Feb. 8, 2010

To Contact Chris King Click Here: kingca@utpa.edu

Dear Bronc Fans & Supporters,

It has been an exciting couple of weeks around the athletic offices. As we continue to put in our vision and direction for the department, we are currently looking at new ways to rebrand, become more visible on and off campus, engage our stakeholders, generate revenue, and enhance our game day experience for our fans and supporters throughout the remainder of the winter and spring seasons.

One of our most exciting additions to the vision and future of the program includes the hiring of the Associate Athletic Director for External Operations opening. I am delighted to welcome Andrew Haring as the new Associate Athletic Director for External Operations. Andrew comes to us from the University of Texas-San Antonio, where he served as the Assistant Athletic Director for Development and Executive Director of the Roadrunner Club. Andrew will begin his employment with us the last week of February.

Andrew brings tremendous enthusiasm, passion and knowledge of external operations. I was contacted by numerous Athletic Directors who talked about his loyalty, character and ability to relate to the key constituents, alumni and community members. One of our main goals is to become the most visible marketing tool and front porch for this University, and I strongly believe Andrew is a key component as we look to put in our strategic plan and vision for this department. I also would like to recognize and thank the search committee for their commitment and dedication to the process of hiring Andrew.

In addition to Andrew's hiring, we have restructured the duties of two staff members within external operations to strengthen up our revenue generation, marketing, promotions, and media relations operations. Bernie Saenz will oversee our corporate sponsorships, ticket operations, website operations, and future radio and television coaches' shows. Bernie's media relations duties will be assumed by our current Director of Marketing and Promotions, Rebecca Sweat. I am very excited about Bernie's involvement in our revenue generating areas, particularly with his background in sales and reputation within the Valley. Media relations and our marketing efforts go hand-in-hand and will allow intercollegiate athletics to promote our sports programs, student-athletes and coaches under Rebecca's direction.

In the past, ticket operations were structured under our business operations; however, I want us to become a marketing sales force and have moved the ticket operations to the external operations side of our department. We are anticipating having a new website go-live for our fans and supporters in August 2010, with the ability to have on-line ticketing, on-line merchandising, and on-line donor management for fundraising. The restructuring of our external operations and the ability to host on-line purchases of tickets via our website will provide us the ability to market season, group and creative ticket packages more effectively than in the past.

There are many more external initiatives coming your way in the near future and I am really looking forward to having Andrew, Bernie and Rebecca leading the way with the future initiatives.

Sam Williams Endowed Scholarship Presentation

The 1963 National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) National Championship game was held at the Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City, Missouri. It was the 26th annual NAIA basketball tournament and featured 32 teams. Entering the tournament, the then, Pan American College, ranked 12th in the nation, topped Stetson, Northern Michigan and Grambling before winning the championship game against Western Carolina 73-62 and finished the season with a 26-6 record. The 1963 team was led by Head Coach Sam Williams, whom the court at UTPA Fieldhouse is named after.

On January 31st at half-time of the men's basketball contest against the University of South Dakota at mid-court on Sam Williams Court, members of the 1963 Championship team returned to campus and were honored and presented a check to the UTPA Department of Intercollegiate Athletics fulfilling the Sam Williams Endowed Scholarship for $265,000. The Sam Williams Endowed Scholarship will provide an annual scholarship to the men's basketball program in honor of Coach Williams.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank Jim Board, the Bronc Hoopsters and the NAIA 1963 National Championship team for their contributions and dedication to the UTPA Broncs. I would also be remiss not to mention what a tremendous job Jim Board does for our athletics department and the men's basketball program! He is truly a superb ambassador for Bronc basketball alumni, and I can't tell you how much I appreciate his support, advice and guidance since my arrival in October. What he has done in such a short time in endowing a men's basketball scholarship is amazing, and is recognized by many around this program and the University.

Speaking of Basketball: Great West Conference Basketball Championships in March 2010

The 2010 Great West Conference Men's and Women's Basketball Tournament will be held from Wednesday, March 10 - Saturday, March 13, 2010 at the Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah. For more information to purchase all-tournament passes through UTPA and information on the team hotel, please contact Raul Betancourt at 956-381-2221. More information on ticket prices and tournament information will appear on www.utpabroncs.com next week.

Reminder from Last Month's Chat with Chris:

Baseball Fundraising Upcoming Events

The UTPA baseball season begins on Friday, February 26 as Head Coach Manny Mantrana begins his second season as the skipper for the Bronc baseball program at the annual Coach Al Ogletree Classic. Prior to the opening pitch of the season, the UTPA baseball program will be hosting several special events to increase community support for the upcoming season and assist in fundraising efforts for the baseball scholarship program to assist our student-athletes educational pursuits. On Saturday, February 13th at Edinburg Stadium, the UTPA baseball program will host a 100 inning fundraising game. The start time will be at 9:00 am and the fans in attendance will have a chance to meet, mingle, and take pictures with the 2010 Bronc student-athletes afterwards. For more information on the 100 Inning Game, please call Coach Mantrana at 956-381-2235.

Hall of Fame Inductees

The UTPA Hall of Fame Committee announced the 2010 UTPA Athletics Hall of Fame class, which includes: Jim Hickey (baseball), Felipe Leal (baseball), Nancy Mireles (track & field), Lupe Salinas (baseball), Fred Taylor (basketball), and Dr. Ben Garza (hall of honor recipient). Our Sports Hall of Fame has a key role in preserving the history of athletic tradition and excellence at UTPA. Each of this year's inductees helped to build this tradition. They exemplify the spirit and the ideals of sport in their careers and community lives. The inductees have reached some of the highest pinnacles in their respective sports. It is a privilege that UTPA has an opportunity to be a part of their lives. We are grateful that we have the opportunity to honor them for their accomplishments as UTPA ambassadors and former letter winners. The UTPA Athletics Hall of Fame reception will be held on Friday, February 12, and the luncheon will be held on Saturday, February 13. For more information on the UTPA Athletics Hall of Fame and tickets to the event, please contact Ricky Vaughn, Chair, Hall of Fame Committee, at 956-381-2221.

Thank you for providing feedback and for your continued support of UTPA athletics. With your help, we will reach our goals and make a positive impact in all areas of our athletic department. As always, please feel free to contact me at kingca@utpa.edu with your questions, concerns and suggestions.

Go Broncs!

Chris King
Director of Athletics

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Previous Letters From Chris King:

January 4, 2010

December 1, 2009

November 1, 2009

October 1, 2009