$1 Million Gift to UTEP Volleyball Program Makes Memorial Gym Renovation a Reality

Gym slated for new seating, lighting, more

2/27/2026 11:29:00 AM

EL PASO, Texas – Bob McFadden, DDS, has made a $1 million gift to the UTEP Volleyball program. McFadden joined UTEP President Heather Wilson, Volleyball Coach Ben Wallis and Vice President and Director of Athletics Jim Senter for the announcement on Friday. McFadden's gift is the largest donation to a women's sport in UTEP Athletics history and paves the way for a significant renovation of Memorial Gym, the home of the UTEP Volleyball team.

"Bob's generosity is remarkable and much appreciated. It's a powerful vote of confidence in our team and will be really great for our fans," Wilson said. "UTEP volleyball is great to watch, and now the 'Memorial Maniacs' will have even more reasons to come."

"It's time that I give something back to my alma mater. I grew up watching Miner basketball in Memorial Gym in the 1960's, and the UTEP volleyball team has thrilled me in recent years," McFadden said. "These young ladies excel in the classroom, they have goals, and they're going to be our leaders in the future. It's my pleasure to both support the UTEP volleyball program and help enhance the gameday experience in Memorial Gym for the next generation of Miner fans. It's my way of saying thank you to UTEP for educating me and for everything this wonderful University has done for El Paso."

The gift will allow Athletics to begin the first phase of a projected $1.5 million renovation, to include new premium seating in the lower level of Memorial Gym and the installation of a state-of-the art Taraflex, an advanced sports flooring and playing surface that will allow UTEP to host volleyball conference tournaments. Additional funding will address lighting and sound upgrades.

The Memorial Gym project is slated to commence this spring and conclude in time for the 2026 season, when the Miners will join the Mountain West Conference.

Renderings

"We are so thankful to Bob McFadden for his generosity, and we're excited about launching a new era of Miner Volleyball in the Mountain West Conference with a state-of-the-art Memorial Gym," Senter said. "This is a milestone day for UTEP Athletics."

McFadden is a retired general practice dentist who provided distinguished oral healthcare to the El Paso community prior to selling his practice in 2019. McFadden attended UTEP in the 1970s and has praised the biology and chemistry departments for preparing him for dental school.

McFadden delivered comprehensive dental services to the Sun City, including preventative care, diagnostic evaluations, cleanings, cavity treatment, restorative procedures, crowns, extractions, veneers and root‑canal–related therapies. He has a long history of supporting UTEP Athletics, both as a donor and season ticket holder for men's basketball. He is also an avid fisherman and hunter.

"I can't begin to express not only my excitement, but more importantly my gratitude for Bob McFadden's incredibly generous gift," Coach Wallis said. "Not only is it historic, but it continues to demonstrate how much this city loves UTEP and our volleyball program. We continue to elevate our play on the court, and now we'll be upgrading our fan experience as well."

Season ticket holders and project donors will have first access to seating for the 2026 season based on their Miner Athletic Club (MAC) priority points ranking. They will be contacted by a MAC representative, with seat selection beginning the week of March 30th.

To make a gift to indoor volleyball or any of the Miners' nine women's sports programs, click here. For more on the Memorial Gym renovation project, click here. For additional information, please contact the Miner Athletic Club by phone (915-747-8759) or email (mac@utep.edu).

About UTEP Volleyball
UTEP has posted 141 victories under seventh-year head coach Ben Wallis, including a staggering .786 win percentage (77-21) over the last three seasons. The Miners were Conference USA regular season co-champions in 2025 and earned their second consecutive at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament. They achieved a program-record #15 ranking in the Ratings Percentage Index (RPI) this past season. UTEP has compiled a spectacular 31-3 record in conference play over the last three years.

About Memorial Gym
Memorial Gym has been home to the UTEP volleyball team since the program's inception in 1974. Memorial Gym is best known for being the home court of the 1966 national champion Texas Western College men's basketball team. The Miners played their home games in Memorial Gym during their first 16 seasons under the direction of legendary coach Don Haskins (1961-77). The UTEP women's basketball team also played its home games in Memorial Gym during the early years of the program, which was also founded in 1974.

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