After a challenging 2023 season, UTEP football kicks off this year with renewed energy and optimism. The Miner spirit is spreading throughout campus, fueling hopes for a standout 2024 season.
A lot of buzz surrounds new Head Coach Scotty Walden, whose excitement and passion for the sport and the UTEP Miners have created a new enthusiasm in the student body.
His vibrant energy was on full display during Texas Western Gold Rush, where he hyped up the crowd and displayed his commitment to turning the team’s performance around.
With Walden at the center, the UTEP community is ready to rally behind their team for an exciting new chapter.
Music education student and drum major for UTEP’s marching band, the Marching Miners, Karen Carrillo shared her excitement for Walden and the upcoming season.
“The whole city’s freaking out about how our new football coach is literally going to change the team this year,” said Carrillo. “So, I’m excited to win because we’re gonna win.”
UTEP nursing student Joshua Baquera shares this same sentiment, saying that aside from the first loss against the Nebraska Cornhuskers, the Miners will improve.
“I’m excited, I understand that we lost our first game, but that’s all right,” said Baquera. “I think that we can always bounce back. I think we’re gonna have a really good year this year.”
For other students like freshman Austin Tellez, at first disappointment seemed almost a guarantee, but Walden ignited a new sense of hope.
“UTEP, year in and year out, they just disappoint,” Tellez said. “I hope that Scotty Walden brings the energy that the players need to be able to make a bowl game this season.”
Sophomore Alondra Royval is a member of the Marching Miners and reflects on how even through the tough prior season, she saw it as an opportunity to grow.
“We know that if there’s any obstacles that we have, we can overcome them,” said Royval. “I think that definitely helped to motivate all of us, to know where we’re coming from in our past in order to keep going.”
An iconic part of Miner spirit is the slogan and hand-sign “Picks Up!” According to the UTEP Division of Student Affairs, the pickaxe is the longest running school tradition, dating back to the first unofficial seal in 1919.
For some students like Carrillo, “Picks Up!” has been so integrated into the school spirit, that it became a daily phrase.
“I love the hand signs. I’m always like, oh that’s such a ‘Picks Up!’ moment or like that is so ‘Picks Up!’ of you,” said Carrillo.
Along with the Miner spirit comes gratitude for the Marching Miners, who are always there to support the football team according to band member Ana Conde.
“I’m really grateful that we’re appreciated in football games, because what the marching band gives to the football team, it’s like just an extra reward for the football team,” Conde said. “It definitely wouldn’t be the same without the band and I feel like the audience really appreciates that.’’
With a much-anticipated season ahead for the UTEP football team, the dedication and spirit of the Miner community and Coach Walden’s passionate leadership has set the stage.
Ximena Cordero is staff reporter and may be reached at [email protected]
