UTEP’s Paydirt Pete A Finalist For 2010 Capital One Mascot Challenge

UTEP mascot Paydirt Pete has been named one of 16 finalists for the 2010 Capital One Bowl Mascot Challenge.

Paydirt Pete, who is celebrating his 30th season of cheering on the Miners from the sidelines, makes his first appearance on the national team in the program’s history and is the sole representative from the state of Texas to be selected to the team.

“We are very excited for Paydirt Pete to be included on the 2010 Capital One National Mascot Team,” said UTEP Athletics Marketing Assistant Aaron Villalobos. “This prestigious honor is only awarded to a select group of mascots per year and to have Pete included in this group speaks to the quality of our student performers and the rich tradition of our university.”

Mascots advance through the rounds of competition based off of fan voting and participation. Starting Monday, August 30, fans may begin voting for Paydirt Pete at www.capitalonebowl.com or on their cellular phones by texting “PaydirtPete” to 69866.

For being selected to the 2010 team, the Paydirt Pete mascot team has been awarded a $5,000 grant by Capital One to support and build the school’s mascot program. If selected as the competition’s champion in December, Paydirt Pete has the opportunity to win an additional $15,000 to support program operations.

“We are very excited for this year’s campaign and are confident that El Paso and the greater UTEP community can show the nation that Paydirt Pete is the best collegiate mascot in the nation,” said Villalobos.

Paydirt Pete kicks off the 2010 campaign by facing last year’s national champion, the Cincinnati Bearcat, in a head -to-head competition.

Vote online at http://www.capitalonebowl.com