EL PASO, Texas – The University of Texas at El Paso will welcome back alumni from all over the world during the weeklong Homecoming festivities that begin Sunday, Oct. 23, 2016 and continue through Saturday, Oct. 29.
“This is a wonderful time to be part of the UTEP alumni family,” said Maribel Villalva, assistant vice president for alumni relations. “We want to invite all of our UTEP graduates to campus, especially those who haven’t yet seen the beautiful campus transformation and addition of Centennial Plaza.
“Throughout the week, all of the colleges will have events specific to their alumni, so we encourage everyone to visit with their classmates, former professors and deans. Participating alumni range from those who graduated last year to Miners who graduated more than 50 years ago!”
Proud UTEP alumni and students will bring their best game and prepare to level up at events and activities throughout the week that reflect this year’s Homecoming theme – Pete’s Arcade – which pays homage to video arcade-style games.
The 7th annual Miner Dash 5K Run/3K Walk and Family Fitness Fiesta will kick off Homecoming from 8 to 11 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 23 at UTEP’s Centennial Plaza. The event will feature a wheelchair division and activities for the whole family, including a rock climbing wall, simulated bicycling challenge, bungee jumping, a tricycle track for toddlers, an inflatable obstacle course, Zumba and yoga.
The Student Government Association will host the Homecoming Pageant from 7 to 9 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 23 at Magoffin Auditorium. More than 20 UTEP students representing various colleges and student organizations will compete for the title of UTEP’s 2016 Homecoming King and Queen. The public is invited to help cheer on the contestants.
Members of the media are invited to attend UTEP’s Miner Morning Mania from 4:30 to 8 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 26 in the P-9 parking lot at the north end of Sun Bowl Stadium. The event generates excitement among alumni, students and the community for UTEP’s Homecoming activities.
All active and veteran military and military-affiliated individuals are encouraged to attend the Sixth Annual Major General Juan G. Ayala Military Appreciation Breakfast from 7:30–9 a.m. Friday, Oct. 28 in the Geological Sciences Building, Geology Reading Room 310. The event is hosted by the College of Business Administration and will feature special guest speaker Col. Michael J. Hester, garrison commander of Fort Bliss, Texas.
Participants will also have the opportunity to showcase their UTEP pride on Saturday during the Homecoming Parade, the Homecoming Pep Rally, tailgating and the football game in Sun Bowl Stadium.
“We want to fill the streets, the campus and Sun Bowl Stadium with our UTEP family for this once-a-year celebration,” Villalva said.
Members of the UTEP community will team up with students from Mesita Elementary School and Mesita Early Childhood Development Center at Vilas (ECDC) for the Homecoming Parade at 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29 beginning at Mesita ECDC at Vilas and ending at Centennial Plaza on the UTEP campus.
The excitement continues as UTEP students, alumni and friends display their Miner pride at the Pep Rally at 3 p.m. at Centennial Plaza.
The UTEP men’s football team will play Old Dominion at 6 p.m. Oct. 29 at Sun Bowl Stadium.
Inner campus tailgates may start at 2 p.m. while outer lots may begin at 8 a.m. For more information on tailgating rules and regulations, visit http://tailgate.utep.edu.
A full schedule of Homecoming events and festivities is available at http://alumni.utep.edu/homecoming.