UTEP Miners

UTEP Athletics Fan Council Mission Statement
The UTEP Fan Council (FC) will serve as a conduit through which Miner fans can formally engage the athletic department with ideas, questions and feedback.  In addition, the FC will serve as advocates to Miner fans, helping address the myriad of complex issues facing today's Division I Athletic Department.


2021-22 UTEP Athletics Fan Council

Elizabeth Aveytia [email]
Elizabeth is very excited to be a part of the UTEP Fan Council.  She is a lifelong resident of El Paso and has always been a huge UTEP fan.  She and her family would attend the basketball games and were also season ticket holders for football.   Her husband is a UTEP alum and her daughter Irazema is a student trainer with the Miners. 








Elizabeth Bernal [email]
Elizabeth Bernal was born and raised in El Paso. She attended Bowie High School and earned her associate's degree in Business Administration from EPCC.  During high school she worked for the El Paso County Sheriff Department.  Over the years she was transferred to the El Paso County Tax Title, Automotive, Family Law, and ended up in the Purchasing department. She was hired at the City of El Paso Housing Authority as a Purchasing clerk, before moving on to the UTEP Purchasing department for 11 years. She volunteered with VITA, Bookroom, Health Center and the Athletics department. Later she started a family. She became a Flight Attendant with Mesa Airlines, which she really enjoyed for six years. Now, she works from home preparing income taxes during the season and enjoying time with her adult boys and grandson. 





Raymond Campa [email]
Raymond Campa was born and raised in El Paso.  He graduated from Riverside High School in 2005.  He then attended UTEP and earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology with a minor in Education in 2010.  He is currently a PE teacher at a local school district.  Raymond has been attending UTEP sporting events throughout his life as a child, UTEP student, and now as an alumnus.  He is excited and honored to be a part of the UTEP fan council and is most looking forward to attending future events with his wife and newborn daughter.







Tim Cantrell [email]
Tim Cantrell was raised in El Paso and is a lifelong UTEP fan.  He graduated from Irvin High School and from UTEP in 1999 with a degree in Marketing and Finance.  He has been a Real Estate Agent for 19years with Sandy Messer & Associates.  He is passionate about UTEP basketball and has been a season ticket holder for 15 years.  He can remember going to basketball games in the early 80's when the Don Haskins Center was sold out and extremely loud.  As a member of the Fan Council, he wants to get  the community, fans and alumni excited again about UTEP Athletics again.







Greg Daw [email]






Bernie del Hierro [email]
Bernie del Hierro is a native El Pasoan who brings with him a plethora of real estate and financial industry experience, having attended Texas Tech (men’s tennis team), UTEP and Oklahoma where he attained his MBA.  He has a vast background over the past 21+ years in both commodity trading and commercial and multi-family real estate, most recently as the Director for the Borderplex Realty Trust.  There, he dealt with asset management, acquisition and disposition of a commercial real estate portfolio spanning over $80 million and was the lead analyst for financial modeling, forecasting, underwriting, and budgeting.  Bernie volunteers his free time with several local charities including the Boys and Girls Club & The Ronald McDonald House of El Paso.  He enjoys competitive running / triathlons and has completed several marathons internationally and domestically.  He and his wife, Ivette have three children, Monique, Sebastian and Valentina.






Christian Diaz [email]
Christian Diaz was born and raised in El Paso.  He attended St. Joseph`s and graduated from Americas High School in 2015.  Christian graduated with his Bachelor of Science Degree in Sport Management from Texas A&M in 2019.  He went on to obtain his M.B.A. in Finance from UTEP. Christian also was a full-time intern for the Miner Athletic Club during his final semester at Texas A&M.  Currently, Christian is the Director of Special Initiatives for the Borderplex Alliance.  In his role, he works with the business recruitment and attraction team, as well as with the implementation of the strategic plan. Aside from work, he is also a coach for the St. Josephs boys middle school basketball team. He has been a Miner fan since he was very young and some of his fondest memories have come at the Don Haskins Center and Sun Bowl with his family and friends.  He hopes to increase engagement from younger alumni and students so that the new generation can also have those experiences.






Itzel Figueroa [email]
Itzel Figueroa was born and raised in El Paso, where she graduated from Americas High School. She became a UTEP student and proud Miner in 2010, worked at the University Career Center, was an active member of student organizations, and was presented with the 2014 Woman of UTEP award in recognition of her achievement in leadership, academic excellence, and service to the UTEP and El Paso communities. Itzel graduated as part of the UTEP Centennial Commencement class of 2014 with her Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting and moved to DC to work for the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. After a couple of years, Itzel accepted a position with El Paso Electric where she currently works in the financial accounting department. She furthered her education and earned her Master of Accountancy in 2018 from UTEP.  Itzel continues to be a proud Miner and likes to attend sporting events with her brothers.
  




