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The Spirit Program is ready to continue expanding and spreading Vaquero Spirit throughout the Rio Grande Valley while also making history this season, according to its coaches.
Isela Gomez, head coach of the Spirit Program, and Rudy Mata, program coordinator and cheer coach, spoke about what to expect this year.
“The Spirit Program overall encompasses four teams: the cheer team, the dance team, the drill team and the mascot team,” Mata said. “We are pretty much everywhere.”
The Rider asked Gomez what her goals for Spirit are.
“We’re already doing it,” she replied. “I mean we had goals before, but we’re already doing it. Our goals were to get to football season and all three, four of our teams, because we include the mascot team, for all four teams to be part of this historic year, this season even just the first game.”
The program is focusing on football more this year as it is the first season in university history.
“It is brand new for us,” Mata said. “It is an entirely different game-day experience than what we’ve done before, so our main focus was to really hone in on that and start the traditions and get that going for the future.”
During the first football game Aug. 30 against Sul Ross State University, the Drill Team debuted as the Vaqueros Star Line.
“With the drill team, this is their first time performing, like, on the field,” Mata said. “… They’re not technically new but being on the field is new for them.”
Gomez said another goal is to “keep growing,” going from 26 to 30 members in a year and planning to recruit five more.
“We obviously want the drill team to be really big on the field,” Mata said. “The cheer team grew from 23 last year. Now, I have 33, and we’re also working on that for the dance team.”
Both Gomez and Mata said they are excited to compete in the NCAA College Nationals in April.
“That competition is a big deal, and that’s something that I know that they have been wanting for years and, you know, once we got our feet wet last year with that competition, I think … they’re already in the headspace of, ‘Let’s do it. Let’s go big or go home,’” Gomez said.
She added the team would not be where it is without Mata, the coaching staff and students.
“We’re very lucky, and we’re very fortunate,” Gomez said. “And I think we’re all really happy to be here, and we’re happy to represent UTRGV.
For those interested in joining the Spirit Program, teams are formed in April or May. To be eligible to try out, full-time enrollment, a 2.225 GPA or higher, and good academic standing are required.
For more information, visit the Spirit Program website.
