Downtown El Paso ballpark to be known as Southwest University Park

The El Paso Chihuahuas ballpark will be known as Southwest University Park, Chihuahuas officials announced Wednesday.

The contract with Southwest University is part of a 20-year agreement which extends through 2033.

Chihuahuas general manager Brad Taylor declined to tell ABC-7 how much Southwest University paid for the naming rights.

Published reports show that Fresno’s Triple-A baseball team sold the naming rights to its ballpark for $16 million over 15 years and Sacramento’s Triple-A team sold its naming rights to its ballpark for $15 million over 20 years.

“We at Southwest University are extremely excited to become a part of the Chihuahua’s baseball family,” said Yolanda Arriola, President of Southwest University. “Through this partnership we will continue to bring pride, excitement, and opportunity to our students and the El Paso community.”

The name, Southwest University Park, will be seen throughout the ballpark, most prominently at the entrances to the facility.

The marquee logo piece will be located on top of the video board, which will be visible from inside the park as well as from downtown vantage points.

The name also will appear on store merchandise and “collateral pieces” across digital media and in advertising campaigns.

The Chihuahuas are set to begin playing at the stadium April 28.

Southwest University was founded in 1999 by the Arriola family and has built a curriculum in the fields of medical administration and health care support, as well as in technical areas of concentration. It earned official accredited university status in 2012.

“Southwest University and the Arriola family are committed members of this community, and their enthusiasm for El Paso and this Ballpark makes them an ideal partner,” Taylor said. “They’ll be a part of our team for years to come.”

This past weekend, three fans were allowed to sit in the first installed seats at the Downtown ballpark.