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vs. Sam Houston
Thursday, Jan. 2 | 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 4 | 7 p.m.
Table of Contents
Contributors
Mark Brunner
Christopher Muñoz
Advertising Ricardo Romero
Photography
Mark Lambie, Brian Kanof, Ruben R. Ramirez, Michael P. Reese, Jorge Salgado,
Communications, 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
LA Tech Bulldogs
0 Devin Ree
1 Amaree Abram
2 Will Jeffress
3
AJ Bates
4 Sean Newman Jr.
5 Al Green
7 Landren Blocker
10 Ben Ponder
11 Kaden Cooper
13 Daniel Batcho
14 Will Allen
20 Jordan Crawford
23 Lachlan Thompson
33 Sean Elkinton
G 6-8 190 Jr. Jackson, Miss. (Louisville)
G 6-4 195 Jr.
Port Arthur, Texas (Georgia Tech)
F 6-7 210 5th Erie, Pa. (Pittsburgh)
G 6-3 200 Fr. Houston, Texas (Seven Lakes HS)
G 6-1 165 R-Jr.
Los Angeles, Calif. (Fullerton College)
G 6-3 185 Jr. Sacramento, Calif. (San Diego City College)
G 6-5 210 Fr.
G 6-3 200 Sr.
Little Rock, Ark. (Little Rock Christian)
Shreveport, La. (Calvary Baptist)
G 6-5 195 So. Ada, Okla. (Oklahoma)
F 6-11 245 R-Sr. Paris, France (Texas Tech)
F 6-7 225 R-Jr.
New Orleans, La. (Bonnabel HS)
G 6-3 185 Jr. Ruston, La. (Simsboro HS)
G 6-4 175 So.
Choudrant, La. (Choudrant HS)
F 6-8 235 Jr. Crosby, Texas (St. Edward’s)
Head Coach: Talvin Hester (3rd season)
Assistant Coaches: Winston Hines, Darshawn McClellan, Tim McGraw, Tyson Batiste, Kavin Gilder-Tilbury
Sam Houston Bearkats
0 Brennen Burns
1 CJ Beaumont
2 Dorian Finister
3 Lamar Wilkerson
5 Marcus Boykin
6 Jaxson Ford
10 Damon Nicholas Jr.
11 Wade Neyland
12 Erik Taylor
22 Jackson Rogers
23 Cheikh Ndiaye
G 5-10 180 R-Sr.
G 6-8 210 So.
G 6-5 215 Jr.
Bethany, Okla./Southeastern Oklahoma
West Palm Beach, Fla./Palm Beach Prep
New Orleans, La./Kansas State
G 6-4 205 Sr. Ashdown, Ark./Three Rivers CC
G 6-1 190 Sr. Trinity Christian School/Barton College
F 6-7 215 Fr. Prosper, Texas/Link Academy
G 6-4 190 Sr. Duncanville, Texas/Duncanville HS
G 6-2 200 Fr. Centerville, Texas/Centerville HS
G 6-1 180 Fr. Orlando, Fla./Edgewater HS
G 6-3 205 Fr. Murphy, Texas/Wylie HS
F 6-10 215 Fr. Louga, Senegal/ Prestige Academy
25 Cameron Huefner F 6-7 210 Sr. Adelaide, Australia/Pittsburg State
34 Kalifa Sakho
F 6-11 230 Sr. Rouen, France/Utah State
40 Kian Scroggins F 6-7 235 Sr.
57 Josiah Hammons
Raymore, Mo./Raymore-Peculiar HS
G 6-2 185 R-Sr. Chicago, Ill./Curie HS/Incarnate Word
Head Coach: Chris Mudge (2nd season)
Assistant Coaches: Justin Bailey, Brendan Foley, Anthony Fobb, Jake White, Tyler Guidry
UTEP Men’s Basketball
Nov. 4 (Mon) vs. Sul Ross State
Haskins Center W, 102-55
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 $ Las Vegas, Nev. L, 65-71
Nov. 26 (Tue) vs. Long Beach State $
Nov. 27 (Wed) vs. UNC Greenboro $ Las Vegas, Nev. W, 64-58
Dec. 7 (Sat) vs. Seattle U Don Haskins Center W, 88-72
Dec. 11 (Wed) at Louisville Louisville, Ky. L, 74-77
Dec. 16 (Mon) vs. Tarleton State Don Haskins Center W, 67-62
Dec. 20 (Fri) vs. Jackson State #
Dec. 21 (Sat) vs. Yale #
Dec.
(Sat)
Jan. 2 (Thu) vs. LA Tech * Don Haskins Center 7:00 PM
Jan. 4 (Sat) vs.
Jan. 18 (Sat) at FIU *
Jan. 30 (Thu)
By Mark Brunner Strategic Communications
There was a lot of anticipation surrounding JUCO All-American Ahamad Bynum when he signed with UTEP, but even the most ardent of Miner fans couldn’t have anticipated the impact he’d make with the team thus far in the season.
Bynum, who head coach Joe Golding pursued heavily, has been a godsend with his offensive abilities, particularly his outside shooting. Through the end of nonconference play, the junior was knocking down a nation-leading 60.8 percent (31-51) from 3-point range while averaging 11.8 points per game in only 19.9 minutes per contest.
