls on campus, and until 2000, were the only residence options for students. Heritage Hall

1612-642: The college tax district as well as the State of Texas. After failure to pass a 2002 multimillion-dollar bond, the TSC tax district voters successfully passed a $ 68 million bond issue to construct additional classrooms ($ 28 million), additional library space ($ 14 million), Workforce Training Classrooms ($ 17 million), Center for Early Childhood Studies ($ 4 million), and Center for Alzheimer's, Diabetes, Cancer, and Heart Disease ($ 5 million). Juliet V. García served as UTB-TSC President from 1991 to 2011; Garcia

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1664-920: The executive board consisting of the Student Body Officers, the Legislative Board consisting of the Student Senate, and the Judicial Board consisting of the Chief and Associate Justices. The university recognized more than 50 but less than 100 student organizations. In addition, it supported the Student Organization Council, an official student governance organization that represent student interests to faculty, and administrators. Sorority Students expressed their opinions in and outside of class through periodicals including The Collegian and

1716-512: The first National College Basketball Tournament at Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City, Missouri , of which Goldman was director, one year before the first National Invitation Tournament and two years before the first NCAA tournament . The goal of the tournament was to establish a forum for small colleges and universities to determine a national basketball champion. The original eight-team tournament expanded to 32 teams in 1938. On March 10, 1940,

1768-473: The first association to admit colleges and universities from outside the United States. The NAIA began admitting Canadian members in 1967. Football – The NAIA was the first association to send a football team to Europe to play. In the summer of 1976, the NAIA sent Henderson State and Texas A&I to play 5 exhibition games in West Berlin, Vienna, Nuremberg, Mannheim and Paris. Flag football – In May 2020,

1820-494: The first female college athlete to play and score in a college football game when she kicked two extra points during the 1997 Linfield vs. Willamette football game . Launched in 2000 by the NAIA, the Champions of Character program promotes character and sportsmanship through athletics. The Champions of Character conducts clinics and has developed an online training course to educate athletes, coaches, and athletic administrators with

1872-531: The first historically Black institution to win a collegiate basketball national championship. In 1959, Southern University became the first HBCU to win the NAIA Baseball championship. In 2024, NAIA instituted a ban on those transgender men who have begun transgender hormone therapy and all transgender women from competing in women’s sports, with the exception of cheerleading and dance. The NAIA began sponsoring intercollegiate championships for women in 1980 ,

1924-516: The nation. In 2010, they placed second in the Final Four of College Chess , which they hosted. 25°53′57″N 97°29′30″W  /  25.899143°N 97.491544°W  / 25.899143; -97.491544 University of Texas%E2%80%93Pan American The University of Texas–Pan American ( UTPA ) was a public university in Edinburg, Texas . Founded in 1927, it was a component institution of

1976-515: The nearly 40-year legacy of the Pan American name. On December 6, 2012, University of Texas regents approved a proposal to merge UTPA, the UT-Brownsville , and a planned medical school into one regional institution. On December 12, 2013, the UT Board of Regents voted to name the new organization the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. On November 5, 2014, UTRGV's new nickname of Vaqueros

2028-637: The northeast corner of campus is the Edinburg Baseball Stadium , which is considered one of the premier college baseball settings. The stadium was completed in 2001. The Starr Country Upper-Level Center is located in Rio Grande City . The center opened in 2003 and was rededicated and moved to a new location in 2009. Most courses offered are in bilingual education. There are also limited courses in criminal justice, history, English, and anthropology. As of 2009 over 200 students have graduated from

2080-534: The rest in the continental United States , with over 83,000 student-athletes participating. The NAIA, whose headquarters is in Kansas City, Missouri , sponsors 28 national championships. CBS Sports Network , formerly called CSTV, serves as the national media outlet for the NAIA. In 2014, ESPNU began carrying the NAIA Football National Championship . In 1937, James Naismith and local leaders, including George Goldman and Emil Liston, staged

2132-463: The second coed national athletics association to do so, offering collegiate athletics championships to women in basketball, cross country, gymnastics, indoor and outdoor track and field, softball, swimming and diving, tennis and volleyball. The National Junior College Athletic Association had established a women's division in the spring of 1975 and held the first women's national championship volleyball tournament that fall. In 1997, Liz Heaston became

