MIAMI - While it was on display for the first game of the 2023 FIU Football Stadium, the true debut for the new Vamos Panteras mural will be this Saturday for FIU's Hispanic Heritage Kickoff game against North Texas, 6:30 p.m. on ESPN+.

FIU Athletics worked with first-generation Cuban-American, Miami native, and FIU alumnus, Ivan Roque, 2017, to create a custom piece of art for inside the stadium. Roque ideated the design with assistance from the FIU Athletics Brand Advancement team and then spray painted it onto a wall just inside Gate 4 on the South Concourse of FIU Football Stadium.

Check out the full video interview with Roque below.



"The first thing that sprung to my mind is that I want to make something that is representative of not only (Latin pride and being an FIU alumnus), but of South Florida as well," Roque said. "The Panther, aside from being the mascot of the school, represents a lot of power and strength. It's an endangered species here in South Florida, and something we take great pride in protecting as well.

"The same (can be said) for Latinos," Roque continued. "We tend to take pride in our heritage and our cultures, no matter if we're born in our home countries or first-generation like myself, or second-generation, third-generation, it's just deeply rooted within us. In order to capture that I kind of wanted to create something that's very loud, something that represents us all."
 
Roque also created a custom sticker for the event, which will be available on a first-come, first-served basis at the gates this Saturday. See stickers in the gallery above or images below.

The Panthers host North Texas this Saturday at 6:30 p.m. at FIU Football Stadium. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. as FIU will debut its new Biscayne Blue uniforms for the home crowd.