A Fan’s Guide to UTEP Football Game Day
Last Updated on August 27, 2018 at 12:00 AM
Originally published August 27, 2018
By UC Staff
UTEP Communications
Throngs of sports fans will descend on The University of Texas at El Paso campus Saturday, Sept. 1, as the Miner football team kicks off its 2018 season against the Northern Arizona University Lumberjacks. What those fans will find is a fresh game-day experience.
On the field, the Miners will enter Sun Bowl Stadium clad in new uniforms and led by new head coach Dana Dimel, who previously served as offensive coordinator at Kansas State University.
Dimel was hired by Jim Senter, UTEP’s new athletic director, who entered the job in November and in a short time has instilled a newfound optimism through an open approach with fans and interaction on social media.
Off the field, Miner fans will enjoy the new look and amenities along the stadium’s west concourse. The updates are the first phase of a plan to revitalize the 55-year-old Sun Bowl. Changes include enhanced lighting and decorative overhead and side panels depicting great Miner and Sun Bowl moments. On the east side of the stadium, new family and ADA accessible bathrooms have been added. Learn more about the new vision for Sun Bowl Stadium here.
Fan Fest
Fans can get in the game day mood at the Albertsons Fan Fest, located next to Memorial Gym at the southeast corner of Glory Road and Randolph Drive. It will be open from 2 to 5 p.m. and feature a craft beer festival with free 4-ounce samples while supplies last. Fans also can purchase a 12-ounce cup for $8.
Participating food trucks include Ay Cocula, Heavy D, Off the Grill, Panini Bus, Sabor Mexicano, Thai Grub and Untamed Chef. The trucks will sell food and compete for Best Tailgate Food-Chicken. The first 50 Miner Savings Rewards members on site can sample the food and vote in the competition. Fans can sign up for the Miner Savings Rewards program at utepathletics.com/minersavingsmag.
The Family Fun Zone will feature numerous activities such as a jumping balloon, 60-foot obstacle, two-lane slide, sports double jumper, human foosball, inflatable zipline and a rock climbing mountain. Civil service branches will provide static displays.
DJ Jason Craig will play music.
In addition, the first 2,500 fans through the stadium gates will receive a free UTEP football schedule cup. FirstLight Federal Credit Union first down cards and Chevy Bam Bam sticks also will be available to fans. The halftime show will feature performances by the top youth cheer and dance teams in El Paso on “Spirit Night.”
UTEP football season tickets, starting at $66, are available by calling 915-747-6150.
Tailgating
Fans interested in pre-game campus revelry can start at 8 a.m. on the outer campus parking lots. Inner campus lots open at 2 p.m. Different times apply for non-Saturday games. Fans can reserve RV season passes for $250 by calling 915-747-6150.
Prohibited items include glass containers, kegs, beer balls or beer funnels. No drinking games allowed.
Tailgaters must enter the Sun Bowl by the end of the first quarter. One person may stay at each tailgating site.
Information: tailgating.utep.edu
Family or company tailgating is available at Kidd Field, which offers access to tents, tables, chairs and front-row seats to the UTEP marching band and cheer pep rally.
Prices start at $425 for parties of 50 or more.
Information: Miner Athletic Club, 915-747-8759 or mac@utep.edu
Getting There
UTEP will run two football shuttles on game day.
Both shuttles will run from the SC2 parking lot along Schuster Avenue near Prospect Street on the south edge of campus north along Oregon Street to arrive at the stadium. One shuttle will drop off passengers on the press box side of the Sun Bowl. The other shuttle will stop at the GR2 lot across from Glory Field.
Fans on campus can utilize a unique game-day layer of UTEP’s interactive campus map.
UTEP’s campus map offers a 3-D, picturesque bird’s-eye view of the 420-acre campus that is readable on desktop computers, laptops and hand-held electronic devices including phones and tablets. On game day, the map will indicate locations for campus parking, paid parking, ADA accessible sites, restrooms, shuttle routes, emergency telephones and more.
Find the map here.