UTEP men’s basketball team made history Oct. 5, hosting its first-ever open practice in Ciudad Juárez on the campus of the Universidad Autónoma de Ciudad Juárez (UACJ). The event marked a significant milestone for the Miners, who brought its passion for basketball across the border to engage with its Hispanic fan base.
“We are so excited to take our team to Juárez and capture the attention of a fan base that hasn’t always had access to Miner Basketball,” UTEP men’s basketball Head Coach Joe Golding said. The Miners fully embraced the opportunity, creating a memorable experience for both the players and fans.
The day kicked off with the Miners hosting a youth clinic, where aspiring young players had the chance to learn drills and techniques from the team. The clinic displayed UTEP’s commitment to community outreach and encouraging the next generation of athletes.
After the clinic, the Miners hit the court for a high energy team scrimmage, which amassed a good turnout of excited fans. The back-and-forth action provided fans with a first glimpse of the team’s chemistry and competitive spirit ahead of the upcoming season.
Although this was only a scrimmage, the game symbolized a cross-border unity through sports as fans supported the Miners as their own. Following the scrimmage, the players showed their appreciation, signing autographs and taking photos with fans.
The Miners will again make history by traveling to Ciudad Chihuahua for an exhibition in Mexico for the first time, further expanding their reach and strengthening ties with fans across the border.
The Miners will face Universidad Autónoma de Chihuahua (UACH) in an exhibition contest on Saturday, Oct. 19 at 7:30 p.m. MT. in the 9,000-seat Gimnasio Universitario Manuel Bernardo Aguirre.
Christian Garza is a contributor and may be reached [email protected].
