UTEP 2024-25 Basketball Game Day Program

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Table of Contents

MinerVision, Colin Deaver

2024

-25 UTEP Miners

UTEP Miners roster

(HS/Previous School)

0 DaCannon Wickware F 6-7 210 SO Tr. Dallas, Texas (Lee College)

1 KJ Thomas G 6-1 170 FR HS Amarillo, Texas (Canyon Randall HS)

2 Jordan Hernandez G 5-11 170 JR TR. El Paso, Texas (Americas HS/Cochise College)

3 Baylor Hebb G 6-2 180 SR 1L

Colleyville, Texas (Colorado State)

4 Corey Camper Jr. G 6-5 180 SR 1L Little Rock, Ark. (Tyler JC)

5 David Terrell Jr. G 6-4 190 SO 1L Dallas, Texas (Mansfield Summit HS)

11 Trey Horton III G 6-5 205 SO 1L Charlotte, N.C. (Providence Day School)

12 Ahamad Bynum G 6-3 180 JR TR Chicago, Ill. (Trinity Valley CC)

13 Devon Barnes G 6-1 175 JR TR El Paso, Texas (Tarleton State)

15 Antwonne Holmes G 6-3 170 JR 2L El Paso, Texas (Chapin HS)

20 Raijon Dispensa F 6-9 210 FR HS Mullica Hill, N.J. (South Kent HS)

23 Otis Frazier III G/F 6-6 210 SR 2L Buckeye, Ariz. (George Mason)

25 Babbacar Mbengue F 7-0 250 R-FR RS Dakar, Senegal (DePaul)

32 Derick Hamilton F 6-10 275 SR 2L Baton Rouge, La. (Bossier Parish CC)

33 Elijah Jones F 6-8 210 SO 1L Pleasantville, N.J. (East Carolina)

34 Kevin Kalu F 6-9 235 SR 3L Baltimore, Md. (Our Lady of Mount Carmel School)

13 Devon Barnes G 6-1 175 JR TR

El Paso, Texas (Tarleton State) 12 Ahamad Bynum G 6-3 180 JR TR

Chicago, Ill. (Trinity Valley CC)

4 Corey Camper Jr. G 6-5 180 SR 1L

Little Rock, Ark. (Tyler JC) 20 Raijon Dispensa F 6-9 210 FR HS Mullica Hill, N.J. (South Kent HS)

23 Otis Frazier III G/F 6-6 210 SR 2L Buckeye, Ariz. (George Mason) 32 Derick Hamilton F 6-10 275 SR 2L Baton Rouge, La. (Bossier Parish CC)

3 Baylor Hebb G 6-2 180 SR 1L

Colleyville, Texas (Colorado State)

2 Jordan Hernandez G 5-11 170 JR TR. El Paso, Texas (Americas HS/Cochise College) 15 Antwonne Holmes G 6-3 170 JR 2L El Paso, Texas (Chapin HS)

11 Trey Horton III G 6-5 205 SO 1L Charlotte, N.C. (Providence Day School)

33 Elijah Jones F 6-8 210 SO 1L Pleasantville, N.J. (East Carolina) 34 Kevin Kalu F 6-9 235 SR 3L Baltimore, Md. (Our Lady of Mount Carmel School) 25 Babbacar Mbengue F 7-0 250 R-FR RS Dakar, Senegal (DePaul)

5 David Terrell Jr. G 6-4 190 SO 1L Dallas, Texas (Mansfield Summit HS)

1 KJ Thomas G 6-1 170 FR HS Amarillo, Texas (Canyon Randall HS)

0 DaCannon Wickware F 6-7 210 SO Tr. Dallas, Texas (Lee College)

Head Coach: Joe Golding | Assistant Coaches: Earl Boykins, Mike Roberts, Bryen Spriggs

opponent rosters

Seattle U Redhawks

0 Brayden Maldonado

G 6-0 171 Jr. Anchorage, Alaska/MSU Denver 1 Maleek Arington

G 6-3 207 Jr. Auburn, Wash./Idaho State 2 Paris Dawson

5 DaSean Stevens

G 6-2 170 Sr. Carson, Calif./Portland State

G 6-3 180 Jr. Redlands, Calif./Mt. San Jacinto College 6 Houran Dan

7 Vasja Pandža

C 6-10 228 Fr. Neimenggu, China//Canyon International (Ariz.)

G 6-8 218 Sr. Leeds, England/The Hotchkiss School (Conn.)

8 Malek Gomma F 6-8 245 So. Seattle, Wash./Ingraham HS/Elite Prep

10 Ray Adams

F 6-8 193 Fr. Olympia, Wash./North Thurston HS 11 John Christofilis

G 6-3 204 R-Jr. Seattle, Wash./O’Dea HS/Creighton 12 Matthew-Alexander Moncrieffe F 6-8 214 Gr. Toronto, Ontario, Canada//Georgia 15 Will Heimbrodt

F 6-7 220 R-Fr. San Anselmo, Calif./Southern California Academy 19 Eric Zheng

G 5-10 167 Fr. Beijing, China/Ruamrudee International School (Bangkok) 21 Viktor Rajković

F 6-6 225 Sr.

