Saddle Up Podcast

Staarz, is a name in the music industry circles that is turning ears. Being only 25 years old and achieving the success she has recently achieved is a testament to her hard work and talent. Explore this Los Fresnos icon and up and coming superstar!

Revisiting our conversation with Dr. William Yancey is one of the kindest and most intriguing gentlemen you might ever get to meet. Join us as we talk about his childhood shaping him to the surreal moment of walking onto the Alex Trabec stage to winning Jeopardy.

G and Matt are at it again. Tune if for the finale for Season 6.

Ingridy Foltran is one of the most unique guests we have had on the show. She is not only a 4yr letter winner, but her fascinating story to get to UTRGV will amaze you... and not only that, but how she is helping bring water to those in drought in the Corpus Christi area will astonish you!

UTRGV Football Legend and Valley native, Eddie Lee Marburger, joins the show week. Here about his favorite play and him call it out as if we were in the huddle. Eddie Lee is a wonderful man, grounded in faith and guided by solid people surrounding him. LFG!!!

Roy Rivas is creating something special with DITV Sports. Learn his story and his amazing ability to network with people and why he has dug himself in with the Valley Sports niche coming from Oceanside California.

UTRGV Head Men's Basketball Coach, Brandon Chambers, joins the show this week to introduce himself to Vaquero Nation. Listen to him talk about how he feels like the luckiest man alive and being undefeated in the Field House. We are excited to have him... on the show AND on the sidelines! LFG.

This week on  Saddle Up , we’re joined by  Dr. Jose A. Ramos, Jr. , the  newly named Texas Region 7 Athletic Trainer of the Year  at  McAllen High School .  Dr. Ramos has spent years on the front line of high school sports, protecting athletes, managing injuries, and helping students get back on the field the right way. In this conversation, he breaks down what people do not see behind Friday nigh...

This week on Saddle Up, we’re joined by Jett Garza, an up-and-coming country music standout from Brownsville, Texas, making serious noise with his debut album, Rearview, now available on all streaming platforms and YouTube. Jett sits down with G and Matt to talk about the stories behind the record, what he pulled from growing up in the Valley, and the grind it takes to build momentum as an indepen...

This week on  Saddle Up , we welcome  Houston Moore , the  Director of Golf at UTRGV , leading both the men’s and women’s programs.  It’s a timely conversation because both Vaquero teams are bringing hardware back to the Valley. The  UTRGV women’s team won the Southland Conference Championship on April 15, 2026 , earning the league title and an automatic postseason bid. One week later, the  UTRGV...

This week on Saddle Up, we’re joined by Rene Flores, a former UTPA baseball player whose story reflects the work, pride, and resilience that define baseball in the Rio Grande Valley. Rene takes us back to his playing days at UTPA, the teammates and coaches who shaped him, and what it really took to compete at the college level. We also talk about life after the diamond, how baseball lessons transl...

This week on Saddle Up, we sit down with Roland Gonzalez to talk about leadership, community, and building something meaningful. Roland shares how his background shaped the way he leads, why people and culture come first, and what it looks like to give back while still holding high standards. We also talk about mentorship, opportunity, and why the Rio Grande Valley produces more talent than it get...

Renee Leal is one of the most talented and hardest working women in the RGV! Learn about her story and her quest to bringing the Citrus Theater in Edinburg back to life!

Jack Kaufold’s story is the kind that reminds you how fast life can change when preparation meets opportunity. From growing up in  Edinburg  to landing a  college internship  that opened real doors, Jack turned an early break into a blueprint. Now he’s on the other side of the table, helping  college students  find the same kind of life-altering opportunities, and teaching them how to show up read...

This week on Saddle Up, we sit down with Dr. Cynthia Catchings for a wide-ranging conversation about leadership, service, and what it really takes to build a life and career that matters. Dr. Catchings, an alumni of UTRGV, shares the mindset and discipline behind sustained success, how she approaches purpose-driven work, and the lessons she has learned from helping others through real-world challe...

Bobby Pulido joins the show this week and we talk a wide range of topics. Learn what it was like growing up in Edinburg, what some of Bobby's fondest memories are, and what he has planned for people in District 15 if elected to US Congress. LFG!

This week on Saddle Up, we sit down with longtime RGV basketball coach David Keith, a program builder who has helped shape winning culture across the Valley, including stops with the Sharyland Rattlers and Edinburg-area high school basketball. Coach Keith breaks down what most fans never see: the daily standards, the accountability, and the player development that turns a roster into a team. We ta...

This week on Saddle Up , we’re joined by Gabriella Ebel , a Brownsville native whose journey took her from the Rio Grande Valley to the biggest stage in entertainment: the Super Bowl halftime show . Gabriella shares what it really takes to break into elite performance, the discipline behind the scenes, and how the RGV shaped her drive. We also talk about her work in major productions, including pe...

This episode with Regina Richardson , RGV criminal defense attorney, traces a gritty, real path to purpose. She reflects on working late shifts at Taco Bell and Taco Cabana in college , the turning points that led her to law school , and how those early jobs shaped her work ethic with clients today. We also have fun with a dream dinner table question. Regina picks Tupac Shakur and Dr. William Stro...

For a record third appearance,  Chasse Conque  returns to Saddle Up. We cover the surge of  UTRGV Football , the transition into  FCS  and the  Southland Conference , and the ripple effects across every sport on campus. Chasse breaks down how the department is stacking  record GPAs , why  fan, donor, and community support  has accelerated the plan, and what milestones are next on the university’s...

This week’s guest is Chris Fagan, a 6-5 forward from the Bronx who made his mark at UTPA with toughness on the glass and timely scoring. After arriving by way of Trinidad State College, Fagan became a fixture in the Broncs’ frontcourt, averaging double-figure points in back-to-back seasons and delivering some of the era’s most memorable performances.

This week we’re joined by Iran “Biggie” Perez, widely known as Mr. Brownsville. Biggie has worn just about every hat in the local sports scene, from coaching to media to community organizing, all with one aim, better opportunities for Valley kids. A longtime educator and coach in Brownsville, Biggie has served across multiple programs at Rivera High School, contributing to football and basketball...

Season 6 Episode 1!!! Our guest this week to kick off the new season is Matthew Thomas, a former UTPA Men’s Basketball player from 2008 to 2011. He joins G and Matt to revisit those seasons, the grind of Division I hoops, and the personal journey that led to his name change after college.

This week’s guest is Garry Dippell, a true UTPA Baseball legend whose story embodies grit, consistency, and excellence. Hailing from LaGrange, Texas, Garry walked on to the UTPA baseball team in 1978—and went on to etch his name into program history. During his standout career, Garry hit a program-record .443 in 1979, earning All-District VI honors, and followed it up with another stellar year in...

This week we welcome  Robert and Janet Vackar  of  Bert Ogden Auto Group  for a candid conversation about  philanthropy , community building, and their deep commitment to  UTRGV . We discuss why giving matters to them, how they evaluate impact, and what it takes to sustain long term support for students, athletics, and the Rio Grande Valley. The Vackars also share honest thoughts on  UTRGV Footbal...