Originally posted November 3, 2015
The “Mining Minds” pickaxe sculpture at UTEP’s University Avenue roundabout will be illuminated in blue and orange Friday evening, Nov. 6, 2015, to celebrate The University of Texas at El Paso men’s cross country team, which claimed the 2015 Conference USA cross country championship title with 19 points on Saturday, Oct. 31. This is the team’s fifth title in 11 years in C-USA and first since the 2009 season.
“This was our best win at conference since 2007 when we scored 15 points,” said Coach Paul Ereng, the 2015 Conference USA Men’s Cross Country Coach of the Year. “I’m very proud of what our guys accomplished, and we racked up plenty of awards.”
“Mining Minds” is an iconic piece of public art installed in 2010 to enhance the UTEP campus. At night, orange lights illuminate the steel structure while light from LEDs emanate from the perforated “ones” and “zeroes” at each end of the pick.
On special occasions, including historic dates, major annual milestones and to celebrate special accomplishments, the pick is illuminated in blue and orange. Learn more about the statue and its artist at miningminds.utep.edu.