Saddle Up Podcast

Trust us, we aren't throwing you any 'curve-balls' with this episode, just giving you the 'heater' and 'sliding' right into your Friday! Fred Villarreal, professional baseball player and Valley native joins the show this week and talks about the struggles growing up, his time playing AAU with some current MLB players and his love for the Brownsville community. We are sw...

This week, Liana Cisneros a native and graduate of UTPA, shares her story of growing up in McAllen, playing sports, and how an intership changed her life forever.

In this episode, we sit down with Max Franco, a proud University of Texas at Brownsville (UTB) alum and Brownsville native, renowned for his innovative 'Get Stretchy' movement. Dubbed the "body whisperer" by host Gonzalo Garza, Max has dedicated his career to promoting flexibility and holistic well-being. Max shares his journey from the Rio Grande Valley to becoming a leading fig...

🎉 It’s a special birthday episode, but this time,  Gonzalo Garza  isn’t in control! Co-hosts  Valentino Garza  and  Mathias B. Longfellow  take over the show for a wild, unfiltered conversation about  trade-offs in life, sports, and beyond —posing the ultimate question:  What would YOU trade? But that’s not all— G shares a mind-blowing story about how he got his name  and the unexpected twist beh...

Join us for an insightful conversation with Alfonso "Fonz" Mendoza, M.Ed., a proud Rio Grande Valley native and the visionary host of the acclaimed "My EdTech Life" podcast. With over 300 episodes, Fonz has been at the forefront of educational technology discussions, interviewing educators and creators to amplify their voices and share transformative insights.  Beyond podcastin...

Join us as we explore the inspiring journey of Jaret von Rosenberg, a Rio Grande Valley native who has made significant strides in the basketball world. Born in Mission, Texas, Jaret's passion for basketball led him to play at Sharyland High School, followed by collegiate stints at Collin County Community College and the University of Hartford, where he became the all-time leader in career free th...

Ray Castillo came from south side San Antonio, but his journey wasnt just that clear. His remarkable journey of trials, tribulations, and a teammates bond that lasted from High School to Edinburg. You wont want to miss this. LFG.

Introducing Molly Castner, the Deputy Director of Athletics and Senior Woman Administrator at UTRGV, who has been instrumental in advancing the university's athletic programs since joining in September 2019. UTRGV ATHLETICS With a rich background in athletic administration, Molly previously served at Little Rock, where she collaborated with Vice President and Director of Athletics Chasse Conqu...

We'll take 'Southern Gentlemen for $800' please. 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 Jeporday.

It’s a fresh start for 2025, and the dynamic duo of G Garza and Matt Palmquist are shaking things up! In this special episode, they’re flying solo—no guests, just the hosts diving into an in-depth conversation about life, their personal journeys, and the evolving landscape of UTRGV sports. From heartfelt reflections to bold predictions for the new year, G and Matt deliver an authentic and engaging...

Discover the incredible basketball journey of Mike Thompson, former point guard for UTPA Basketball, whose roots in the gritty playgrounds of New York City shaped his competitive edge and court vision. Before his collegiate career, Mike was a high school standout in Connecticut, where he led his team to back-to-back State Championships alongside basketball legends Marcus Camby and Kendrick Moore....

Meet Marco Regalado, Assistant Football Coach at UTRGV and one of the nation’s brightest coaching talents, recently named to the prestigious Top 35 Under 35 Football Coaches list. Marco is helping lay the foundation for the UTRGV Football program alongside Head Coach Travis Bush and an outstanding staff, working tirelessly to shape a team that will make the university and the Rio Grande Valley pro...

Meet Gordon Thomas, Assistant Athletic Director for Alumni Relations at UTRGV and a true champion for Vaquero pride! Gordon has dedicated his career to strengthening the bond between UTRGV and its alumni, creating lasting connections that celebrate the university’s rich history and vibrant future. Through his leadership, he has spearheaded initiatives to engage alumni in athletics, academics, and...

Relive the remarkable journey of Greg Guy, former UTPA Men’s Basketball player and one of the most electrifying scorers in NCAA history. During his time at UTPA, Greg led the nation in scoring, cementing his legacy as one of the greatest players in the program’s history. Beyond his incredible achievements on the court, Greg has remained a dedicated supporter of the university and an advocate for p...

Meet Joaquin Pistokache, a Valley native, former UTRGV Men’s Basketball player, and successful entrepreneur making a difference on and off the court. Joaquin’s dedication to his alma mater and the local community has been unwavering, and he continues to inspire through his leadership and entrepreneurial spirit. As the founder of Pistokache Gym, he provides a space for individuals of all fitness le...

We celebrate an incredible human being this week, Dr. Dora Saavedra, a longtime Communications Professor at UTRGV, who has dedicated over 30 years to educating and inspiring students in the Rio Grande Valley. With a passion for communication theory and research, Dr. Saavedra has not only been a beloved professor but also a prolific scholar, contributing to the field through numerous published arti...

Meet Roberta Santos, former UTB Assistant Volleyball Coach and accomplished collegiate athlete, who now shares insights into her dynamic journey from the volleyball court to full-time Mom life. Roberta’s coaching experience at UTB and her own successful playing career at FGCU laid the foundation for her deep understanding of the game and passion for developing athletes. In this exclusive interview...

Albert "Hollywood' Jackson Munoz is a valley native who grew up in Pharr. A PSJA alum and former Mascot for his high school as well, Albert always had aspirations of performing. He found the perfect role as 'Bucky the Bronc'. Get to know who was underneath the costume all those games in this week's episode. Ladies and gentlemen, we present to you Mr. "Hollywood" Munoz.

This guy and episode do not miss!! ASK Lalo Rios. Matt Santangelo from Gonzaga University joins the show this week. He has been a thorn in UTPA History for 25+ years, but TRUST US, Matt is an All-American great guy!!! Listen to his version of Dec. 28,1998, now. LFG.

Dive into the inspiring story of Kacey Warrick, a former standout in UTPA Women’s Long-Distance Track & Field. Known for her resilience and determination, Kacey competed in major events & championships, where she consistently set personal records. She represented UTPA with pride. Her collegiate career was marked by grit and the ability to push beyond limits, making her a key figure in UTPA...

Join us for an inspiring conversation with former UTPA Women’s Golfer Libby Garza! During her collegiate career, Libby was a standout player, showcasing her skills and determination on the course. As a key member of the UTPA golf team, she competed at various prestigious tournaments, consistently delivering strong performances and representing her school with pride. Now, as an advocate for women i...

Linda Moncivias's inspiring story of growing up in the Valley and always envisioning a better life from the poverty-stricken neighborhoods of Hidalgo. She wasn't running from something, she has always been running to it! You will love this episode!

Step into the world of former UTPA Men’s Basketball Head Coach Ryan Marks, as we explore his impactful career and leadership. Known for transforming programs and developing players, Coach Marks led UTPA from 2009 to 2013, where he elevated the team’s performance with strategic coaching and a relentless focus on fundamentals. With prior head coaching experience at Southern Vermont College and St. E...

Get to know UTRGV Men's Tennis Head Coach Nathan Robinson in this exclusive interview! With a passion for player development and a wealth of coaching experience, Coach Robinson has guided teams to impressive regional and national success. Before joining UTRGV, he honed his leadership at both the collegiate and professional levels. Discover how Coach Robinson is building a winning culture and w...

This episode is dedicated to someone near and dear to our hearts. Shannon Palmquist has been a fan of the show since its inception, but more importantly, she has been cheering for both Matt and Gonzalzo for over 2 decades now! This means a lot to us both, find out why.