Mill Valley, Calif./Golden State Prep

25 Yuto Kawashima F 6-9 215 Fr. Gunma, Japan/Centre of Excellence (Australia)

30 Niko Fotopoulos

96 Kobe Williamson

G 6-3 175 R-So. Seattle, Wash./Chaminade

F 6-8 245 Sr. Melbourne, Australia/Haileybury College

Head Coach: Chris Victor (4th season) Assistant Coaches: Grant Leep, D’Marques Tyson, Steven Shpreyregin, Colin Rardin, Bryce Douglas

Tarleton State Texans

0 Izzy Miles

G 6-1 190 So.

Huntsville, AL / Grissom HS 1 Matt Krass

G 6-2 190 Fr.

Gulfport, MS / St. Patrick Catholic HS 2 Freddy Hicks

3 Ronnie Harrison Jr.

4 Jordan Mizell

5 Malek Archie

6 Marty Silvera

7 Karim Elgizawy

8 Joseph Martinez

9 Collin Course

10 Keitenn Bristow

11 Bubu Benjamin

12 Dantwan Grimes

15 Caleb Evans

21 Nick Krass

23 Chris Mpaka

24 Roy Marom

97 Andy Sigiscar

G/F 6-5 215 Sr. Searcy, AR / Searcy HS

F 6-6 210 So. Forney, TX / Forney HS / Navarro Col.

G 6-2 165 Fr. Plano, TX / Plano East HS

G 6-2 185 Fr. Chicago, IL / McKinney HS

G 6-1 190 Sr. Worcester, MA / Putnam Science Acad.

G 6-3 200 Fr.

G 6-3 190 R-Fr.

G 6-1 190 Sr.

F 6-8 190 Fr.

G 6-6 200 So.

G 6-1 180 Jr.

Cairo Egpyt / Ramsis College American

El Paso, TX / Canutillo HS

Mansfield, TX / Mansfield HS

Wichita Falls, TX / Holiday HS

Medicine Hat, AB, Canada / Edge Sch.

Ocala, FL / Vanguard HS / Kilgore Col.

G 6-4 180 Fr. Houston, TX / Klein HS

G 6-3 195 So.

Gulfport, MS / St. Patrick Catholic HS

F 6-6 225 Jr. Kinshasa, Congo / Diyavanga HS

G 5-8 140 Fr. Frisco, TX / Frisco Centennial

F 6-9 220 Fr. Orléans, France / Jaques Prevert

Head Coach: Billy Gillispie (5th season)

Assistant Coaches: Luke Adams , Micka Stout, Zach Settembre, Glynn Cyprien, Brandon Espinoza

UTEP Men’s Basketball

Nov. 4 (Mon) vs. Sul Ross State

Nov. 9 (Sat) at Utah Valley Orem, Uah L, 60-89

Nov. 12 (Tue) vs. UTPB Don Haskins Center W, 78-58

Nov. 20 (Wed) at UCSB Santa Barbara, Calif. W, 79-76

Nov. 25 (Mon) vs. San Jose State $

Nov. 26 (Tue) vs. Long Beach State $

Nov. 27 (Wed) vs. UNC Greenboro $

Dec. 7 (Sat) vs. Seattle U Don Haskins Center 2:00 PM

Dec. 11 (Wed) at [rv] Louisville Louisville, Ky. 5:00 PM

Dec. 16 (Mon) vs. Tarleton State

Dec. 20 (Fri) vs. Jackson State #

Dec. 21 (Sat) vs. Akron/Yale #

Jan. 2 (Thu) vs. LA Tech *

Jan. 4 (Sat) vs.

Jan. 16 (Thu) at Liberty * Lynchburg, Va. 5:00 PM

Jan. 18 (Sat) at FIU *

Jan. 23 (Thu) vs. Jax State *

Jan. 25 (Sat) vs. Kennesaw State * Don Haskins Center 7:00 PM

Jan. 30 (Thu) at WKU

The UTEP men’s basketball team has bolted out to a 5-2 start on the season, with senior guard Corey Camper Jr. playing a big role in the Miners’ success.

After a solid first year in the Sun City that had also had some ups and downs common to junior college players, that consistency that Camper Jr. has been seeking has been there for the Little Rock, Ark., native thus far in 2024-25. He leads the team in scoring at 13.6 points per game (12th CUSA), aided by reaching double figures in scoring in five straight contests and six times total this season. He’s done an outstanding job at the charity stripe, nailing 22-23 attempts (95.7 percent, first CUSA/12th NCAA) while shooting 43.6 percent (34-78) from the

jr.

floor. Camper Jr. has shared the ball well with 21 total assists (3.0 apg), but more impressive is the fact that he’s turned it over just six times for an assist-to-turnover ratio of 3.5 (second CUSA/31st NCAA).

The 6-5 guard, who has played a team-high 31.2 minutes per game (seventh CUSA), was particularly explosive at the Ball Dawgs Classic in Las Vegas, Nev from Nov. 25-27. He averaged 17.3 ppg on 46.3 shooting (19-41) while racking up 11 assists (3.7 apg) to just one turnover. Camper Jr. added eight steals (2.7 spg), helping the Orange and Blue forge a 2-1 record at the multi-team event.

