Momentum Rising

More than 900 fans packed into Texas A&M University–San Antonio’s new Recreation Center to watch the women’s basketball team take on Southern University at New Orleans. After a tough back-and-forth contest, the buzzer sounded, securing an 89–73 victory for the Jaguars as the crowd—including then-Mayor Ron Nirenberg, former Mayor Henry Cisneros, and then-Councilmember Dr. Adriana Rocha Garcia—erupted with cheers.  

They had good reason to be excited. The Oct. 28, 2024, matchup was more than a single win. It marked the debut of men’s and women’s basketball and signaled the next chapter for A&M–San Antonio Athletics, which also includes men’s and women’s soccer, men’s golf, and softball.  

In less than five years, Jaguar Athletics has grown into a powerful force—serving as the front porch to the University and transforming campus spirit. As momentum builds, the University is shaping a culture rooted in excellence while inspiring students to connect, compete, and believe in something bigger than themselves. 

Beating the Odds 

Momentum defines this era for Jaguar Athletics—a program that began against all odds and is now on a trajectory of growth and excellence. 

With four active competitive sports, six teams, over 130 student-athletes, numerous conference achievements, and expanding facilities, the University’s accomplishments are remarkable for such a young program. 

It all began in 2019, when students voted to approve a $10-per-credit-hour fee to fund an intercollegiate athletics program. The Texas A&M System Board of Regents soon gave approval, clearing the way for A&M–San Antonio to launch Jaguar Athletics. The University competes in the NAIA’s Red River Athletic Conference (RRAC), with member institutions across Texas, Louisiana, and New Mexico.  

 

"I'm so glad I took a leap of faith to start my coaching career there, because it gave me the experience and opportunity to come back home and help start A&M-San Antonio's athletics program."

~ Coach Christi Cano

Dr. Darnell Smith was selected as the University’s inaugural athletic director. A San Antonio native, Smith previously served nearly a decade as assistant athletic director of compliance at the University of Central Oklahoma. 

But just as the program began to take shape, an unexpected challenge emerged. 

“The University hosted a press conference on January 15, 2020, and I got to introduce myself to the community,” Smith said. “About two months later, COVID-19 hit.”  

Despite the disruption, Smith was able to hire important key leaders. Among the earliest additions was Christi Cano, men’s head golf coach and assistant athletic director. At the time, Cano, a San Antonio native, was working as the men’s head golf coach at the University of Houston-Victoria.  

“Houston was my first coaching gig, and I’m so glad I took a leap of faith to start my coaching career there, because it gave me the experience and opportunity to come back home and help start A&M-San Antonio’s athletics program,” she said.  

Another early addition was Nicole Dame, head softball coach. Like Cano and Smith, Dame is a San Antonio native. She previously served as the assistant softball coach at Austin’s Concordia University Texas from 2016 to 2020. Prior to that, she worked as the head coach at several high schools.   

“I had been at Concordia for five seasons, and I was ready to explore what head coaching opportunities were out there when I found out about the opening at A&M-San Antonio,” she said. “I was lucky enough to get the job. It was like the stars aligned for me.”   

Along with the coaches, another early hire was Deputy Athletic Director Stephen Sherman, who previously served as an assistant athletic director and head coach for cross country and track and field at Our Lady of the Lake University. 

But soon after the arrival of Cano, Dame and Sherman, the national shutdown halted progress. 

“Sports were put on hold,” said Smith. “And not just locally, but globally.” 

Despite the challenges presented, the University regrouped and officially launched its athletics program in spring 2021, beginning with softball and men’s golf. However, with some COVID-19 restrictions still in place, the coaches had to conduct most of their work remotely.   

What It Takes to Start from Scratch 

Launching a new athletics program is not written in a playbook. It takes vision, persistence, and a relentless commitment to the program and to student-athletes. For coaches Dame and Cano, that meant creating opportunity from a blank slate.   

The process began with recruiting, no small feat for a program that did not yet exist, while also adhering to COVID social distancing rules. But the coaches were able to inspire the first student-athletes to come to A&M-San Antonio. 

“We made a lot of phone calls and held countless video meetings to recruit players and build our roster,” Dame said. 

One of Dame’s early recruits was Ebbie Rodriguez, who embraced the challenge of joining a brand-new team. Rodriguez would also go on to forge an impressive athletic career during her time at the University, including being named the most valuable pitcher during the 2023 RRAC Softball Tournament.   

“It was very exciting to start with a brand-new program,” Rodriguez said. “I’m a San Antonio native, and when I got the offer to play for Coach Dame, I was like, 100 percent, I'm there.” 

