UTEP Miners

UTEP Football Signing Day Event Raises $376,361 for Program

2/5/2026 4:09:00 PM

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EL PASO, Texas – Speaking Rock Entertainment Center hosted a private fundraising event for the UTEP football program on "National Signing Day" Wednesday night. The event was a resounding success, with a total of $376,361 raised for coach Scotty Walden's Miners.

UTEP Athletics administration, football staff members and supporters celebrated the Miners' 2026 recruiting class, which ranks no. 2 among non-Power 4 programs in the state of Texas and no. 2 in the new-look Mountain West Conference, per 247sports.com.

Highlighting the evening was coach Walden and his wife, Callie, announcing that they would contribute $80,000 of their personal funds back to the football program. This brought the giving total to over $160,000. Speaking Rock matched this number, bringing the total to over $320,000. From there, various donors kept the momentum going before the night came to a close with a total fundraising number of $376,361.

Funds will support the UTEP Football Gridiron Club and aid the Miners' recruiting efforts and nutrition program as they prepare to transition to the Mountain West, effective July 1.

"We would like to thank Ysleta Del Sur Pueblo and Speaking Rock Entertainment Center for their support of UTEP Football, and for putting an incredible event together on Wednesday," Walden said. "We are stepping up the level of competition by joining the Mountain West Conference, and we are determined to step up our level of play. Through the tremendous support of Speaking Rock and our donors, we are on our way to putting a championship-caliber program on the field."

"We extend our sincere gratitude to Ysleta Del Sur Pueblo and Speaking Rock Entertainment Center for their outstanding support," UTEP Deputy Athletic Director for Revenue Generation Michael Levy said. "Their passion for UTEP Football is unmatched, and last night's event showcased that commitment in a powerful way for the entire community. The evening not only generated significant funds to advance our program, but also left everyone in attendance energized and optimistic about the future of UTEP Football."

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