Camper Jr. poured in a career-high tying 21 points vs. San Jose State (Nov. 25). He netted 12 points and four steals in a 26-point romp (70-44) of Long Beach State (Nov. 26), with his defensive efforts helping hold the Beach to the fewest points by a UTEP opponent in nearly six years. Camper Jr. then closed out the MTE by scoring 19 points to help the Miners down UNC Greensboro (Nov. 27).

He isn’t just getting it done offensively. Camper Jr., has been

a menace at the other end of the court, producing a team-high 2.9 steals per game (first CUSA/13th NCAA). His work on defense has been key to UTEP leading the nation in turnovers forced per game (20.7) while also sitting second in CUSA and 45th nationally for scoring defense at 64.4 points per game allowed.

As far as why he’s been able to be an all-around contributor night-in and night-out in 2024-25, Camper Jr. has a simple explanation.

“I just think it’s more of a mental game. I felt like coming in from JUCO that I was putting a lot of pressure on myself,” Camper Jr. said. “This senior year so far, I’m just trying to enjoy the moment and live in the moment. I definitely feel more relaxed this year. I’m just taking my senior year one day a time. I look forward to practice every day.”

Camper Jr.’s success shouldn’t come as a surprise given his play prior to UTEP where he starred for two years at Tyler Junior College. In 2022-23 he was 28th nationally in scoring (19.9 ppg), which helped him garner JUCO All-American

(continued on page 10)

Hoops Feature: corey camper

Honorable-Mention honors. Despite that, it still took some time for him to truly settle in. Having a year under his belt at the DI level has certainly helped.

“I’ve been doing it for a season, so I know what to expect,” Camper Jr. said. “I know what is coming for us and I’m just more relaxed.”

His teammates have picked up on that, looking to Camper Jr. for buckets in key stretches to help close out contests. That believe has been important for Camper Jr., who is embracing his role as a leader.

“I feel like it is great (to have their trust),” Camper Jr. said. “I feel it comes with the leadership role, talking every day in practice. Just having my guys’ back because I know they’ve got mine.”

As enjoyable as the on-court success has been, Camper Jr. cherishes the bonds he’s built with his teammates more than anything else.

“Probably just being with my teammates (has been the best part of season),” Camper Jr. said. “Making sure each and every play-

er on the team is welcomed. It’s just a brotherhood. We built that by just spending time with each other in the summertime. It takes time to build a bond and having that on our team is very important.”

When Camper Jr. wants to get away from the stresses of basketball, he goes for more basketball, but in a much different way. He’s a big fan of NBA2K, particularly the MyCareer mode. There is one big difference from the way Camper Jr. plays on NBA2K as opposed to real life.

“On 2K, I’m a big man,” Camper Jr. said. “It’s very different. I feel like it’s just easier than being a guard in 2K where you have to learn all the dribble moves and combos.”

As much as he enjoys being a big on 2K, Miner big men Kevin Kalu and Derick Hamilton don’t need to lose sleep about Camper Jr. coming for their job.

“Being a big in real life is not easy,” Camper Jr. said. “You get banged up, you’ve got to fight for rebounds, sprint down the court and more.”

If head coach Joe Golding calls on him to jump in at the four or five spot when UTEP goes small, however, Camper Jr. believes he’s ready for the challenge.

“I would be up for it,” Camper Jr. said. “I’ve got heart, so I could make it happen.”

He attributes a lot of his success, especially that mental toughness, to his family.

“We have a strong connection,” Camper Jr. said. “My family made sure I grew up a well-rounded kid. They made sure that I wasn’t sheltered, had heart and was a dawg.”

Camper Jr. also had the chance to play for and learn from his dad, who coached him from the time he first set foot on a basketball court all the way to 10th grade.

“It was fun and a great experience. I learned a lot playing for my pops,” Camper Jr. said. “I got my jump shot from him so it’s just cool. He was hard on me because he wanted the best for me. That was a good thing because now I don’t take coaching personally when they get on me (at UTEP). I know it’s out of love, and they want me to be my best.”

That feedback and support from his dad continues to this day.

“He calls me after every game and make sure I know what I should have done, what I did wrong,” Camper Jr. said. “He tells me that he’s going to my worst critique and my best fan.”

His dad should know what to look for, given that he played the game in a very similar way.

“He was basically the same player as me, but he was a little shorter. He could do pretty much everything” Camper Jr. said. “He didn’t have the same bounce as me though.”

Fans who haven’t seen Camper Jr. and the Miners play yet this year have a great opportunity over the next month. Eight of UTEP’s next nine contests will be at home, including the annual WestStar Don Haskins Sun Bowl Invitational. The Miners will also have their first three league games at home, something that hasn’t happened since the 1991-92 season when they were members of the WAC.

Joe Golding, who led Abilene Christian to the NCAA Tournament in two of his final three seasons with the program and an upset win over third-seed Texas in the 2021 “Big Dance” was appointed the 20th head coach in UTEP men’s basketball history on April 13, 2021.

