Kevynne Aleman
08/28/23
Two former University of Texas Pan American basketball players created a podcast that focuses on sports from UTPA days to what is now UTRGV’s legacy.
The Saddle Up podcast also includes guests who represent UTRGV’s Athletics department.
Matt Palmquist and Gonzalo Garza played together for the UTPA Broncos in the late 1990s, which allowed them to experience the Bronc family.
They launched the Saddle Up podcast six months ago and had Vice President and Director of Athletics Chasse Conque as its first guest. Before they had things up and running, Palmquist talks about how the idea came into play during the pandemic.
“We did happy hour Zooms with the guys,” he said. “G and I talk a lot via text, or phone call, FaceTime and we never really touched on it until the end 2022 and we were talking about it and I was like, ‘Hey what do you think about this idea?’ and G was all for it.”
Senior Associate Athletic Director for Communications & Championships Jonah Goldberg was a guest on the podcast.
“What I found so cool about them is what they’re doing,” Goldberg said. “It’s really just shining a light on the history of athletics at our university. They spoke to an alum from the ’60s the other day and I know they’re coming to present also. So, it’s really all across the board. Some of the stories that you hear are ones that I’ve never heard before and I think a lot of people haven’t heard before.”
The podcast is recorded via Zoom, but the Vaquero nation will have a chance to meet the duo when the volleyball team plays against the Stephen F. Austin Lady Jacks at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 26 at the UTRGV Fieldhouse. Garza elaborates what they’re planning that day.
“During the day, we are trying to work out something with Jonah in which we are set up maybe near the Bronc Village, where we are going to be set up like tailgating for the volleyball game,” he said. “We are going to have ‘subscribe’ stickers. We are going to be giving away little goodies. It’s going to be a party.”
To watch and listen to previous and new episodes, visit saddleuppodcast.com or follow @saddle_up_pod on Instagram.
This is Kevynne Aleman for Vaquero Radio.
