Jaguar Basketball Celebrates Inaugural Season Opener

Texas A&M University-San Antonio proudly celebrated the inaugural games of its men’s and women’s basketball teams, marking a major milestone for the University. Kicking off the 2024-25 season, A&M-San Antonio faced off against Southern University at New Orleans in the newly opened Recreation Center before a packed house of 900-plus cheering fans. 
 
“This changes the face of our University forever,” said President Salvador Hector Ochoa during halftime. 

The women's basketball team, led by coach Chris Minner, took to the court first and secured an 89-73 victory. The men’s team, led by coach Chris Dial, came up short, losing 85-76.  

The addition of the basketball program represents a significant step forward for A&M-San Antonio, complementing other sports programs, including men’s and women’s soccer, men’s golf, and softball. The University competes in the NAIA as a member of the Red River Athletic Conference. 

Among a standing room of students, faculty, staff, and community members, several VIPs were in attendance, including Mayor Ron Nirenberg, former Mayor Henry Cisneros, Councilmember Dr. Adriana Rocha Garcia, as well as Dr. Maria Hernandez Ferrier, the University’s inaugural president. 

“This is truly a historic time for A&M-San Antonio,” said Athletic Director Darnell Smith, named the 2023-24 Red River Athletic Conference Athletic Director of the Year. “As one of the fastest-growing universities in Texas, adding basketball to our intercollegiate sports programs further enhances our campus traditions and strengthens our connection with the local community.” 

During the break between the women’s and men’s games, the University honored Sen. Pete Flores with an on-court presentation, recognizing his instrumental role in the passage of SB 399, which authorized A&M-San Antonio to establish a fee supporting its Intercollegiate Athletics Program. 
 
“All I want is for the kids on the south side of the interstate to have the same things as the kids on the other side,” Flores said during the presentation.

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About Texas A&M University-San Antonio

Established as a stand-alone university in 2009, Texas A&M University-San Antonio is a comprehensive four-year public university that reflects the culturally diverse, heritage-rich community it serves. Situated on nearly 700 acres in South San Antonio, the University offers 39 undergraduate degrees and 23 graduate degrees to about 8,040 students. A&M-San Antonio is home to the Henry G. Cisneros Institute for Emerging Leaders, the Cyber Engineering Technology/Cyber Security Research Center, and the Mays Center for Experiential Learning and Community Engagement. The University holds the Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) designation and has received the Seal of Excelencia certification from Excelencia in Education for its support of Latino student success. Approximately 65 percent of A&M-SA students identify as Hispanic, and about 70 percent are the first in their families to attend college. A&M-San Antonio is a military-embracing institution; the University was awarded the 2023 Gold Veteran Education Excellence Recognition Award (VEERA) from the Texas Veterans Commission. Visit tamusa.edu for more information. #onamission