He will carry a career record of 210-192 (13 years) into the 2024-25 season, including a mark of 52-48 (three years) with UTEP. He has enjoyed two winning seasons in three years at the helm of the Miners, including guiding UTEP to 18 victories and run-

utep head coach

Joe GOLDING Abilene Christian ‘99

Fourth Season at UTEP | 26th Season as a Coach

ner-up honors at the 2024 CUSA Championships. It marked the Orange and Blue’s first appearance in the championship contest of the league tournament since 2011. The run to the finals was unprecedented for the program for multiple reasons. UTEP’s No. 5 seed was the lowest in the 13 appearances that it has now made in a conference tournament championship game. The Miners took out the No. 1 seed, Sam Houston, 6563, in the semifinals, their first win against a top seed at the league tournament since the 1993 WAC Championships. Furthermore,

they became the first squad in school history to come back from double-digit deficits to win consecutive contests at the league tournament.

Some other notables for 2023-24 included helping UTEP lead the country in both steals per game (11.4) and turnovers forced per game (18.7). The Miners shattered the prior standard (280, 2002-023 and 2022-23) with their 389 total thefts, which also rates second all time in CUSA History. That trailed only the 395 by UAB in 2002-03. UTEP also broke the program mark for turnovers

Golding File

Personal

Hometown: Wichita Falls, Texas

Education

College: Abilene Christian

Playing Experience

1994-98: Abilene Christian

Coaching Experience

2021-Present: UTEP

Head Coach

2011-21: Abilene Christian

Head Coach

2008-11: Arkansas-Little Rock

Assistant Coach

2005-08: Abilene Christian

Assistant Coach

2004-05: Collin County CC

Assistant Coach

2002-04: Sachse HS

Head Coach

2001-02: Seminole JC

Assistant Coach

1999-01: South Garland HS

Assistant Coach

forced in a season with 636. The Miners showed grit, winning a game at the league tournament by two points or less for the first time since 1992 after they ousted top seed Sam Houston.

The Orange and Blue posted the biggest margin of victory (7449, 25 points) against I-10 rival NM State in 20 years. UTEP claimed the 2023 WestStar Don Haskins Sun Bowl Invitational for the first time since 2019 (no event in 2020 due to Covid-19), in addition to knocking off a power conference program (Cal, 75-72, Nov. 20) at a neutral site for the initial occasion since 2014.

Senior guard Tae Hardy earned second-team All-District and All-CUSA Honors. The Miners accounted for three of the five players on the CUSA All-Freshman Team, including Freshman of the Year David Terrell Jr. Otis Frazier III was All-CUSA Honorable-Mention and voted to the CUSA All-Defensive Team, the first selection to the squad for UTEP since 2015

In 2022-23 he had to overhaul the roster after the Miners returned just one starter and three letterwinners total from a 20-win team a year prior. UTEP managed a 14-18 record, including a 67-64 victory against NM State on Nov.

12 for its first win against the Aggies in three years. That was the start of a five-game winning streak, which was aided by backto-back OT triumphs. UTEP’s five straight victories in November were the longest in the month in four years, which was aided by a mark of 3-0 in the inaugural Jim Forbes Classic Presented by Speaking Rock.

The Miners came within a point of winning the WestStar Don Haskins Sun Bowl Invitational, falling 47-46 to eventual NCAA Tournament participant Kent State on Dec. 22. UTEP experienced a tough 1-4 stretch early in league play, with those four setbacks by a combined 14 points. The Miners remained resilient on the way to forging seven league triumphs, capped by a 77-65 “Senior Day” triumph against Middle Tennessee on March 4.

Shamar Givance was named to the five-member Conference USA men’s basketball All-Academic team, becoming the first Miner to secure a spot since Dominic Artis (second team) in 2015-16. Givance also garnered 2022-23 College Sports Communicators’ Academic All-District accolades. Golding experienced immediate success in his first year on

the sidelines with the Orange and Blue, directing the Miners to their first 20-win season (20-14) since going 22-11 in 2014-15. UTEP earned a spot in The Basketball Classic for its first postseason appearance since 2015. The Miners defeated Western Illinois, 80-54, on March 19 for their first postseason win since 2009.

UTEP was 11-7 in league play, securing the first winning record in conference action since forging a mark of 12-6 in 2016-17. That was aided by winning 10 of 14 down the stretch, including halting back-to-back C-USA West Division Champion North Texas’ 15-game winning streak, 70-68, on “Senior Day” on March 5. The Miners then went on to defeat Old Dominion, 74-64, on March 9 for their first victory at the C-USA Championships in five years.

Golding’s charges achieved notable success on the road, compiling their most road wins (seven)

since going 8-2 in 2013-14. UTEP (5-4) had its first winning record on the road in league play since 2016-17, and the five league road wins surpassed its total (four) of such games from the prior three seasons combined.

The Miners registered their first road win at LA Tech since 2004, at New Mexico since 2009, at ODU since 2015 and at UTSA since 2015. They also secured the first road sweep of the LA Tech and Southern Miss trip in six years.

UTEP enjoyed a six-game winning streak in conference play (Jan. 15 to Feb. 5), which was the longest since also posting six straight C-USA victories in 2016.

With the Miners finishing at 20-14, Golding joined Don Haskins (18-6, 1961-62), Doc Sadler (27-8, 2004-05) and Tim Floyd (25-10, 2010-11) as the only coaches in program history to have a winning season in their first year on

the sidelines. Overall, the prior 19 head coaches combined to forge an average record of 9-13 in their first year with UTEP.