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2184-468: The skills necessary to promote character development in the context of sport. In 2010, the association opened the NAIA Eligibility Center, where prospective student-athletes are evaluated for academic and athletic eligibility. It delivers on the NAIA's promise of integrity by leveling the playing field, guiding student-athlete success, and ensuring fair competition. Membership – The NAIA was

2236-466: The southern part of Brownsville, Texas , the part closest to the border with Mexico . A resaca, or oxbow lake, flows through the heart of the growing landscape. The university's unique architecture plays off the campus's rich history in Fort Brown . Many of the oldest buildings on campus remain from the old U.S. Army outpost. The university has also acquired many buildings in the surrounding area, including

2288-487: The use of their name, image, and likeness (NIL). According to an NAIA press release, student-athletes can now "receive compensation for promoting any commercial product, enterprise, or for any public or media appearance", and can also "reference their intercollegiate athletic participation in such promotions or appearances." The NAIA had allowed student-athletes to receive NIL compensation since 2014, but had not previously allowed them to reference their status as such. The NAIA

2340-514: The years: Until the fall of 2011, UT Brownsville had open admissions, meaning prospective students had no admissions criteria. In August 2011 the University of Texas System Board of Regents approved new admission standards for UT Brownsville, and awaited the approval of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools . The restricted UT Brownsville admissions began in the fall of 2013. UTB's campus sat on 524 acres (2.3 km) of land in

2392-467: Was announced. Almost immediately, students on both campuses began objecting to the new name as a caricature and racial stereotype of Mexican, Latino, Chicano, and Hispanic culture. Two days after the new mascot was approved, the UTPA student government passed a resolution in opposition, and three days later, hundreds of students rallied on the Edinburg campus to protest the new name. On August 31, 2015, UTB

2444-441: Was officially dissolved and UTPA's name was changed to the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley . UTPA's main campus, now one of the primary campuses of UTRGV, is located in the western part of Edinburg , and comprises 289 acres. Most of the academic buildings are enclosed by or span a covered walkway over the perimeter of the original campus. In 2007, UTPA added a new wellness center, and dormitory (Unity Dormitory 2007 ). On

2496-536: Was opened in 2009 in McAllen, Texas , and offers education and business courses. The site primarily serves professionals in the city of McAllen. The university offered a wide variety of degrees spanning across seven colleges. At the time of the UTRGV merger, there were 56 bachelor's degrees, 56 master's degrees, three doctoral degrees, and two cooperative doctoral programs. The university included these academic divisions: U.S. News & World Report rated UTPA as

2548-470: Was ranked #18 in the NAIA, but lost the standing after a bad 2008 season. In 2009, under new head coach Todd Lowery, formerly of National American University , the Scorpions began to shine again, achieving a #12 ranking in the NAIA. In December 2011, the UTB volleyball team won its first national championship. The University of Texas at Brownsville was widely regarded for having one of the strongest chess programs in

2600-492: Was several years ahead of the NCAA in NIL reform; the NCAA did not adopt NIL reform until 2021, after its hand was forced by multiple states passing legislation to allow student-athletes to receive such compensation, most notably California . In December 2020, Chloe Mitchell, a volleyball player at NAIA member Aquinas College who at the time had more than 2 million followers on TikTok with

2652-544: Was the first Hispanic woman to be the president of a college or university in the United States. On November 10, 2010, the University of Texas System Board of Regents voted to end the University of Texas at Brownsville's educational partnership with Texas Southmost College. On February 17, 2011, the TSC Board of Trustees voted 4–3 to separate from UTB. On December 6, 2012, the Board of Regents of The University of Texas System approved

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2704-506: Was the first intercollegiate postseason to feature a Black student-athlete, Clarence Walker of Indiana State under coach John Wooden . Wooden had withdrawn from the 1947 tournament because the NAIB would not allow Walker to play. The association furthered its commitment to African-American athletes when, in 1953, it became the first collegiate association to invite historically black colleges and universities into its membership. In 1957, Tennessee A&I (now Tennessee State) became

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