UTEP Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2020: Jami Tullius, UTEP soccer (2004-2007)

EL PASO, Texas - Jami Tullius is the personification of what can happen through hard work and determination.

Her years on UTEP's soccer team led to her success not only on the pitch, but also in life.

On October 15, Tullius will be inducted into the UTEP Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2020.

Tullius, an El Paso native, played soccer at Eastwood High School and was a star player for the Troopers.

She signed with UTEP in 2004 and immediately made an impact with the Miners.

Tullius was a starter for the Miners from 2004-2007.

The transition from playing high school soccer to college wasn't easy, and Tullius had to prove herself.

"I'm not going to say going from high school to UTEP wasn't hard because I definitely worked really hard to get on that starting team," Tullius said. "I started training the summer before with a lot of the team. From conditioning, and the workouts, to some of the scrimmages before the season even started, it was just showing that I was supposed to be there."

Tullius finished as the program record-holder for goals (47) and points (112). 

She is also tied for first in school history for game-winning goals (12) and multi-goal games (11). 

She was appointed the Conference USA Offensive Player of the Year in 2007. 

Tullius led UTEP to a sparkling record of 61-22-4, including a program-best 20-4-1 mark in 2005. 

The 2005 squad advanced to the NCAA Tournament, winning a first-round game at Texas as Tullius produced two goals in the final 10 minutes of the contest to force overtime in what eventually became a 3-2 victory for the Miners.

"We were looked at as an underdog," Tullius said. "I think that drove a lot of our passion to just want to make a name for ourselves."

Tullius helped lead the Miners to success during her time at UTEP, and her years on the team also helped in her career.

Tullius works as a mechanical engineer in Tucson, Arizona.

Outside of just honing her soccer skills, the years on UTEP's soccer team also taught Tullius the importance of teamwork.

Tullius is forever grateful for those life lessons and says she is honored to be inducted into the UTEP Athletics Hall of Fame.

"It's always an honor to be picked or chosen to be in the Hall of Fame especially with all the greats who have gone through UTEP, so I was just really ecstatic," Tullius said.