The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

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We are excited to announce a new Drill Team coming to UTRGV during Fall 2025! 

Show Your Vaquero Spirit!

Show your Vaquero Spirit

Join our inaugural

 Drill Team!

Fill out the form!

The Spirit Program is seeking talented UTRGV students – both future and current – with dance experience to promote Vaquero spirit at football games, parades, and community events. 

Be a part of history join the first UTRGV Drill Team!

Interested in joining?

Be part of the first UTRGV drill team

Create new spirit traditions 

Get involved on campus

Why should you join the marching band?

What are the requirements?

How can I tryout?

FAQs

Learn more about the UTRGV Spirit Program.

Join our inaugural

 Drill Team!

Intermediate to advanced drill team and/or dance experience.

Good time management skills and commitment to attend three rehearsals each week, as well as game day and event attendance on and off campus.

Must be in good standing with the university and maintain a minimum term and institutional GPA of 2.25.

Current UTRGV Students are eligible for Fall 2024 and Spring 2025 Tryouts:

Undergraduate students must be enrolled in a minimum of 12 semester credit hours. Graduate students must be enrolled in a minimum of 9 semester credit hours.

Future UTRGV Students are eligible for Spring 2025 Tryouts:  

Incoming freshmen or transfer students must apply and enroll in UTRGV by a deadline determined by the Spirit Program head coach. 

Fill out the interest form below and a Spirit Program staff member will contact you regarding the next steps in the tryout process.

For questions, please email spirit@utrgv.edu. 

I am a prospective student in high school or a 2-year college student interested in joining the UTRGV drill team. How can I get more information? 

Please fill out the interest form above to receive additional information.  

Current UTRGV Students are eligible for Fall 2024 and Spring 2025 Tryouts.

Future UTRGV Students are eligible for Spring 2025 Tryouts.


Who can audition?

Currently enrolled UTRGV students in good standing with the university are eligible to audition Fall 2024 and Spring 2025. Incoming freshmen and transfer students intending to enroll in Fall 2025 are eligible to audition Spring 2025.


When are tryouts for the drill team?

Tryouts will be held on November 9 (Edinburg) and November 23 (Brownsville) 2024 and Spring 2025 (dates to be determined). Currently enrolled students selected in the November 2024 tryouts will be part of the drill team during the Spring 2025 semester. Incoming freshmen and transfer students enrolling in Fall 2025 will begin training in the Summer 2025 along with the current students.


Are tryouts available during the fall and spring semesters?

Yes, tryout dates for Spring 2025 will be announced at a later date.


Do I need to have drill team experience to join? 

Yes, intermediate to advanced drill team and/or dance experience is required. 


Do I have to be a dance major to join the drill team?

Students are NOT required to declare a dance major or minor to join the drill team.


When will practices be held?

The drill team practices will be held on the Brownsville and Edinburg campuses.

Where will the drill team perform?

The drill team will perform at UTRGV football games, parades, and community events across the Rio Grande Valley.


Will there be transportation between the Brownsville and Edinburg locations? What about games and events?

University shuttle services currently provide transportation between campuses.

Transportation will be provided between Brownsville and Edinburg locations including game day and some community events. More information will be available soon.


Interest Form
Interest FormFAQsRequirementsRequirementsFAQs

Join our inaugural

 Drill Team!

Interest Form

Drill team tryouts will be conducted by a panel of 2-3 judges who will evaluate a series of choreographed routines, which may include but are not limited to:

October 2023: Interest and information sessions for UTRGV students, high school students, and high school coaches/directors. 

November 4, 2023: Drill team workshop open to UTRGV students, transfer students, and high school seniors.

November 18, 2023: Drill team tryouts open to UTRGV students, transfer students, and high school juniors and seniors.

March 2024: Workshops and interest sessions open to UTRGV students, transfer students, and high school juniors and seniors.

May 2024: Drill team tryouts open to UTRGV students, transfer students, and high school seniors.

Additional requirements will be outlined in the Spirit Program contract.

Audition routine

High-kick sequence

Technique

Fight song choreography

What should I expect at tryouts?

Important Dates

UTRGV Spirit Program Office

Edinburg University Center, EUCTR 215

Isela Gomez, Head Coach of Spirit Program - (956) 665-2899

Rudy Mata, Program Coordinator & Cheer Coach - (956) 665-2698

Drill teams have a rich history deeply rooted in Texas culture and tradition. These dance teams perform precision routines during halftime that have gained popularity due to their high-kick lines, showcasing intricate formation changes and visual effects on the football field. The uniforms feature distinctive elements like cowboy boots and hats, emphasizing the cultural identity of our region. 

Did you know?

Let's do this!

Interested? Fill out the form:

Important Dates

Coming Soon! 

Online Registration Opens

Saturday, Nov. 9:  

$30 Tryout Fee Due
EURec-Studio 1
Check-In at 8:30 a.m.
Workshop 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Tryouts 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
 

Saturday, Nov. 23: 

 

$30 Tryout Fee Due
BSTUN-El Gran Salon
Check-In at 8:30 a.m.
Workshop 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Tryouts 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
 

Important Dates

March 18-April 27 

Register for Tryout Workshops. 

March 18-May 3  

Submit your Online Candidate Application for tryouts. 

March 27 

 

Tryout Information Session at 6:00pm on TEAMS 

April 13 

 

Drill Team Tryout Workshop: Studio 1.532 in the TSC Recreation Center (URek) on the Brownsville campus. Check-in is at 8:00a.m. Attendance of at least one workshop is strongly encouraged. 

April 27 

 

Drill Team Tryout Workshop: Studio 1.532 in the TSC Recreation Center (URek) on the Brownsville campus. Check-in is at 8:00a.m. Attendance of at least one workshop is strongly encouraged.  

May 4  

DRILL TEAM TRYOUTS: In-person auditions will be held at the PlainsCapital Bank El Gran Salon in the Student Union (BSTUN) on the Brownsville campus.
UTRGV Drill Team Requirements and FAQ
 

Coming soon!

Online Registration Opens

Saturday, November 9:

$30 Tryout Fee Due
EURec-Studio 1
Check-In is at 8:30a
Workshop 9a-12p
Tryouts 1-4p

$30 Tryout Fee Due
BSTUN-El Gran Salon
Check-In is at 8:30a
Workshop 9a-12p
Tryouts 1-4p

Saturday, November 23:

Registration now open!