EL PASO, Texas – Fans can get their first look at the new statue of legendary coach Don Haskins on Saturday, Feb. 24 at 4 pm. "A Celebration of Coach Haskins" will be held outside the Don Haskins Center, on the East side of the arena where the statue will be located.
The statue is a gift from JoAnn and Dan Longoria. It was created by classically trained master sculptor Brian Hanlon.
Long-time "Voice of the Miners" Jon Teicher will emcee "A Celebration of Coach Haskins." He will share his memories of the Hall of Fame coach and invite legendary Miners of yesteryear to do the same.
The list of former Miners who are expected to attend includes:
- Roshern Amie
- Anthony Burns
- Gary Brewster
- Antonio Davis
- Dave Feitl
- Luster Goodwin
- Tim Hardaway
- Fred Reynolds
- David Van Dyke
- Brandon Wolfram
- And many more!
The event is free and open to the public and will precede the Miners' basketball game versus CUSA leader Sam Houston at 7 pm. One of coach Haskins' greatest teams, the 1983-84 Miners, will be honored at halftime of the game on their 40
th anniversary. Tickets to the game, starting at just $9.15, can be purchased by visiting
www.UTEPMiners.comor by calling (915) 747-UTEP.
Haskins, the former head coach at Texas Western College — now The University of Texas at El Paso — is most recognized for leading the Miners to a national title. On March 19, 1966, Haskins made history by becoming the first coach to start five African American players in the national championship game. Haskins' Miners stunned the heavily favored Kentucky Wildcats in a game of tremendous historical and social significance.
Haskins was the head coach at Texas Western College for 38 years, from 1961-1999. He led the Miners to 719 wins, 14 NCAA Tournament appearances and seven Western Athletic Conference championships. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame on Sept. 29, 1997.
Help support UTEP student-athletes by making a gift to the Miner Athletic Club.
Visit givingto.utep.edu/mac today!
For complete coverage of UTEP men's basketball, be sure to follow the Miners on social media at @UTEPMBB (Twitter), @utepmbb (Instagram) and on Facebook @UTEPMensBasketball or visit the official home of UTEP Athletics at www.UTEPMiners.com
