[2] The Vaqueros inherited the NCAA Division I status of the Texas–Pan American Broncs and were full members of the Western Athletic Conference through the 2023–24 school year[3] In March 2024, it was reported that the Vaqueros would leave the WAC for the Southland Conference, beginning in the 2024-25 academic year.

[4] A member of the Southland Conference, UTRGV sponsors teams in eight men's and eight women's NCAA sanctioned sports:[5] UTPA, then Pan American College, won the 1963 NAIA Division I men's basketball tournament under Coach Sam Williams.

Upon Lemons' departure to the University of Texas at Austin, Bill White was named the head basketball coach.

While at Pan American, Coach White led the Broncs to their first post-season tournament play at the Division I level.

[6] The UTPA baseball squad placed 4th in the 1971 College World Series under Coach Al Ogletree.

[8] UTRGV has since delayed the start of varsity football to the 2025 season, though it plans to play an exhibition schedule in 2024.

The school purchased H-E-B Park – later renamed to Robert and Janet Vackar Stadium – in 2024 to be the primary home of the football team in 2025.

However, the UTRGV athletic program was moved to the Southland Conference (SLC) before the football team ever played a game as a UAC member.

The Broncs left the Sun Belt Conference at the end of the 1997–98 season and returned to independent status.

In 2008 it was announced that the Broncs would be charter members of the previously football-only Great West Conference when it began all-sports play in 2008.