With the excitement came the reality of the challenges a new program faces: limited facilities, minimal equipment, and the pressure of proving themselves.   

“You just had to trust the process,” she said. “But we all grinded it out, and that first year was truly great. Everyone on the team worked together. It was a big learning experience because I saw what it takes to grow a program from the ground up.”  

That resilience and teamwork paid off. Rodriguez earned a bachelor’s degree in 2023 and graduated with an MBA the following year. She recently completed the nursing program at the UT Health San Antonio (now UT San Antonio) School of Nursing and now works in the pediatric intensive care unit at Methodist Children's Hospital.   

Even with all her new job responsibilities, Rodriguez continues to come back to campus, working with Dame as a volunteer assistant coach. 

“I had to come back because I wanted to be part of the program and show how truly grateful I am for the opportunity the coaches gave me,” she said. 

Like Dame, golf coach Cano also relied heavily on virtual recruiting—convincing athletes to join a program they could not yet see. 

“I told them they had the chance to build the first-ever golf team from the ground up,” Cano said. “Fortunately, A&M–San Antonio sells itself, and the A&M name holds a lot of weight in Texas.” 

 

"It was very exciting to start with a brand-new program. I'm a San Antonio native, and when I got the offer to play for Coach Dame, I was like, 100 percent, I'm there."

~ Ebbie Rodriguez '23

Her first recruit was Javier Jazo, who later became the University’s first male student-athlete to graduate. He earned his MBA in 2023 and now works as a senior manager at the Defense Research Institute in his hometown of Chicago. During his time at the University, he received the Red River Athletic Conference Champions of Character Award and was named a Red River Athletic Conference Association of Student-Athletes representative.  

“My time at A&M-San Antonio was great,” Jazo said. “I had a remarkable experience, and the instructors and professors were world-class. Coach Cano and I are still great friends. She taught me so much, and she’s so well respected.” 

Taking the Next Step 

The launch of softball and golf was only the beginning. With those programs off to a strong start, A&M–San Antonio set its sights on expanding opportunities for student-athletes and deepening its presence in collegiate sports. Soccer was next to debut in fall 2021. 

Roberto Jaramillo is the head men’s soccer coach and Tim Moody is the women’s head coach. Both programs have made impressive strides. The men’s team finished the 2024-25 season with an 11–4–2 record, marking the most successful season in program history. Meanwhile, three Jaguars on the women’s team were selected for the RRAC 2025 All-Conference Team.  

The momentum does not stop there, as Jaguar Athletics expanded its sports program once again with the launch of basketball in fall 2024. Under Head Coach Chris Minner, the women’s team earned a spot in the 2025 RRAC Tournament as the No. 4 seed in the program’s inaugural season. The men’s team, under Head Coach Chris Dial, had multiple players earn RRAC All-Conference honors during their inaugural season, including Alex Nunnally, who received the All-Conference Champions of Character Team Award for his leadership and dedication as a player and teammate.   

As the University’s athletic director, Smith said he is very proud of the past five years and all that the coaches and players have accomplished. Their successes represent more than wins and titles—they reflect a strategic vision and a shared commitment. 

“After COVID, we figured out a way forward,” he said. “We started with sports that made sense from a competitive, financial, and community standpoint and then hired coaches who believed in our mission and recruited student-athletes who shared that vision.” 

Facilities Fuel Growth and Community Connection 

As the athletics program expands, so do the facilities that bring students, families, and fans together. The new Recreation Center, which opened in 2024, hosts men’s and women’s basketball. The 22,322-square-foot venue features a fitness center, locker rooms, retractable volleyball nets, and seating for approximately 900 spectators. 

The University also unveiled its state-of-the-art athletics complex in spring 2026, which features an eight-lane NCAA-certified competition track, a multipurpose field, and major upgrades to the softball complex—including new seating for 350 fans, dugouts, and a press box. Along with the Recreation Center, the complex serves as a vibrant new gathering place for students and fans to support Jaguar Athletics.       

“We’re so excited to have this new on-campus field to call home,” said Dame. “We are hoping to get lots of fans to come out and support our team.”  

Bexar County contributed $10 million to support the complex, recognizing its value as a regional asset that benefits both student-athletes and the broader community. 

“This is a strategic step forward for the University,” Smith said. “It strengthens educational and athletic opportunities while filling a critical need for sports and recreation facilities on the South Side.” 

