The Rio Grande Valley Fellowship of Christian Athletes was birthed in 1972.  The Pan American University (as it was called back then) tennis coach, Dennis Conner, being a new Christian, was looking for an outlet to impact and influence his players and other Pan Am athletes for Jesus Christ.  He found out about the FCA ministry and began a "Chapter" (College FCA used to be called chapters) at the college and the rest is history.

The local FCA ministry has grown from a couple of Huddles in McAllen and Mission to a record 101 "Certified" Huddles in 2011.  There are over 5000 student/athletes and hundreds of coaches and teachers meeting weekly or bi-monthly in Junior and Senior High as well as Collegiate campuses all over the Valley.

As the National ministry has grown and added outreaches to its programming so has the Rio Grande Valley.  Ministries added over the years have included Junior High, Woman's, Coach's, and the One Way 2 Play-Drug Free (OW2P!) anti-drug and alcohol emphasis.

The staff has grown from one volunteer in 1972 to 5 staff in the Rio Grande Valley, and 3 in the Corpus Christi Area.  This coming school year (2011-2012), 2 more staff will be added to the RGV.  With over 150, 000 secondary (6-12) school students in the Valley the staff remain busy fulfilling the vision of the FCA; "to present to athletes and coaches, and all who they influence, the challenge and adventure of receiving Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, serving Him in their relationships and in the fellowship of the church."