Following the protests, the UT System issued a press release supporting the "Vaquero" decision.
At the height of the controversy in November 2014, Texas legislator Terry Canales suggested he was considering filing a bill requiring UTRGV to abandon the Vaquero nickname. Canales submitted HB901 in January 2015. If passed, the legislation would require UTRGV to hold a student election for the athletics nickname, with "Broncs" and "Ocelots" on the ballot.
The mascot design was revealed in February 2015. The logo features an orange faced rider in green on a navy blue and green horse. The logo features an outline of Texas in the negative space between the legs of the horse.
In June 2019 the new design for the Vaquero mascot was revealed. The new costumed version was voted on and created by UTRGV students.
== Notable alumni (including UTPA and UTB/TSC) ==
Pablo Almaguer: chair of the State Bar of Texas Board of Directors
Gloria Anzaldúa: novelist, educator, cultural theorist
Jose Luis Betancourt, Jr.: retired Rear …
