UTEP celebrates Homecoming Week with early morning pep rally

The University of Texas at El Paso was alive with Miner spirit Wednesday for its annual early morning pep rally ahead of the Homecoming game.

On Saturday, the UTEP football will take on the University of North Texas at the Sun Bowl stadium.

The team is still looking for its first win of the season, after losing to the University of Texas at San Antonio last week.

UTEP officials said Homecoming is a time to welcome back alumni and get students involved in the week-long festivities.

Through out the week students attended a pageant where the homecoming court was chosen, tailgates, a pep rally, and other fun-filled activities.

Every year, UTEP and the alumni association honor a group of men and women whose achievements stand out, they are recognized as the UTEP Distinguished Alumni.

The two recipients this year are Crystal Long and Karla Martinez.

Long is the president and CEO of GECU, the largest locally owned financial institution in El Paso. Martinez is the co-host of Univision’s highly rated national live morning show, ” Despierta America.”

Each individual college at UTEP also recognizes graduates who have excelled in their profession.

This year, they are Sam Armijo, Ph.D., Orlando Bejarano, Peter Chan, Annie Garcia, Ruth Ellen Jacobson, Christina Ilene Paz, DNP, Felipa Solis, Brig. Gen. Michael Talley and Joe D. Wardy.

On Thursday, UTEP will host its annual pep rally with performances from the Marching Miners, cheer team, Golddiggers and color guard. The pep rally will begin at noon on Centennial Plaza.

Homecoming week wraps up with Saturday;s game against UNT at the Sun Bowl, kick-off is at 5:30 p.m.

The first 1,000 fans will get a 1988 replica football jersey.