Miners fans reaction to team’s 2-6 record
Homecoming tailgaters were sparse and the usual University of Texas El Paso hot spots…empty. And the university’s offer to sell $9-a-pint beer during the game didn’t seem to make much of a difference.
“People aren’t going to come here and pay for $9 beer,” said Miners fan Royce Johnson. “I mean, you could get six tall boys for $10 at 7-11.”
Miner fever has cooled considerably as the team trudges along with a weak record and their lackluster performance is beginning to bother life-long fans.
“There’s really nothing we can say about it,” said fan Aldo Ontiveros.
Some blame the team, some blame the season schedule, but others blame the coach Mike Price.
“They should have let Price go three years ago,” Johnson said. “They didn’t and look what’s happened. Fans support has died out and its time for a change.”
Out of nine seasons, Price has lost six, and some say a 10th in ElPpaso is unlikely. Athletic Director Bob Stull has yet to extend Price’s contract. When ABC-7 asked him about his tentative future, he said he’s not giving up.
“Everyone’s looking for blame and that’s ok…I’m looking to correct,” Price said.
Price remains the only coach in UTEP history to win at least four games in eight consecutive years, and some fans still believe he can win more.
“Whether or not he stay is beyond me,” said fan Gustavo Rivera. “I really like what he’s done with the program. He’s brought a sense of price to the school.”
(Oct. 2012 story)
