UTEP announces football gameday changes for 2012 season

By ABC-7 Reporter Krystal Klei

Back in 2010, the tailgating rules for the miners underwent a drastic change.

But after strict enforcement for nearly two years and a decrease in fan spirit UTEP says they are ready for an overhaul.

The rules included a delayed inner-campus tailgating start time from noon to 2 p.m. plus the banning of dj’s and amplified sound systems.

“We had a bunch of underage drinkers, fights, and problems that we wanted to avoid. We took corrective action. We were a little bit harsh. We overreacted at the time,” said UTEP Athletic Director Bob Stull.

Stull admits the rules led to a decrease in fan spirit and tailgating attendance.

“We talked that we wanted action on campus, we want students, we do not want underaged drinking,” Stull said.

So UTEP has decided to revamp their tailgating plans to appeal to families and students alike.

One of the biggest changes to UTEP tailgating this year will be pregames that involve fan zones and live Djs.

Every home game will have a theme and include things like video games, inflatables, face painting, dj’s and live bands.

Stull said they hope the new additions to each pre-game will get people excited but still keep the peace.

Read UTEP’s statement on gameday activities below:

UTEP’s 2012 football fan experience will be bolstered by the addition of the Miner Gameday Zone in the center of campus, and students will have the opportunity to take the field and participate in the “Miner Run” shortly before kickoff at all six home games. Director of Athletics Bob Stull discussed these new components and important gameday policies at a press conference on Monday at the Larry K. Durham Sports Center.

Located between the student union and Geological Sciences Building, Miner Gameday Zone will open at 2 p.m. for each of the first five home games. Admission is free. The Gameday Zone features a pre-game tailgating area and the Coca Cola Family Fan Zone with inflatables, face painting, live music and more.

The Miner Run will also be introduced for the Sept. 1 season opener against Oklahoma. Students will run across the field approximately 15 minutes before kickoff signaling the arrival of the football team. The UTEP team will enter the field through the “Mine Shaft.” Students can participate in the Miner Run by being a Miner Maniac or through the Student Development Center. For more information about the Miner Maniac program call 747-6787 or e-mail sjjudge@utep.edu, or call the Student Development Center (747-5670). Students will be issued special Miner Fun Run shirts.

Other information that was provided at Monday’s press conference:

Students MUST have a Miner Gold Card with the NEW student ID number to gain access to Sun Bowl Stadium. UTEP is utilizing a new student ticketing system this year and the new Miner Gold Card doubles as an event ticket. Only Miner Gold Cards issued on or after June 4, 2012 will gain admittance to the stadium. For additional information contact the Miner Gold Card office at 747-7334, minergoldcard@utep.edu, or www.minergoldcard.utep.edu.

UTEP Orange Fridays. Show your Miner pride by wearing orange on Fridays this year! The Student Government Association at UTEP is sponsoring ORANGE FRIDAYS and asking not only the University community but the El Paso community to partner in this new tradition. The official kickoff for Orange Fridays is August 31, 2012, Minerpalooza! Questions regarding Orange Fridays? Call the Office of Student Life at (915) 747-5648.

Game times. Fans should note that the opener against Oklahoma (Sept. 1) will kick off at 8:30 p.m. The next three home games (New Mexico State Sept. 15, SMU Oct. 6, Tulane Oct. 20) will all kick off at 6 p.m. The final two home games (UCF Nov. 10, Rice Nov. 24) will kick off at 5 p.m.
Game themes for UTEP’s six home games are as follows: Oklahoma (Sept. 1), Miner Gameday; New Mexico State (Sept. 15), Fiesta Night & Parents Weekend; SMU (Oct. 6), Western Night & Hall of Fame Game; Tulane (Oct. 20), Homecoming; UCF (Nov. 10), Military Night; and Rice (Nov. 24), Senior Night.

Tailgating. Outer campus lots will open at 8 a.m. and inner campus lots will open at 2 p.m. for each of UTEP’s first five home games.

Glory Road tailgates. Fans can purchase chalets for 80-100 people by calling the Miner Athletic Club at 747-6782. Chalets for the Oklahoma game (Sept. 1) are $1,000 and chalets for the remaining five home games are $700.

Live music in the Miner Gameday Zone. The lineup for the first five home games is as follows: Oklahoma (Sept. 1), 5-8 p.m. (DJ A-Rom & Bumpstreet Fonanza); New Mexico State (Sept. 15), 3-5:30 p.m. (DJ Johnny Kage & Radio La Chusma); SMU (Oct. 6), 3-5:30 p.m. (DJ A-Rom & Jukebox Jimmy and the City Vendors); Tulane (Oct. 20), 3-5:30 p.m. (DJ Technotics), and UCF (Nov. 10), 3-4:30 p.m. (1st Armored Division Band).

Oklahoma individual game tickets. Fans who purchased new season tickets or renewed prior to June 1 deadline can purchase up to 10 additional Oklahoma game tickets beginning on Aug. 13 at the University Ticket Center. Ten tickets are per account and not per season ticket. The general public can purchase additional Oklahoma tickets on Aug. 20 at the University Ticket Center. Oklahoma individual game ticket prices are $25 (general admission), $35 (bronze reserved), $60 (silver reserved) and $70 (gold reserved). Individual ticket prices for games excluding Oklahoma are $15 (general admission), $20 (bronze reserved), $45 (silver reserved) and $55 (gold reserved).