Don Haskins Center

Things to check out

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National Basketball Hall of Fame Banners

Hanging in the south concourse are banners honoring Don Haskins’ and the 1966 national championship winning team’s inductions into the National Basketball Hall of Fame. The 1966 team was the first team to win the NCAA title starting five black players, so stop by and check out the banners honoring this historic team.

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Trophy Cases

Right below the Hall of Fame banners are several trophy cases. The cases contain a variety of conference championship trophies and other awards, although none stand out as much as the 1966 national championship trophy.

Paydirt Pete

UTEP’s prospector mascot Paydirt Pete can be found on the sidelines at every Miners home basketball game. He can be seen riling up the crowd and performing a variety of different antics throughout the game, so keep your eyes open for him especially during the game.

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Gold Diggers

The UTEP dance team, known as the Gold Diggers, are a big part of a UTEP basketball in-game experience. These talented dancers perform several times throughout the game and put on an incredible show, which will keep you entertained during stoppages in play.

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Miner Maniacs

The Don Haskins Center is home to a phenomenal in-game atmosphere in large part thanks to the Miner Maniacs. UTEP students love their team and will stop at nothing to help them win. Enjoy the atmosphere provided by the Miner Manias, as they’re one of the best student sections in Conference USA.

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Fight Songs

1. El Paso

   One of the best traditions at UTEP is the singing of the 1959 Grammy winner “El Paso” by Marty Robbins. The song has been sped up and made more upbeat becoming a tradition as well as a fan favorite. The song gives the crowd unmatched energy and will give even the out of town fan goosebumps when it is sung, so keep your ears peeled for this UTEP tradition.

   Out in the West Texas town of El Paso
   I fell in love with a Mexican girl
   Nighttime would find me in Rosa’s cantina
   Music would play and Felina would whirlBlacker than night were the eyes of Felina
   Wicked and evil while casting a spell
   My love was deep for this Mexican maiden
   I was in love but in vain, I could tellOne night a wild young cowboy came in
   Wild as the West Texas wind
   Dashing and daring, a drink he was sharing
   With wicked Felina, the girl that I lovedSo in anger I
   Challenged his right for the love of this maiden
   Down went his hand for the gun that he wore
   My challenge was answered in less than a heartbeat
   The handsome young stranger lay dead on the floorJust for a moment I stood there in silence
   Shocked by the foul evil deed I had done
   Many thoughts raced through my mind as I stood there
   I had but one chance and that was to runOut through the back door of Rosa’s I ran
   Out where the horses were tied
   I caught a good one, it looked like it could run
   Up on its back and away I did ride

   Just as fast as I
   Could from the West Texas town of El Paso
   Out to the badlands of New Mexico

   Back in El Paso my life would be worthless
   Everything’s gone in life; nothing is left
   It’s been so long since I’ve seen the young maiden
   My love is stronger than my fear of death

   I saddled up and away I did go
   Riding alone in the dark
   Maybe tomorrow, a bullet may find me
   Tonight nothing’s worse than this pain in my heart

   And at last here I
   Am on the hill overlooking El Paso
   I can see Rosa’s cantina below
   My love is strong and it pushes me onward
   Down off the hill to Felina I go

   Off to my right I see five mounted cowboys
   Off to my left ride a dozen or more
   Shouting and shooting, I can’t let them catch me
   I have to make it to Rosa’s back door

   Something is dreadfully wrong for I feel
   A deep burning pain in my side
   Though I am trying to stay in the saddle
   I’m getting weary, unable to ride

   But my love for
   Felina is strong and I rise where I’ve fallen
   Though I am weary I can’t stop to rest
   I see the white puff of smoke from the rifle
   I feel the bullet go deep in my chest

   From out of nowhere Felina has found me
   Kissing my cheek as she kneels by my side
   Cradled by two loving arms that I’ll die for
   One little kiss and Felina, goodbye

2. Miners Fight

   Miners fight! Miners fight!
   And it’s goodbye to (opponent)
   Miners Fight! Miners fight!
   For we’ll put over one more win
   Miners fight!
   For it’s Miners that we love best
   Hail! Hail! The gang’s all here
   And it’s goodbye to all the rest!

3. Miner Victory

   UP! Men of Mines, and hit the trail
   The Texas spirit shall not fail
   Miners Fight (FIGHT!), for the Right
   For the ORANGE and the WHITE!

   TAMP TAMP TAMP TAMP, Men of Mines
   TAMP TAMP TAMP TAMP, Men of Mines

   Clear the way
   For it’s today
   We must gain the VICTORY!

4. UTEP Fight Song

   Out in the west Texas town of El Paso
   Home of the River they call Rio Grande
   Down on the border, the town of El Paso
   Home of the Miners the best in the land.

   Fighting to win, the Miners of UTEP
   Long live the College of Mines
   GO COLLEGE OF MINES!

   Loyal Forever we’re standing together
   Onward to victory, Orange and Blue!
   WE WILL BE TRUE!

   Out in the west Texas town of El Paso
   Home of the River they call Rio Grande
   Down on the border, the town of El Paso
   Home of the Miners the best in the land.

   (YELL)
   Hey!
   GO MINERS GO
   FIGHT MINERS FIGHT

   GO
   FIGHT
   WIN MINERS WIN