Individually, Souley Boum (second team) and Jamal Bieniemy (third team) both earned All-Conference USA accolades. Boum was also a NABC All-District honoree.

Golding performed a remarkable turnaround at ACU after shepherding the Wildcats’ transition from Division II to Division I. He guided the Wildcats to a record of 158-144 in 10 seasons at the helm of the program (20112021), including a 71-23 mark over the last three years. ACU chalked up three consecutive 20-win seasons, finishing with a 27-7 mark in 2018-19, the most wins in program history. ACU finished 20-11 overall and 15-5 in league play during the 2019-20 season before the postseason was canceled due to the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic. It marked just the sec-

ond time in program history that the team put together back-toback 20-win seasons including the postseason; the first came during coach Golding’s playing days.

Golding directed ACU to a 24-5 overall record and a 13-2 Southland Conference mark during the 2020-21 campaign. The Wildcats claimed the Southland Conference tournament title, and the first NCAA Tournament win in program history when #14 seed

ACU shocked the heavily favored Longhorns, 53-52, in the first round on March 20. Golding was named the NABC District 22 coCoach of the Year, while Kolton Kohl was selected to the All-District 22 first team. Kohl was also named to the 2020-21 All-Southland Conference first team, while Joe Pleasant earned second team All-League honors and Coryon Mason garnered third team recognition. Damien Daniels, Reg-

gie Miller and Mason were also tabbed to the league All-Defensive team.

Golding, who played point guard at ACU from 1994-98, took over as the head coach at his alma mater in 2011. In his first season, the Wildcats were 12-16 overall and 4-14 in the Lone Star Conference. ACU began competing at the Division I level during the 201314 season. Four years later, they reached the postseason (College Insider Tournament) and, the year after that, they were in the Big Dance.

Golding’s teams have also excelled in the classroom with a perfect 1,000 Academic Progress Rate (APR) in each of the last four years, and a 3.2 grade point average this season. Every one of his players who exhausted their eligibility graduated from ACU.

Golding’s first coaching job was as a varsity assistant at South Garland High School, where he helped the team to back-to-back Class 5A playoff appearances. He spent the 2001-02 season as an assistant coach at Seminole Junior College before taking the head coaching job at Sachse High School. During the program’s first years at the 5A level, Golding led the team to a 15-14 record in 200203 and an 18-10 mark in 2003-04. Golding spent the 2004-05 season as an assistant coach at Collin County Community College, and the next three seasons (2005-08) as the top assistant to head coach Jason Copeland at ACU before joining head coach Steve Shields’ staff at Arkansas Little Rock. His three years at UALR (2008-11) produced a Sun Belt Conference title and an appearance in the NCAA Tournament.

Golding was a four-year letterwinner at ACU from 1994-98, playing in all 108 games, and was given the Teague Point Guard Award as a senior. He shot 46 percent from the floor over his four-year career, and averaged 4.2 assists per game. He graduated from ACU with a bachelor’s degree in exercise and sport science in May of 1999.

Golding and his wife, Amanda, have two sons, Cason and Chase.

utep assistant coaches

mike roberts earl boykins

Roberts File

Personal

Hometown: Terre Haute, Ind.

Education College: Indiana ‘05

Playing Experience

2000-05: Indiana

Coaching Experience

2024-Present: UTEP

Assistant Coach

2021-23: Cincinnati

Assistant Coach

2012-19: UNC Greensboro

Associate Head Coach

2008-12: Rice

Assistant Coach

2007-08: Cal

Assistant Coach

2006-07: Cal

Video Coordinator

2005-06: Texas Tech

Graduate Assistant

Personal

Boykins File

Hometown: Cleveland, Ohio

Education College: Eastern Michigan ‘98

Playing Experience

2011-12: Houston Rockets

2010-11: Milwaukee Bucks

2009-10: Washington Wizards

2008-09: Virtus Bologna (Italy)

2007-08: Charlotte Bobcats

2006-07: Denver Nuggets/Milwaukee Bucks

2003-07: Denver Nuggets

2002-03 Golden State Warriors

2000-02: Los Angeles Clippers

1999-00: Orlando Magic/Cleveland Cavaliers

1998-99: NJ Nets/Cleveland Cavaliers

1994-98: Eastern Michigan

Coaching Experience

2021-Present: UTEP Assistant Coach

2019-21: Arkansas Dir. of Student-Athlete Development

2019: Orlando Magic (Summer League) Director of Player Personnel

2013-19: Douglas County HS (Colo.) Head Coach

Spriggs File

Personal

Hometown: Philadelphia, Penn.

