AUSTIN, Texas -- UT Athletics officials and representatives of the State of Nuevo León, Mexico today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), creating a partnership to promote the positive development of athletes in the spirit of competition and sportsmanship.

Participating in the Austin ceremony were Christine Plonsky, UT Women's Athletics Director and Senior Associate Athletics Director/External Services; José Natividad González Paras, Governor of the State of Nuevo León; and Melody Falcó, General Director of the State Institute of Physical Culture and Sports (INDE).

The agreement highlights the working relationship between the states in areas of education, culture and trade under the Regional Partnership for Progress framework.

In January, UT President Bill Powers announced that The University would be collaborating with the International Partnership of Greater Austin (IP Austin) to promote the growing, close bilateral relationships between Central Texas and Mexico in key areas -- from research and education to government and business exchange.

Nearly 300 students from Mexico attend UT this year pursuing undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. From the executive MBA program in Mexico City to scientific collaborations with Mexican institutions to UT being ranked No. 1 in Latin American history (by U.S. News & World Report), The University offers a growing array of Mexican and Latin American programs. 

The MOU is an understanding between the INDE and UT Athletics, with the main objective being to strengthen the relationship between Nuevo León and UT by promoting the positive development of athletes in the spirit of competition and sportsmanship.

In order to achieve this objective the parties will mainly focus on the following programs:
· Explore possible scrimmage opportunities within NCAA playing and practice season rules.
· Encourage Nuevo León student-athletes and coaches to participate in UT sports camps.
· Communicate opportunities for Nuevo León student-athlete participation in open competition events (swimming & diving invitationals, Texas Relays outdoor track & field events, etc.).
· Explore exchange of educational sports, strength & conditioning, and sports medicine policy information between UT coaches and athletics staff.
· Permit visiting Nuevo León coaches to observe UT coaches during official practices and competitions.

INDE signed a similar memorandum with the Austin Independent School District in 2004.