Vaquero mascot graduates at UTRGV Fall 2024 Commencement

By Amanda Alaniz

As the UTRGV Fall 2024 commencement celebrations came to an end on Saturday, Dec. 14, the mystery of the Vaquero mascot’s identity was unveiled.

The Vaquero hat came off, and a graduation cap took its place for UTRGV bilingual education major Marco Morales. It marked a triumphant transition from spirited mascot to proud graduate.

To make the announcement official to the graduating class during the 4 p.m. ceremony, Morales walked across the stage at the Bert Ogden Arena sporting the identifiable Vaquero mascot boots.

Morales wore the Vaquero mascot suit for about a year, helping spread UTRGV spirit through countless events.

From Edinburg, Morales said that being the mascot required a very different mindset; pushing him outside of his usual quiet self.

“It’s very different. Right now, there’s people around, so I get nervous. It’s like, ‘Hey, I don’t want to interrupt anybody.’ But when you put on the suit, it’s different,” he said. “Once you put on the head, it’s like, oh my goodness, I want to go interrupt everybody.”

When Morales began his UTRGV journey, being the face of the university wasn’t on his to-do list. He was part of the UTRGV Pep Band’s drumline when then spirit coach, Lora Solis, asked if he could assist with the cheerleading squad.

The team needed a stand-in for the mascot at an event, so Morales suited up and decided to embrace the spirit of the university.

“I went to a few dance classes and went to tumbling classes. I did have to learn to break dance a little,” he said. “I learned a lot. It was a lot of fun.”

Morales even competed alongside the UTRGV Cheer Team at the Universal Cheerleaders Association College Cheerleading National Championship held at Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando in 2022, where the team placed fourth in the Small Co-Ed Game Division.

FROM MASCOT TO MENTOR

When Morales wasn’t pumping up the crowds at UTRGV events, he was in front of the classroom, getting fourth graders at an elementary school in Donna excited about math. He’s currently completing his student teaching requirements to move forward with his teaching career.

Morales may not have been in the Vaquero costume while teaching basic math skills to his students, he brought elements of the mascot’s persona into the classroom.

“As the mascot, you got to pick the crowd back up, get people excited about it. So, I think doing that will help me in the classroom. I got to learn to talk to the kids,” he said. “And what I mean by that is you have to learn to talk to the crowd, which now is the kids. You have to learn to keep them engaged, how to keep them motivated.”

He channeled the mascot’s energy in the classroom without bringing the recognizable costume through the door.

FAMILY, GRATITUDE AND THE MASCOT

As he prepared for the Saturday afternoon graduation ceremony, Morales reflected on his support system – his family. They helped him keep the secret of being the mascot while finishing his college journey.

“Thank you,” he said to his family. “Thank you for always supporting me. Thank you for always saying, ‘Yes, go ahead and do it. We will support you, take charge of your life.’ Thank you for everything.”

As he closes the chapter on his secret identity as the Vaquero mascot, Morales hopes he left a joyful impression on the university community.

“I was always hoping people took away positivity and a good laugh,” he said with a chuckle. “I think that’s what mascots are here for – a good laugh, a fun time. And I think we always accomplished that. We were always comedians.”