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UTRGV Athletics announced the start of #RallyTheValley Week, a new campus tradition in partnership with McAllen International Airport.
The week will bring the opportunity for students and fans a chance to win two round-trip tickets to a destination of their choice and themed merchandise, according to Jonah Goldberg, senior associate athletic director for Communications and Championships.
#RallyTheValley Week spans from Thursday until Feb. 17, containing eight home games shared between baseball and basketball in the six-day period.
According to the Jan 16. Athletics news release, the UTRGV Women’s Basketball Team will kick off the week against Lamar University on Thursday, followed by the Vaqueros Baseball Team starting its season with a three-game series against the University of Kansas from Friday to Sunday.
Goldberg said the department wanted to turn the stretch of games into “something special” and saw the opportunity when Homecoming was moved to the fall.
“With Homecoming now being a part of football, we thought, ‘How can we keep that week just as special?’” he said. “We didn’t want it to lose its luster … so that’s where the idea for #RallyTheValley Week was born.”
Sara Hernandez, senior associate athletic director for Marketing and Strategic Initiatives, said the event will be a “little bit different,” but that it is still about spirit and an opportunity to celebrate UTRGV.
Hernandez added she thinks it is a good opportunity to bring everybody together, encouraging fans of each sport to “see what the other has to offer.”
She said the week could help “get baseball off to a good start” in its season and “give basketball a little bit of an extra push.”
Fans will each receive a themed passport that will be stamped for each game they attend, with the opportunity to earn prizes.
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“You get your first gift at five [games], your second gift at sixth, your third at the seventh and the final at eight,” Goldberg said.
According to Hernandez, these include a #RallyTheValley tote bag, T-shirt, water bottle and hoodie, with each given out in the previously mentioned order.
Goldberg said he acknowledges going to all eight games is a “big ask,” but those who do will also have a chance to win two round-trip non-stop plane tickets from McAllen International Airport.
Hernandez added that at most games fans will also have the opportunity to win prizes from giveaways hosted by various UTRGV athletic sponsors, such as Fork to Fit Kitchen, BlueWave Express Car Wash and Vaquero Outfitters.
“It’s not only the passport drive,” she said. “Every game is going to have something to incentivize our students to come by.”
According to the news release, fans can purchase tickets for all eight games for $30, while students can attend for free with their ID.
Goldberg said he is “anticipating a lot of people” to attend these games.
“I think you’re going to really see a lot of people who are going to all the games,” he said. “It’s a really unique opportunity to really let it all out and cheer on your teams in a short span.”
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