GECU gifts $29.1 million to UTEP Athletics; UTEP to add GECU name to Don Haskins Center

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) -- The University of Texas at El Paso announced Monday that the university received a $29.1 million commitment from GECU to support enhancements to Don Haskins Center and the University’s athletics program.

According to UTEP officials, this is the largest gift ever made to UTEP Athletics and the second largest ever in University history.

During a ceremony in celebration of the gift, UTEP President Heather Wilson announced a new name for the Don Haskins Center in collaboration with GECU: GECU Arena at the Don Haskins Center.  

“From graduations to iconic concerts to epic sports rivalries, almost every family in El Paso has a special memory at the GECU Arena at the Don Haskins Center,” said Wilson. “We are grateful and honored GECU is partnering with us to enhance such an important community resource and for their support of our student-athletes.”

“Our new collaboration with UTEP is about honoring the past while investing in the future," said Alex Rascón, GECU president and CEO. “For more than five decades, GECU Arena at the Don Haskins Center has been a place where our community comes together to celebrate, make history, create memories and support one another. We are proud to stand alongside UTEP in preserving Coach Haskins' legacy while helping ensure this iconic venue continues serving our region for generations to come.”

According to UTEP, the gift will be used to enhance GECU Arena at the Don Haskins and other UTEP athletics facilities and to provide general support for UTEP athletics. 

“The GECU Arena at the Don Haskins Center is and will continue to be a place where legends unfold, and it needs to be maintained accordingly,” said Jim Senter, vice president of athletics. “These funds will be used for a wide variety of projects designed to improve the community and fan experience and maintain the facility.”

Senter also mentioned that this partnership will also help UTEP Athletics be competitive in the Mountain West Conference by supporting recruitment and retention of student-athletes. UTEP officials additionally say that the gift will support financial literacy education for UTEP students. 

The naming of GECU Arena at the Don Haskins Center is set for the next 15 years.