Education College: Slippery Rock University ‘10

Playing Experience

2008-10: Sippery Rock University

Coaching Experience

2022-Present: UTEP Assistant Coach

2021-22: UTEP Chief of Staff

2020-21: Abilene Christian Special Assistant to the Head Coach

2013-19: Douglas County HS (Colo.) Head Coach

Slippery Rock University ‘10

Third Season at UTEP

Assistant

Abilene Christian University ‘22

Third Season at UTEP | First as a Coach

Central College ‘14

Fourth Season at UTEP

Asst. Dir. of Speed, Strength & Conditioning

East Stroudsburg Univ. of Pennsylvania ‘16 First Season at UTEP

OREGON ‘13

First Season at UTEP

Averett ‘09 Sixth Season at UTEP

This Fall Season

UTEP Men’s Basketball

’24 -25 Broadcast Schedule radio

the university of texas at el paso

The University of Texas at El Paso is America’s leading Hispanic-serving university. Located at the westernmost tip of Texas, where three states and two countries converge along the Rio Grande, 84% of our 24,000 students are Hispanic, and more than half are the first in their families to go to college. UTEP offers 170 bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs at the only open-access, top-tier research university in America.

this is utep

School Name

The State School of Mines and Metallurgy opened in September 1914 because city leaders shared a vision for higher education. In 1920, it became known as Texas College of Mines (TCM). To better reflect its role as an expanding regional college campus, the school changed its name in 1949 to Texas Western College. In 1967, it became The University of Texas at El Paso.

School Colors

UTEP’s original colors were burnt orange and white, adopted from The University of Texas, and shared with UT San Antonio. In 1980, when President Haskell Monroe came to campus, he found

that many individuals desired to give UTEP an identity of its own by changing the school’s colors. Early on Dr. Monroe was presented with a proposal to change the colors to orange and blue. Unfortunately, UT San Antonio changed their colors to orange and blue just days before UTEP’s proposal was presented. This minor issue was quickly resolved by altering the shades of orange and blue. The chosen orange was more “brownish” than “burnt” and was thought to resemble the mountains at the pass. The blue was slightly darker than the blue being used by the old NFL team, the Houston Oilers; the color was identified as “El Paso Bright Blue Sky.” Officially, the academic colors of all the institutions in the UT System were orange and

white, but for athletic purposes, additional or substitute colors could be used with the Board’s approval. Monroe presented his argument and the color selection to the Board of Regents and they voted in UTEP’s favor.

Mascot Paydirt Pete

In the spring of 1919, the registrar for the School of Mines, Ruth Monro Augur, designed the institution’s first official seal. The seal featured a head of a spade with a mining burro superimposed on it. This burro, noted the Prospector student newspaper at the time, was to be the school’s first mascot.

The University of Texas at El Paso’s first live mascot was a burro. But Paydirt Pete — UTEP’s pickaxe-wielding mascot with the smooth mustache and square chin — has been an indelible symbol of the University’s athletic prowess and Miner spirit for more than 40 years.

Since 1974 when the moniker “Paydirt Pete” was adopted, fans have watched the mighty mascot undergo six incarnations.

Paydirt Pete started as a Disney-like character in 1980. He developed muscles and a smoking habit in 1983, but ditched the cigar three years later. Pete exchanged his mining helmet for a cowboy hat and a handlebar mustache in 1999, then became a scraggly miner the following year. In 2005, he was finally transformed into the “Magnum, P.I.” look-alike that Miner fans love today.

Jim Senter was named UTEP’s Director of Athletics on Nov. 22, 2017 and currently serves as Vice President and Director of Athletics.

To say that Senter has been busy since arriving in the Sun City would be quite the understatement. He has hired head coaches for football (Scotty Walden), men’s basketball (Joe Golding), men’s golf (Aaron Puetz), women’s golf (Steve Sims), rifle (Andrea Palafox), soccer (Gibbs Keeton), softball (T.J. Hubbard) and volleyball (Ben Wallis). With a firm belief that “Every Person Makes a Difference,” Senter has engaged Miner supporters far and wide. He ushered in sweeping changes to the iconic Sun Bowl Stadium, with the addition of indoor and outdoor club seating, loge boxes, suites, the GECU Terrace, Hunt Family Sky Lounge and Paul and Alejandra Foster Tower. He also orchestrated the addition of UTEP’s 17th Division I sport, beach volleyball, which began competing in the spring of 2023.

On the field, highlights from the Senter era have included the football team earning its first bowl appearance in seven years, volleyball making the only postseason tournament appearances in school history (including finishing runner-up at the 2023 NIVC), women’s cross country capturing its first conference championship, and women’s track and field winning the Conference USA Indoor title.

The Miners have excelled academically as well. In 2024, UTEP set school records with

Vice President/Director Of Athletics Jim SENTER

219 student-athletes making the Conference USA Commissioner’s Academic Honor Roll (minimum 3.0 GPA), and 77 receiving CUSA Commissioner’s Academic Medals (minimum 3.75 GPA). UTEP’s May 2024 graduating class of 46 student-athletes also set a new school standard.

Senter served as Director of Intercollegiate Athletics at The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina, from 201417. During that time he hired head coaches in football, men’s basketball, baseball, soccer and volleyball.

Senter’s fundraising efforts resulted in significant improvements being made to the football, basketball and baseball facilities. He grew scholarship endowment by nearly $6 million in cash and pledges over three years. His total fundraising numbers set school records.

Senter grew football attendance by more than 3,000 spectators per game, and the Bulldogs led the Southern

Conference in attendance. They posted a 10-win season in 2016 and a nine-victory campaign in 2015.

