RIO GRANDE VALLEY – The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) Department of Intercollegiate Athletics welcomed nearly 2,000 rowdy fans to the UTRGV Fieldhouse for its annual UTRGV Madness, presented by Visit South Padre Island, event Friday to tip off the 2024-25 men’s and women’s basketball seasons.
Fans gathered two hours before Madness for Pre-Madness Party along the outskirts of the UTRGV Fieldhouse and inside the lively Vaquero Village. Fans were immersed in the ultimate experience as the UTRGV drumline and spirit program welcomed them into Vaquero Village where Ricky J and Desert Bloom rocked the night ahead of the 9 p.m. start.
Outside Vaquero Village fans were able to enjoy several party activities including a 360-degree photo ring, a raffle for a chance to be inside the Texas Tornado cash machine, courtesy of Texas Regional Bank, and a free UTRGV special edition t-shirt exclusive to the first 1000 students at UTRGV Madness.
At 9 p.m., the UTRGV Fieldhouse was rocking as the crowd flew in from the pre-madness party. Fans were treated to an electric introduction of the UTRGV men’s and women’s basketball teams.
Fans then had a chance to see UTRGV Women’s Basketball Head Coach Lane Lord and UTRGV Men’s Basketball Head Coach Kahil Fennell compete in the fan-favorite putt putt contest. The coaches were tasked with putting a ball from the free throw line and rolling the ball through the legs of the mascot standing at the opposite free-throw line. The reward, a t-shirt toss, courtesy of UTRGV Athletics, and a sweater toss, courtesy of Maripoza’s Boutique, for the winning coach’s side, that had the crowd cheering them on from the first putt.
A 3-point shootout ensued as women’s basketball student-athletes Gianna Angiolet and Kayla Lorenz faced off against men’s basketball student-athletes K.T. Raimey and DK Thorn. 30 seconds was not enough time for the finals as Thorn bested Angiolet in a 15-second overtime shootout.
Fans in attendance were able to compete in games on the court, such as a box stacking competition in which students had to stack the boxes in a head-to-head battle. The student with the highest stack of boxes earned free Church’s Texas Chicken for a year, courtesy of Church’s Texas Chicken.
Other games included musical chairs and a free throw shootout that featured one student paired with women’s basketball student-athlete Brianna Sanchez and one student paired with men’s basketball student-athlete Howie Fleming. Sanchez and her partner won the free throw contest.
Two students won the raffle and got to enter the Texas Tornado and exit with cash, courtesy of Texas Regional Bank.
Fans were also treated to three dances from UTRGV student organizations such as the African Student Association, Kappa Sigma, and the Filipino Student Association in the annual dance contest.
Judges of the dance contest included Erica Elizondo, owner of Maripoza Boutique, Dr. Stephen Hirst, UTRGV associate vice president for strategic enrollment & student affairs, Israel Amaya, UTRGV dean of students, and Alisa Gonzalez, owner of Vaquero Outfitters.
UTRGV students that participated in these events won prizes including Church’s Chicken for a year, courtesy of Church’s Chicken, a pair of tailgating gifts from Vaquero Outfitters, two $50 Wing Barn Gift Card, Beats Studio Pro, and an iPad from
Contest Winners:
Coaches Putt Putt Contest – Lane Lord
3-Point Shootout – DK Thorn
Tailgating Set from Free Throw Contest – Landen Gaskamp
Vaqueros Folding Chair from Free Throw Contest – Debanhi Salazar
SPI Weekend Trip from Musical Chairs – Alan Velazquez
Beats Studio Pro from Musical Chairs – Reagan Trevino
$50 Wing Barn Gift Cards from Musical Chairs – Brianna Hernandez and Tera Smith
Church’s Chicken for a year from Box Stacking Contest – Lizette Morales
iPad Raffle Winner – Anahi Montemayor
Dance-Off Winners:
Best Attire – Kappa Sigma
Best Choreography – Filipino Student Association
Best Greek Organization – Kappa Sigma
Best Music Mix – African Student Association
Fan Favorite – Filipino Student Association
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