During my time at UTRGV, I’ve had two goals that I aim to accomplish. The first one, like many of us, is to graduate, and the other is to somehow leave my mark on this university.
Earlier this month, I was able to accomplish the latter during a trip to Lake Charles, Louisiana. And no, it wasn’t gambling at the Golden Nugget, but this visit was the result of a chance I took with my director, Jesus Sanchez.
When both the men and women’s basketball team clinched a spot in the Southland Conference Tournament, I asked him if I could cover the programs’ matches like I normally do with any other.
Honestly, I expected the idea to be shot down as many of my colleagues told me it hadn’t been done in the past. So when he told me that he would try his hardest to make it happen, I was completely blown away. … I was officially going to be the first.
The week before the big tournament, I got confirmation I was being sent out to report on UTRGV’s games, and Jesus told me if I did a great job, this could become a regular occurrence for sports reporters down the line.
As I prepared for my departure, many of my colleagues said the same thing: “Make us proud.” That request really stuck with me, making me realize just how much what I was doing mattered to not just The Rider, but Student Media as a whole.
There was a lot of weight on my shoulders, especially with the bigger workload as I was not only a sports reporter, but also a photographer, sideline reporter and video editor, all-in-one.
Maybe this sounds corny, but I felt very connected to the Vaqueros during the tournament: We were both fighting to prove how much of an impact we could make and come out of Louisiana successful.
For them, success was making history in their programs, and becoming SLC Champions. While for me, it was making my team proud and pioneering the way for Student Media to continue covering post-season tournaments.
While I say that it was stressful, my time at Lake Charles was still a wonderful experience. I feel it helped me grow as a sports reporter as I had the chance to connect with other reporters attending the tournament, learning new skills and techniques from them.
The environment in the Townsley Law Arena was also a fantastic one to be in, especially during the semifinal matches where you could just feel how important these games were to not only the teams but the fans watching as well.
I also had a great time connecting with UTRGV’s Spirit program. My first interaction with the band was quite hilarious as a couple of the members had approached me to ask if I was our mascot, Victory the Vaquero. (Obviously, I’m not the man under the suit, but I will say I know THOSE who are).
The Spirit program members were also very kind and supportive to me, often checking in on how I was doing while I was working and asking to read and watch my coverages when they were completed.
I’m not sure if the groups realize it or not, but our small interactions throughout the tournament all had a big impact on me. It was those moments that helped bring me back from being overwhelmed, or feeling like I wasn’t doing a good enough job.
In a way, while they were all at the tournament to cheer for the Vaqueros, they indirectly cheered for me as well, and that helped me continue to work my hardest. I can’t thank them enough for their support, nor will I forget it.
Was that effort and stress worth it? Definitely, 100%. Before I got back to the Valley, my director, along with many of my colleagues, reached out to congratulate me on my work and express how proud they were.
I might not have come out of the Townsley Law Arena with a trophy, but I still came back home accomplishing my goal. I’m extremely grateful for having the opportunity to write Student Media history and leave my mark on the university.
Who knows whether or not my name will be spoken in the department years from now, but when I cross paths with sports reporters from UTRGV while reporting at future SLC Tournaments, I know I’ll be able to proudly say, “I made that happen!”