The complex also sets the stage for future expansion. In February, the University announced its plans to begin men’s and women’s track and field and men’s and women’s cross country. The University expects to have the sports’ debut season in fall 2026. 

“We're looking at our options as far as being able to compete at the highest level within our conference and winning a national championship within the next five years,” Smith said. “We've built the foundation, and we’re aiming high. That may be ambitious, but I think we’re in a strong position.”     

Community and Alumni Fuel Jaguar Athletics 

Philanthropic support has played a critical role in the growth and success of Jaguar Athletics, with community members and alumni stepping forward to invest in the University’s future. 

Dr. David Schmidt, longtime physician for the San Antonio Spurs and founder of Sports Medicine Associates of San Antonio, holds the distinction of being the first person to make a financial gift to A&M–San Antonio’s rapidly expanding athletics program. When he learned in 2020 that the University was launching intercollegiate sports, he pledged to donate $10,000 annually for five years. 

“Giving to A&M–San Antonio Athletics was a no-brainer. It’s amazing how the program has grown in such a short time,” Schmidt said. 

"Being able to write checks, not for personal gain, but to support other students, is a testament to the success of our University. It's an awesome feeling to be able to come back and make those contributions."

~ Ryan Bergmann '09

A&M–San Antonio alumnus Ryan Bergmann ’09 was among the basketball program’s earliest donors. A business administration graduate who now runs the Bergmann Law Firm PLLC, Bergmann was eager to support the University’s new basketball teams and the broader growth of Jaguar Athletics. 

“Being able to write checks, not for personal gain, but to support other students, is a testament to the success of our University,” Bergmann said. “It’s an awesome feeling to be able to come back and make those contributions.” 

Bergmann’s gift directly supports student-athletes by helping fund travel, equipment, and other essential needs as the program expands. 

Jaguar Athletics Shines in the Red River Athletic Conference 

In five years, Jaguar Athletics has earned standout recognition across the Red River Athletic Conference and beyond. 

• Men’s Golf: Captured its first-ever tournament victory at the 2025 Chicken Express Classic, with player Jacob Pena earning RRAC Golfer of the Year and Conference Champion honors. The team also set a new program record for best single-round score during the win. 

• Softball: Received the 2024–25 RRAC Sportsmanship Award. In 2023, three players were named NAIA Scholar-Athletes, and standout athletes Yaya Jones and Peyton Vasquez earned NFCA All-Region recognition. 

• Men’s Soccer: Made its first-ever RRAC tournament appearance in 2022. Four student-athletes were placed on the 2025 Red River Athletic Conference Men's Soccer All-Conference Teams, capping off a historic year. 

• Women’s Soccer: Earned three consecutive RRAC tournament appearances, finished the 2025 regular season in fifth place, and advanced into the playoffs as the sixth seed. Several athletes—including Ana Barragan and Maram Abdeljaber—have received All-Conference honors. 

• Basketball: The newest programs are already earning early recognition. Natalia Trevino was named RRAC Women’s Basketball Player of the Year, and Evelyn Lorenzo earned RRAC First-Team All-Conference honors. For the men’s team, junior Antwone Gonzales earned Second Team All-Conference honors, and Alex Nunnally was named to the All-Champions of Character Team.  
• Jaguar Athletics Program Recognition: A&M–San Antonio has achieved back-to-back RRAC Sportsmanship Awards and earned NAIA Gold Status for Champions of Character. Athletic Director Darnell Smith was named 2023-24 RRAC Athletic Director of the Year. The Athletics Department also finished the 2024-25 academic year with a 3.10 GPA, the highest department GPA for an academic year in the program’s history.  

A New Era of Pride and Purpose

From a vision launched on the eve of a global shutdown to packed stands and championship ambitions, Jaguar Athletics has rapidly become the heartbeat of student life and a ralling point for the surrounding community. The University is not only producing competitive teams but also shaping leaders and writing a powerful new chapter for South San Antonio.

As Smith reflected, "We're building champions on the field, on the court, in the classroom, and in the community. The sky's the limit."

With more sports on the horizon and a growing wave of student and community support, Jaguar Athletics is far more than a program—it is a movement redefining pride, purpose, and possibility at A&M-San Antonio.

 

 

 

 

New Sports Added

A&M-San Antonio announced in February 2026 that they'll be adding six new sports to Jaguar Athletics. These additions strengthen the athletics program, bringing more competition and oppportunity for students.

New sports added include:

• Men's and Women's Indoor Track and Field
• Men's and Women's Outdoor Track and Field
• Men's and Women's Cross Country