Academically, 174 Bulldog student-athletes garnered placement on the Southern Conference Honor Roll in 2017. The year prior, The Citadel produced two CoSIDA (College Sports Information Directors of America) Academic All-Americans. Senter went to The Citadel after spending seven years (200613) at the University of Colorado, where he worked his way up to Senior Associate Athletic Director for External Operations. Senter was the sport supervisor for the Colorado football, skiing, men’s and women’s golf programs. He also had supervision over the Chief Marketing Officer and numerous other areas including facilities, sports medicine, sports performance, game and event management and equipment services. He began his tenure at Colorado as Associate AD for

Development. In that role, his responsibilities included all fundraising efforts, including the annual fund (student-athlete scholarships), major gifts and coordinating all donation-related activities and staff. He was later elevated to Associate Athletic Director.

Before Colorado, Senter served as Associate Athletic Director for Development/Senior Associate AD for External Sales at San Diego State for 18 months. Aligned closely with the University foundation, he was responsible for overseeing the athletic department’s development efforts, including major gifts. He spent 2003-05 as Director of Athletics at Idaho State University, a 16-sport Division I-AA program. He engineered a 19 percent increase in football attendance and a $600,000 leap

in advertising, marketing and corporate sales.

Senter began his college athletic career at the University of Idaho. After working as assistant head football coach and recruiting coordinator, he branched out into the administrative side. He served as Assistant and Associate Athletic Director of Development from 1998-2003 in a chief fundraising capacity. He was responsible for the university’s Capital Campaign for Athletics, helping raise money for a $13 million athletic facility expansion. He also ran the annual fund for Vandal athletics, overseeing the work of 48 national directors and planning the fiscal budget.

During his coaching days, Senter was in charge of the defensive line, linebackers and secondary. He was a part of Idaho’s run to a 52-21 record

over seven seasons and six NCAA playoff appearances.

Senter began his coaching career at Coffeyville Community College in Kansas, where he was a student assistant in 1981 and 1982. He later held that role at his alma mater, the University of Tulsa, from 1983-85 before moving on to Idaho.

Senter earned his bachelor’s degree in physical education from Tulsa in 1985, and added a master’s degree in recreation from Idaho in 1992 while serving on the football coaching staff. He was born in Doylestown, Pa., and graduated from Jay (Okla.) High School where he was a football letter winner. He is married to the former Susan Beck and the couple has four children -- Shawna, Derick, Matthew and Samantha.

Tuesday, October 29 (5-6 p.m.) | Border City Ale House

Wednesday, November 13 | DeadBeach Brewery

Wednesday, December 4 | Border City Ale House

Wednesday, December 18 | DeadBeach Brewery

Thursday, December 26 | Border City Ale House

Wednesday, January 8 | DeadBeach Brewery

Monday, January 13 | Border City Ale House

Tuesday, January 21 | DeadBeach Brewery

Monday, January 27 | Border City Ale House

Thursday, February 6 | DeadBeach Brewery

Monday, February 10 | Border City Ale House

Tuesday, February 18 | DeadBeach Brewery

Monday, February 24 | Border City Ale House

Tuesday, March 4 | DeadBeach Brewery

All shows will air from 6 – 7 p.m. unless indicated otherwise and can be heard on 600 ESPN El Paso and on the UTEP Miners app

1506 N. Lee Trevino
Durazno Ave.

Dr. Heather Wilson became the 11th President of The University of Texas at El Paso in 2019 after serving as Secretary of the United States Air Force. She is the former president of the South Dakota School of Mines & Technology, and she represented New Mexico in the United States Congress for 10 years.

Active in community and national affairs, she is a member of

University President Dr. Heather WILSON

the National Science Board, which oversees the National Science Foundation, and serves as a board member of the Texas Space Commission. She was the inaugural Chair of the Alliance of Hispanic Serving Research Universities, and is a member of the board of directors of Lockheed Martin Corporation.

Dr. Wilson is the granddaughter of immigrants and was the first person in her family to go to college. She graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy in the third class to admit women and earned her master’s and doctoral degrees from Oxford University in England as a Rhodes Scholar.

UTEP is located on the U.S.Mexico border – in the fifth largest

manufacturing region in North America – and serves over 24,000 students with 170 bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs in nine colleges and schools. In the top 5% of public universities in the United States for research and designated a community-engaged university by the Carnegie Foundation, UTEP is America’s leading Hispanic-serving university. It is the fourth largest research university in Texas and serves a student body that is 84% Hispanic.

President Wilson is an instrument rated private pilot. She and her husband, Jay Hone, have two adult children and two granddaughters.

‘24 -25 UTEP CHEER

Zachery arellano Bella Arocha
Sheyna arrieta
Hazel Carbajal
Daena diaz
Celeste duarte Valentina garnica- gonzalez
Benjamin gomez
Genevieve gomez
Julia gomez
Alaina guerra Dyanalise hernandez
Jadeyn hernandez
Nicholas le vey
Ileana Leonard
Ruben martinez Luke mena
Demi nash
Sophia neva
Dereck nevarez
Kyle Ortega
Mia quinonez
Michelle ramos Iviana Reyes
Jordan zubia
Bianca marquez Director of Spirit Operations & Head Cheer Coach
Caesar cubillos Assistant Coach & Mascot Advisor
Amarie duarte
Tegan gonzales
Idaly Martinez
Zander nunn
Madeline telles

ProudSponsorOf UTEPBasketball

Firehouse Subs, our local team makes our mouthwatering, hot, hearty subs just the way you like them. With Firehouse Subs Rapid Rescue To Go, you can order online or our app, and we'll have your subs boxed, bagged and ready at our designated pick area. Or use your favorite delivery app to get Firehouse Subs delivered right to your door. And remember, a portion of every purchase helps support local first responders in our community.