He has nailed multiple 3-pointers in nine of 12 appearances (did not play one contest)
and opposing coaches have been at a loss with how to handle him thus far. Some have tried to run him off the line, but Bynum has burned them by filling up 70.0 percent (14-20) at the charity stripe as he gets hacked on the way to the rim.
The Chicago native’s play has been a big factor in UTEP’s strong start. The Miners are 10-3, equaling their best start in 14 years. Bynum was a difference maker in helping UTEP defend its title at the WestStar Don Haskins Sun Bowl Invitational, something that hadn’t happened since a three-year run (2012-14) under then-head coach Tim Floyd.
Bynum, who had consecutive double-digit scoring efforts while shooting a combined 5-8 from distance in the event, was named the Don Haskins award winner for his efforts.
There was a lot of interest across the board when Bynum was coming out of the JUCO ranks, but the Miners had a step up because of Golding.
“I felt like it was the best opportunity for me because Coach Golding is a great coach,” Bynum
said. “He’s a great energy coach. They did well recruiting me when I was in JUCO, coming out to see me a lot and just getting that relationship.”
He started his collegiate journey with BIG EAST member DePaul, but he didn’t get many opportunities. Bynum appeared in 11 games in the 2022-23 campaign before transferring out to Trinity Valley Community College. He paced the squad in scoring (18.3 ppg) while leading it to the second straight Region XIV championship. TVCC finished at 27-8 and qualified for the NJCAA Tournament, setting the stage for him to get back to the DI level. He didn’t take that for granted.
“It’s great (to get back to DI),” Bynum said. “I worked hard when I went to JUCO. It really humbled me. I really worked on my work ethic when I went there. I’m just blessed to be in this position right now.”
He burst onto the scene with the Miners, connecting on 6-8 from distance in the season-opening victory. He hasn’t looked back, as he’s led the nation in shooting for several weeks while helping
(continued on page 10)
Hoops Feature: Ahamad Bynum
the Orange and Blue crack the top 25 for the College Insiders’ Mid-Major poll.
Bynum feels comfortable to pull from any distance at any time, and it’s because of his approach behind the scenes. His training methods also offer insight into why when he lets loose what looks to be a really difficult shot, more often than not, it’s nothing but net.
“No, no, there’s nothing I’m afraid of. I take a lot of hard shots,” Bynum said. “The basic shots are easier for me, and a tougher shot is just a regular shot. I work on it, a lot. I probably take like 1,000+ shots (a day). I put a lot of work in the gym, and I get a lot of shots up (daily). I just trust my work ethic.”
One thing that has been a change and adjustment for Bynum has been getting after things on defense, an area where Golding has extremely high standards.
“I’ve really just been trying to get better on the defensive side,” Bynum said. “I need to be an energy giver.”
Some players in his position might be frustrated with not starting, but Bynum has embraced his role of coming off the bench and providing a spark.
“Doing whatever I can to help the team win (is most important),” Bynum said. “(It’s big) just having my teammates trust me throughout the course of the season.”
Even with all the success that he’s been experiencing, Bynum has remained humble.
“(I know) I’m just being blessed, and I’m taking advantage of the opportunity I have,” Bynum said. “I’m trusting my work ethic. I never knew I was going to be here, but I’m blessed for sure.”
Bynum and the Miners are embarking on an 18-game marathon of the Conference USA
slate, but he’s got a short-term approach day-in, day-out.
“(I’m focused on) just getting better every day, helping my teammates every day and just keep working every day,” Bynum said. “Keep trusting the process.”
He’s made a name for himself as a shooter, but Bynum is aiming to get better defensively as well.
“I’ve been a good shooter my whole life,” Bynum said. “I feel like I’m making little strides (on defense). Coach Golding has been on me about it a lot, so I’ve put in a lot of effort.”
Fans who haven’t seen Bynum or the Miners play yet have nine chances left at the Don Haskins Center, starting with the threegame homestand to christen league play. That’s something that hasn’t happened since the 199192 campaign. For tickets, please visit www.UTEPMiners.com/tickets or call (915) 747-UTEP.
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.
Firehouse Subs El Paso
Firehouse Subs El Paso
‘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
Haskins Center W, 52-49
Nov. 10 (Sun) vs. Morehead State Don Haskins Center W, 68-41
Nov. 16 (Sat) vs. UTSA
Nov. 23 (Sat) vs. New Mexico Highlands
Nov. 26 (Tue) at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi
Dec. 5 (Thu) vs. BYU
Haskins Center L, 73-78
Dec. 8 (Sun) at Portland Portland, Ore. L, 67-83
Dec. 14 (Sat) at Utah Tech St. George, Utah W, 71-57
Dec. 16 (Mon) at Colorado State Fort Collins, Co. L, 52-70
Dec. 19 (Thu) vs. Arkansas-Pine Bluff
Dec.
Jan. 4 (Sat) at Sam Houston * Huntsville, Texas 1:00 PM
Jan. 11 (Sat) at
Jan. 23 (Thu) at Jax State *
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)
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)
FUEL YOUR UTEP SPIRIT WITH
