Dayra Gonzalez Game days boost students’ spirit
Karla Hernandez/THE RIDER
The inaugural football season kicked off this fall with students saying they are brought together through tailgates, chants and pride.
On Oct. 4, The Rider attended the game against Houston Christian University to obtain student insight about their experiences. It observed Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Cristina Orozco, a psychology junior, said attending games has pushed her out of her comfort zone and helped her feel more involved.
“It’s very exciting just seeing everybody’s energy,” Orozco said. “Everybody comes together to support the team.”
According to students, the atmosphere at the tailgates has been one of the main attractions.
Jack Robertson, a theatre junior, said the energy before kickoff makes each game memorable.
“There’s so much excitement in the air,” Robertson said. “It’s just better when you’re surrounded by people from your school.”
Seihda Valverde, a sociology senior, said the football season encouraged her to take part in more campus events than before.
“This is my senior year, and I hadn’t really gone to school events until now,” Valverde said. “The games give us something fun to look forward to.”
According to Christopher Stubbs, assistant director of Student Activities, the student tailgate has helped create a stronger sense of community as students from across the Rio Grande Valley come together each week to celebrate.
“We have people coming from Edinburg, Brownsville, Harlingen, all over the Valley,” Stubbs said. “Just seeing everybody come together and start building a tradition has been really cool.”
He said his role is to give students the space and resources to shape the tailgate culture themselves.
“The student tailgate is very much student-run,” Stubbs said. “We’re just providing the setup. Everything else comes from them.”
From field goal contests and competitions to student organizations cooking food for other attendees, each gameday brings something new.
Stubbs said seeing students take ownership of the event has been one of the most rewarding parts of the season.
To make games accessible to all students, Rodney Gomez, executive director of Parking and Transportation, said UTRGV offers free parking and shuttle rides from both the Edinburg and Brownsville campuses.
Gomez added some students depend on shuttle rides services to attend.
“Several students told us they couldn’t get to the game without our buses,” he said. “That’s exactly why we do it, to make sure everyone has the chance to be part of this experience.”
Students who attended the games said they feel they are helping build new traditions that will last long after the first season ends.
Robertson said chants such as “¡Dale gas!” after a first down and the energy at tailgates have already become part of what makes the season memorable.
Jesús Álvarez, a dance junior, said the experience reminds him of his high school days but feels even more special.
“It’s fun to see the community coming together,” Álvarez said. “We’re making new memories that future students will also enjoy.”
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