Established in 1891 as McAllen Coyote University until the school decided to open their enrollment to all species in 1956, re-naming to McAllen P&M, then in 1967 to Rio Grande Valley P&M until in 1996 when they took "P&M" out of the school's name. The only things that haven't changed are using a pennant for the logo and calling their teams the "Conquistadors."

Cortez Plaza holds 8,700 for basketball and also hosts volleyball and wrestling.