By RGVFútbol/Staff

EDINBURG, 6 Feb. - More than a decade after the first collegiate soccer program in the Rio Grande Valley disappeared due to Title IX, the University of Texas-Pan American announced Wednesday that soccer will return to the NCAA Division I institution with a women’s program in 2014, and a men’s program in 2015.

"The addition of both these Bronc programs will finally provide the Valley with Division I soccer after more than a 10-year hiatus," said UTPA Athletic Director Chris King. "Our local Rio Grande Valley high schools have had a lot of success and this is going to allow us to keep that talent here in the Valley, in front of their family and friends, while obtaining a quality, tier-1 education."

UTPA’s original men’s soccer program began in the early 1970’s and was dropped in the late 1990’s due to Title IX, which seeks gender equality in all collegiate academics and athletics.

With the addition of UTPA’s new soccer programs over the next two years, the Broncs will be one of only four Division I soccer programs in Texas.

"What’s awesome is that UTPA will be one of four DI men’s soccer programs in the state of Texas, and it’s going to allow us to keep this talent here in South Texas," said King.

The search for a women’s soccer coach began immediately after the conclusion of the news conference and the university hopes to name a head coach by May 1.

A men’s head coach search will begin in the fall and wrap up by Jan. 2014, according to King.

At the moment UTPA does not have a practice field or home field, but King announced that the university is "looking at building brand new soccer and track complex in the near future."

In addition to the announcement of the two new UTPA soccer programs, King also announced that Val LaMantia-Piesen donated a $275,000 leadership gift to establish the William D. Piesen Endowed Scholarship for Intercollegiate Soccer, which established the first endowed scholarship for the UTPA men’s and women’s soccer teams.

The unique prerequisite to receive the scholarship is that the student-athlete must be from the Valley.

"Our players won’t have to go to North Dakota or North Carolina," said UTPA President Robert Nelsen. "We have people from the Valley that are in the pro’s and because of Val, we have the opportunity to have students do this."