At Firehouse Subs, our local team makes our mouthwatering, hot, hearty subs just the way you like them. With Firehouse Subs Rapid Rescue To Go, you can order online or on our app, and we'll have your subs boxed, bagged and ready at our designated pick up area. Or use your favorite delivery app to get Firehouse Subs delivered right to your door. And remember, a portion of every purchase helps support local first responders in our community.

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‘24 -25 UTEP dance

Evelyn amaya
Lauren anaya
Mia Arras
Caitlyn bejarano
Venney ceballos
Abby chavez
Itzel corral cinco Daisy dominguez
Monique duran
Kassandra escandon
Diana Estrada Amy gonzales
Alani hatten
Jenna Jauregui
Carolyn limones
Mia lopez
Olivia lozano
Lluvia marin renata
Jessica martinez Jade mata
Jazmine natera
Natalya truelove
Evelyn Nevarez
Ciria perez
Lisa rivera
Natalia sanez Alyssa torres
Soumalla younes
Leslie Lopez Spirit Operations
Nadia younes

If you’ve been a part of the CUSA family for years, we’re proud to have you here. If you’re new to us, welcome. No matter when you got here, know this: You’re part of more than a college athletics conference.

Every school, every town, every alumni and fan is an essential part of who CUSA is today, and equally important in taking us to the next level. With unstoppable energy, there are no limits on us.

So hop on, because we’re heading up.

FIU - JACKSONVILLE STATE - KENNESAW STATE - LIBERTY - LA TECH - MIDDLE TENNESSEE - NEW MEXICO STATE - SAM HOUSTON - UTEP - WKU

UTEP women’s Basketball

’ 24 - 25 SCHEDULE

Nov. 4 (Mon) vs. Tarleton State Don Haskins Center W, 52-49

Nov. 10 (Sun) vs. Morehead State Don Haskins Center W, 68-41

Nov. 16 (Sat) vs. UTSA Don Haskins Center L, 73-78

Nov. 23 (Sat) vs. New Mexico Highlands

Nov. 26 (Tue) at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi

Dec. 5 (Thu) vs. BYU

Dec. 8 (Sun) at Portland Portland, Ore. 3:00 PM

Dec. 14 (Sat) at Utah Tech St. George, Utah 1:00 PM

Dec. 16 (Mon) at Colorado State Fort Collins, Co. 6:30 PM

Dec. 19 (Thu) vs. Arkansas-Pine Bluff

Dec. 30 (Mon) vs.

4

Jan. 11 (Sat) at NM State * Las Cruces,

Jan. 25 (Sat) at Kennesaw State * Kennesaw, Ga. 12:00 PM

Jan. 30 (Thu) vs. WKU * Don Haskins Center 7:00 PM

Feb. 1 (Sat) vs. Middle Tennessee * Don Haskins Center 1:00 PM

Feb. 8 (Sat) vs. NM State * Don Haskins Center 2:00 PM

Feb. 13 (Thu) at FIU * Miami, Fla. 9:00 AM

Feb. 15 (Sat) at Liberty * Lynchburg, Va. 12:00 PM

Feb. 20 (Thu) vs. Kennesaw State * Don Haskins Center 7:00 PM

Feb. 22 (Sat) vs. Jax State * Don Haskins Center 1:00 PM

Feb. 27 (Thu) at WKU * Bowling Green, Ky. 5:30 PM

Mar. 1 (Sat) at Middle Tennessee * Murfreesboro, Tenn. 12:00 PM

Mar. 6 (Thu) vs. Sam Houston * Don Haskins Center 7:00 PM

Mar. 8 (Sat) vs. LA Tech * Don Haskins Center 2:00 PM

Mar.

GO MINERS!

DEW, MTN DEW, the MTN DEW Logo, the Mtn Dew Landscape, MTN DEW CODE RED, MTN DEW ZERO, the MTN DEW ZERO Logo, the Mtn Dew Zero Landscape and DO THE DEW are registered trademarks of PepsiCo, Inc.

Fairfield Inn & Suites El Paso West

Indoor Heated Pool with Hot Tub Breakfast Included

Complimentary Coffee in Lobby

Complimentary Wi-Fi

Miners Trip to Mexico

The Miners faced Universidad Autónoma de Chihuahua (UACH) in an exhibition contest on Saturday, Oct. 19 at Gimnasio Universitario Manuel Bernardo Aguirre.

Environmental The Collection Tips Services Department

• Keep bins 3 feet apart and 5 feet from all other objects

• Don’t bag recyclables, items should be loose in blue bins

• Flatten cardboard boxes before placing in blue bin

• Plastic bags, glass, and E-waste do NOT belong in blue bins. Take them to a Citizen Collection Station

• Do not place styrofoam in the blue bins

• When in doubt, throw it out (in the gray bin)

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