The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

Site Policies | Privacy Policy | Required Links | Fraud Reporting | UTRGV Careers

Clery Crime Reports | Texas Homeland Security | Texas Veterans | Mental Health Resources

Site Policies | Privacy Policy | Required Links | Fraud Reporting | UTRGV Careers |Clery Crime Reports | Texas Homeland Security | Texas Veterans | Mental Health Resources

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!

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.

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.

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.  

Who can audition?

Currently enrolled UTRGV students in good standing with the university and incoming freshmen and transfer students intending to enroll in Fall 2024.

When are tryouts for the drill team?

Tryouts will be held in November 2023 and Spring 2024 (date to be determined). Currently enrolled students selected in the November 2023 tryouts will be part of the drill team during the Spring 2024 semester. Incoming freshmen and transfer students enrolling in Fall 2024 will begin training in the summer along with the current students.

Are tryouts available during the fall and spring semesters?

Yes, tryout dates for Spring 2024 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 in Brownsville.

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?

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

Join our inaugural

 Drill Team!

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?

Interested? Fill out the form:

Important Dates