Get mad again: UTRGV Madness makes a comeback

Student Activities, Athletics and The Herd will host UTRGV Madness at 9 p.m. Friday in the UTRGV Fieldhouse on the Edinburg campus. 

Sara Hernandez, associate athletics director for Marketing and Strategic Initiative, said Madness is the biggest event on campus every year.

“The best way I can describe it is a huge pep rally, in which we introduced the [men’s and women’s] basketball teams.” Hernandez said. “We also welcome a lot of student organizations for a dance contest. This year, we also have a lip-sync contest, which is kind of part of that. But, it’s a huge, huge event in which we showcase and celebrate UTRGV spirit.” 

She said the organizations have a couple of surprises planned for the event. 

“I think one of the staples of the event is the glow aspect of it,” Hernandez said. “So, I think we have a couple of things going on with that. I think that’s what students kind of look forward to the most and, obviously, the dances. We do have a couple of new dances that I think the students will be excited about and that involve a little bit more of our department, so I’ll leave it as a cliffhanger.” 

She said the event will also have giveaways and prizes. 

“As always, there’s always a huge prize for the, I guess, initial musical chairs game,” Hernandez said.  “There are T-shirts, [which] are really cool by the way. I think people are going to be really pleased with the way the T-shirts look. I think, again, like I mentioned, it’s a good opportunity for students to really celebrate and I think especially after we didn’t have one last year. So, we’re really taking this opportunity to bring our students back together and celebrate that we’re here and that UTRGV is still thriving.”

She mentioned there will be a half-court-shot contest where students will have the opportunity to be entered in a giveaway.

“Everybody who makes it, they’re going to be entered into a drawing to get a two-year lease on a car from Hacienda Ford. So, everybody there will have the opportunity to participate,” Hernanez said. “And it’s always very exciting. There will be opportunities for students to be part of the actual show.” 

She said there will be a bus for students to take from Brownsville to Edinburg. The bus will depart at 5:30 p.m. from the Casa Bella Apartments on the Brownsville campus .

Hernandez said Madness is scheduled early this year because of the trunk-or-treat event Student Activities is hosting outside of the Fieldhouse.

“It’s happening right before it so we’re working together so [students] can be here for trunk or treat as well,” she said. “And then, if they come on that bus, they would ensure one of the T-shirts that we’re going to distribute and they also get a Chick-fil-A sandwich.” 

Hernandez said Madness will not only be using the UTRGV shuttles but also separate buses to make sure there is enough seating. 

“[Students] can RSVP at goutrgv.com/madness,” she said. “They can RSVP for the bus and it is going to ask you a couple of questions about whether you need the bus on the way up, on the way back or both. We just want to make sure that we know who’s coming, to make sure that if we need additional transportation, we can get it and just to make sure, for everybody’s safety, that we know who’s on the bus.” 

Asked what COVID-19 protocols will be in place, she replied the entire UTRGV Fieldhouse will be used for students to social distance. 

“And we’re also encouraging people to wear masks,” Hernandez said. “So we hope that our students will be there, will be attending safely and [that] they can stay in the groups that they come in for safety.”

She said she would encourage students to attend because it only happens once a year. 

“So, if anybody has any doubt about UTRGV spirit and how fun things can be, that is the best event that you can go to, to really just enjoy and be proud of being part of UTRGV and really be with your fellow students, especially right now that a lot of people are online,” Hernandez said. “I think it’s a good opportunity for them to go, like, maybe mingle and get to know their [peers] at the same time.” 

She said the university is happy to be the avenue to allow students to make new friends and network.  

Natalie Navarrete, a biomedical science junior, said she is interested in attending events throughout Spirit Week leading to UTRGV Madness. 

“I’m glad it’s in person, honestly, because I feel like it makes everyone, I feel like, a little bit more included,” Navarrete said. “We have more participation in actual events. It’s not just school, it’s a break from like academics and like a breather, but as long as, you know, follow [COVID-19] guidelines.”

She said she believes events like these keep students wanting to come back to school and that her only concern would be not everyone wearing a mask. 

“That’s what worries me a little bit,” Navarrete said. “So, that’s kind of like my only concern for myself. I would just make sure I’d be more cautious.”

Joanna Robles, a music education sophomore, said she has never attended UTRGV Madness before but she has heard about it from her friends.

“They said it was very fun, actually,” Robles said. “ They totally recommended it to me and well my manager that I work with. She used to be a UTRGV student and she said that she has gone and she was actually also recommending it to me. So I’m guessing it’s a pretty good experience.”

Robles said it’s important for UTRGV to have signature events because it’s a time where everyone sees each other.

Yarisa Peña, a criminal justice freshman, said she likes to be involved at UTRGV.  

“Being in programs has helped me a lot. I mean, I’ve been in the Trio Student Support Services and it has helped me a lot.” Peña said.

She said she is looking forward to feel the UTRGV spirit, having fun and being distracted from school.