Mascot

The Miners have had nearly as many mascots for its athletic teams as the school has had names.

Probably the first so-called mascot was a student dressed as a prospector leading a burro, named Clyde. Some years after Clyde began making appearances at football games, then-president Dr. Joseph Ray became disenchanted with the animal's appearance.

In a letter to the dean of students, Dr. Ray demanded that something be done about that "sorry-looking, pot-bellied creature, not fit to represent the Miners." Clyde was surveyed out in 1966 and replaced by Henry, another burro.

The name Paydirt Pete originated from a 1974 contest to give a name to the mascot. The name Paydirt Pete was selected from over 500 entries. The first animated Paydirt Pete was given a face in 1974. It was recreated in 1980. This was a lovable little ol' Miner which probably led to his being dubbed "Sweet Pete." At any rate, ol' Sweet Pete was not a very popular mascot and, like Clyde, he made a quick exit in order for the present Paydirt Pete to arrive on the scene.

This Paydirt Pete is meaner looking, has a major-league swagger and has become something of a goodwill ambassador for the school, as well as appearing at UTEP sporting events.

Nickname

We must presume the nickname "Miners" came from the fact that the school was founded as the "State School of Mines and Metallurgy."

In doing research on this project, early mention of "Ore Diggers" and "Muckers" for the nickname was found, but nothing to determine if the name "Miners" was voted upon by the student body, or if a faculty member, John W. (Cap) Kidd, chose the name.

Kidd was a big booster of athletics, especially football, and in 1915, when funds were rather lean at the school, Kidd donated $800 to equip the football team. He also assisted with coaching, although he was not the head coach. The present track and field complex on campus bears Cap Kidd's name.

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University Colors/Song

 

Research fails to produce where and why the school selected the colors orange and white. It is known the student body debated in the early 1920s as to whether it would continue with these colors after the school changed its name for the first time. The students voted to keep the colors. In 1980, blue was added so the official colors became orange, white and blue. When the new athletic department logo was introduced in 1999, a darker hue of blue was incorporated into the logo, as well as a silver accent to go with the customary orange. "The Eyes of Texas are Upon You" was adopted by the 1920 student body when the song had been "declared the school anthem for the University of Texas (Austin)." UTEP's fight song, "Miners Fight" was also an offshoot from the Austin Campus. However, in the late 1980s and with Marty Robbins' blessing, Professor Gene Lewis rewrote the song with the melody "El Paso."

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University Name

The school has undergone three name changes since the Texas Legislature awarded El Paso a four-year institution in 1913 known as the "State School of Mines and Metallurgy." When the school became part of the University of Texas system in 1919, the school's name was changed to "College of Mines and Metallurgy, El Paso." The name changed to Texas Western College in 1949. The university assumed its present title, "The University of Texas at El Paso," in 1967, the year after the men's basketball team won NCAA Championship. Men O' Mines   Men O' Mines Lyrics  Far beneath the crags of Franklin Stand our Alma Mater's halls. Gleams afar her rock-hewn campus, Dust brown walls against the hills. Gem of learning in a country Whose own wealth of lore enthralls. Hail the light of Texas Western And the mission she fulfils! May the canyon walls above her Echo back her classic name, And the deeds of men who leave her Stir the heights on which she stands. May the pangs of recollection Set their memories aflame, `Till they see again the beauty Of the vista she commands.