Saddle Up Podcast

This episode has been thought about since the beginning of the podcast. Patrick Harrington was a brother, father, husband, friend and basketball coach. He was loved, admired and respected by all those who encountered his presence. This week we honor him in a tribute by inviting his older brother and one of his best friends.

In this episode of the Saddle Up Podcast, we sit down with  Houston Moore , the  Head Coach of UTRGV Men's Golf , to discuss his journey in the world of golf, his vision for the UTRGV golf program, and his approach to developing student-athletes both on and off the course. Houston shares insights into the recruitment process, the challenges of coaching at the collegiate level, and how he's...

Season 4 is upon us, and we could not have asked a better person to kick off the new season with than, Chasse Conque, Director of Athletics! Let him give you the State of the union address for UTRGV Athletics and the remarkable things happening on campus!

SEASON 3 FINALE!!! G and Matt reflect on the journey of season 3, and some of the guests that blessed us with their presence this past season. We'll be back in August with new guests and many more stories to share.

John King, founder of Imagine It Studios and former RGV Sports Anchor joins the show this week, and he is bringing receipts! Listen to him tell his favorite stories!

This week's guest is a former Memorial High School standout and one of the best athletes to ever grace the volleyball court at the University. Rebecca Boykin, talks about her journey, her last season at UTPA and what she does now to find that competitive side.

Betsy Graham, newly named UTRGV Swimming coach, joins the show this week and talks about her journey which led her to Edinburg Texas.

Victoria Pena, a Rio Grande Valley native, joins the show to talk about the inspiration she had growing up in Edinburg and how she helps lead that very same inspiration throughout with Valley youth. Coach Lane Lord has a great young coach on his staff, she is helping make a difference at UTRGV!

This week we welcome the current NBA G-League Dunk Champion and UTRGV alum, Jordan Jackson. Playing for coach Lew Hill for most of his collegiate career, Jordan found success. But this was not his first taste of the basketball spotlight! Find out more in this episode!

Lindsey Krouse joins the show this week. Recently inducted into the UTRGV Hall of Fame for her achievements in Track & Field during her time as a Bronc. Hear her stories of what motivates her, what she does now for a living and much more.

The Croatian sensation, El Presidente, and Big O are all nicknames for Ivan Ostarcevic who played for UTPA in the late 90s. Listen to his story of escaping war as a teenager, his love for the Valley, and how he took it upon himself to structure a student-athlete committee to protect the athletes for years to come.

This week, Jason Patterson joins the show to talk about his remarkable journey into college coaching and how he found himself in South Texas coaching alongside Delray Brooks and George Morgan. This Nevada native found the love of his life and a true sense of peace while living in the Rio Grande Valley.

Shelly Castillo, one of the newest members of the UTRGV Hall Of Fame for her time on the Track & Field/ Cross Country team in 1996, joins the show this week. Listen now!

Bobby Saenz is our guest this week on the Saddle Up podcast. As an entrepreneur driven by his family and his community, Bobby set out with a Chef as his partner to create something special. He is a huge fan of sports and is now a major sponsor for UTRGV Athletics. Ladies and gentlemen, the Bobby Saenz episode is here... it's dang good!

🎙️🌟 Welcome to another episode of the Saddle Up Podcast, your go-to source for all things UTRGV Athletics! 🌟🎙️ 🏛️ Join us as we sit down with Dr. Guy Bailey, the distinguished President of UTRGV. With a career dedicated to enhancing higher education, Dr. Bailey brings a wealth of knowledge and leadership that has profoundly impacted our university community. 🎓📈 🔊 Episode Highlights: 🎤 Dr. Ba...

Newly named UTRGV Men's Basketball Head Coach, Kahil Fennell, does not have the most conventional path to becoming a Division 1 Head Coach. His journey from copier sales to flying on private charters after beating a Roy Williams-coached University of North Carolina team. Coach Fennell is looking forward to changing the direction of the UTRGV Mball program, it starts now!

Many people might know Gavin Navarro came from Edinburg North High School, attended UTPA briefly, and then went chasing Hollywood. But what you might not know is what fueled him to dream big, the person that loaned him $300 to get to California, and how hard he has fought to stay in 'Tensil town'. His movie, The Long Game, is out now.... but Gavin bet on himself even though it was a 'l...

Barbara Barrera, landed on the UTPA campus as a sophomore tennis player from West Texas... she never left. Find out who designed her conference championship ring, her love for the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, why she felt out of place when she first got to Edinburg, and of course a crazy dorm story from co-host G Garza. LFG!!!

UTRGV Football is coming to the Rio Grande Valley in the Fall of 2025. Meet the man tasked with leading the helm and putting that winning tradition together. Travis Bush, joins the Saddle Up Podcast this week to discuss his upbringing, his vision, and what he would tell Gonzalo at halftime if he is having a regrettable first half.

Coach Derek Matlock brings the energy as always this episode! Listen to him tell the story of how he got down the Edinburg, what he loves about the University, and his favorite spot to eat in Edinburg, My Place Mexican Cafe. You don't want to miss this.... also find out why we got to pour beers on him after their game against Grand Canyon University. Saddle Up, lets gooooooo!

Jai Steadman has been around the Vaquero program for years and has been rooted in the community for many more. His journey consists of several stops at major universities and winning championships with professional NBA GLeague RGV Vipers. He talks about his bond with former Head Coach Lew Hill and the impact he played in his life.

A legendary figure from Austin Texas who arguably played for one of the most iconic & influential college basketball teams in NCAA history ---Ray Jackson. Ray joins the show to give love to Matt & G, talk AAU and the state of college basketball, and his favorite spot to eat in his hometown. He gives insight into the school he would have chosen if not for Michigan and what his mission is no...

Gloria Arismendi, one of "The Classics" as they are called, joins the show this week. She was a part of the inaugural team for UTPA Women's Golf in 1993. Listen to her journey, how she knows Gonzalo, and her plans on reuniting the alumni in a golf tournament.

Micah McAdams, the first recruit ever signed by Delray Brooks tenure in 1997 joins the show this week. Micah was not at UTPA very long due to injury, but the impression he left on his teammates was undeniable. A Deer Park native, he shares his fondness for the Rio Grande Valley and how much he misses his former teammates.

Arguably one of the most genuine and solid human beings you may ever meet and also one of the best point guards to play for U.T. Pan American, Kevin Mitchell. He talks about his path to Edinburg, the JUCO Dream team that was assembled, and where the game of basketball has taken him. He is a great dude, this is a great episode. #saddleuppodcast #saddleup