The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) Department of Intercollegiate Athletics unveiled the $45 million Vaqueros Performance Center (VPC), part of over $180 million in construction, renovations, and enhancements affecting all UTRGV sport programs across 13 capital projects, to the public starting with a press conference followed by access to the facility on Friday.
The VPC is a 45,000-plus-square foot facility that houses the football program and features state-of-the-art weight training, academic, and sports medicine facilities for use by multiple teams. The VPC also features two practice fields, one of which is the same synthetic turf used at Robert & Janet Vackar Stadium and one of which is natural grass. The turf field is striped for both football and soccer.
“We are proud to be able to show off this state-of-the-art facility to the community and our loyal donors that have helped make this facility a reality,” said UTRGV Senior Vice President and Director of Athletics Chasse Conque. “The Vaqueros Performance Center is one of the nicest football operations centers in the country and will serve our football program and other sport programs well for many years to come. The VPC and Vackar stadium are a one-two punch for Vaqueros Football. The future is bright for the Vaqueros and the VPC will prove to be a significant tool that will contribute to our program’s success.”
- The VPC features a 4,973-square-foot locker room area for the football team with 120 lockers and a players lounge.
- The Sharon Clark & Michael Mueller Student-Athlete Lounge offers players a comfortable place to relax between training and classes.
- The football coaching staff has ample office space.
- The Vaqueros can take advantage of a 1,674-square foot team room with 143 seats and large screen for watching film as well as six position meeting rooms.
- The VPC is home to a 3,837-square foot sport medicine area, primarily used by the football and swimming & diving teams, that includes an on-site x-ray machine, a state-of-the-art hydrotherapy room, zero-gravity treadmill, 12 training tables, and six additional taping stations.
- The VPC also features a nutrition center to keep UTRGV student-athletes fueled.