The establishment of a college football program is a risky endeavor that could drain resources from other sports if not done right. A successful program, however, can benefit the entire school.
Much of that benefit comes from the pride that students and the surrounding community have in their program. Ticket sales, concessions and community support add revenue from branded items and donations to the school from alumni, businesses and community leaders.
It appears that support already is growing at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, for a new program that is still a couple of years away from holding its first official games.
The importance of community was noted at Thursday’s news conference to introduce inaugural head football coach Travis Bush at H-E-B Park in Edinburg.
University President Guy Bailey noted that students voted for the football program, and to impose a student service fee upon themselves to support it. In addition, Bailey said, a Football Founders Society already has raised $1.7 million from 33 members to support the program.
Part of the enthusiasm, and the public support that always has been seen for the university, likely stems from an appreciation for a growing institution in an area that saw little investment in higher education in this region before a class-action lawsuit was filed alleging that the lack of investment and attention to South Texas from publicly funded universities was tantamount to racial discrimination.
Those feelings of short shrift still linger among many Valley residents who feel the lack of educational opportunity hindered their ability to escape the chronic poverty that still pervades the region.
With regard to football, “Our students will have the same opportunity right here in the Rio Grande Valley that they have in Austin, … San Antonio, … Kingsville, and it’s right here now,” Bailey said Thursday. “You deserve that. You deserve the same opportunities, the same amenities, that every other student has.”
Bailey compared finding Bush to be the Vaqueros’ first head coach to having a winning Bingo ticket, and it’s hard to find a more appropriate resume. Bush has experience that belies his age; he has work in programs at the high-school, college and professional level. He was part of successful staffs at Baylor and TCU, and also has experience building or rebuilding programs at various high schools and serving as the first offensive coordinator for the new program at UT-San Antonio. His year as running backs coach was served under new owners and a new coach, Rex Ryan.
Moreover, Bush is a Valley native, learning the sport from his father, legendary Valley coach Bruce Bush. Travis Bush noted the challenges he’ll face recruiting in his first years, and knows he will fill those first teams with many walk-ons and local players — players he probably knows better than other collegiate coaches.
It’s been an auspicious first week for the UTRGV football program. We join the Valley community in wishing the best of luck for the team, and we look forward to seeking the first Vaquero squad take the field in the coming years.
