The University of Texas at El Paso Athletics

UTEP competes in NCAA Division I, meaning big-time college sports with full athletic scholarships and serious recruiting. The Miners field 13 varsity sports and award $7.6 million in athletic scholarships annually. With 337 total athletes out of 20,547 students, just 1.6% of the student body plays varsity sports. UTEP belongs to Conference USA and maintains a heated rivalry with nearby New Mexico State University. The basketball program has the strongest tradition, reaching the NCAA top Eight in 2004 and playing in the iconic Don Haskins Center. The football team plays at the Sun Bowl, which also hosts the annual Sun Bowl game. The school's proximity to Mexico creates a unique border atmosphere for athletic events, with fans often crossing from Juárez to support the Miners.