Doyle Gaither [email]
Doyle Gaither graduated from Texas Western College with his Bachelor of Business Administration in 1966, and later attended the Southwestern Graduate School of Banking at Southern Methodist University, obtaining his degree in 1975.  He served the U.S. Army on active duty from 1966-68, including in Vietnam.  Later, he has been a community banker at all levels, ranging from Management Trainee to Chairman of the Board of Directors at Bank of Sierra Blanca in Sierra Blanca, Texas.  His present interest is the creation and operation of a website that teaches accounting principles.  As a UTEP alumnus and native El Pasoan, Doyle has always felt that UTEP Athletics is a vital part of the community's life and culture.  It is his hope that he can be a productive contributor in this regard.





Jacob Leonard [email]
Fred Lopez [email]
Fred Lopez is currently Director of Urban Planning at Creosote Collaborative, LLC, an urban planning and sustainability firm based in El Paso, TX. He received a Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree from the University of Texas at El Paso. Fred hopes to contribute to UTEP Athletics by encouraging El Pasoans to support athletic programs and scholarships. 







Chris Lucy [email]
Born and raised in El Paso, Chris Lucy is currently the Marketing Specialist for the UTEP Bookstore.  Prior to joining the UTEP Bookstore team, he served as the Marketing, Event, and Promotions Director for iheartRadio El Paso (KPRR FM, KHEY FM/AM, and KTSM FM/AM) for 18 years, producing such events as Generation 2000, Power Jam, Wild N’ Out, Hot Country Unplugged, and Jingle Jam to name a few.  He is proud to have been associated with many UTEP sports related media broadcasts including football games, coaches shows, Director of Athletics Shows, and the weekly “Sports Beat."  He has had the opportunity to work with many great individuals associated with the UTEP Athletic Department including Don Haskins, Jim Senter, Bob Stull, Charlie Bailey, Tim Floyd, Billy Gillispie and one of his mentors Jon Teicher.  His favorite UTEP sports memory was in December of 2000 in Boise, Idaho as a spotter for the radio broadcast of the Humanitarian Bowl featuring the Miners versus the Boise State Broncos.  The most important piece of UTEP memorabilia that he owns is a clip on tie that once was owned and worn by Don Haskins, and given to him by Mary Haskins. 




Gloria MacNeil [email]





Jaime Mendez [email]
Jaime Mendez is the director of the UTEP Student Support Services Program which is dedicated to providing resources and assistance to low-income, first-generation college students with the ultimate goal of undergraduate degree completion.  He received his bachelors in Psychology (1997) and Masters in Theater (2006) from UTEP.  While currently completing a doctorate in Education, Jaime enjoys spending time with his wife and daughter at various campus and community events.  He looks forward to bringing Aviana to her first UTEP football game this fall as she will be turning one in August. 






Bryan Morris [email]
Bryan Morris, P.E. is a Professional Electrical Engineer and resides in El Paso. He is a partner in an El Paso Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing Engineering design firm since 1993. Bryan graduated from UTEP in 1982 with a BSEE.  Bryan is a Board Member on the Public Service Board. Bryan has been the Presiding Officer for the Elevator Advisory Board since 2008. This board is an advisory board as part of the Texas Department Licensing and Regulation.  Bryan has coached T-Ball, has been a Cub Scout Den Leader, Cub Scout popcorn chairman, volunteered at church functions and at Animal Rescue League. Bryan was a regular blood donor having donated more than five gallons of blood.  Bryan and his family have had season tickets for football, men’s basketball and women’s basketball on and off since 1985. The Bryan’s also enjoy watching soccer, rifle and especially softball. The family loves to tailgate in their RV for the football games.  Bryan and his wife (UTEP BA1990, UNT MIS 1996), who is a middle school librarian, have a son (UTEP MS Physics 2016) that will graduate medical school in 2021. They have several rescue dogs and cats. They love to take trips in their RV. Bryan is a big fan of college softball, dirt car racing and NASCAR. They are new fans to junior level ice hockey and have been billeting parents to El Paso Rhino hockey players.




Roderick Pearson [email]
Rodrick Pearson arrived in El Paso for work in the 1990’s. He rode onto campus one day and fell in love. He obtained a Master’s in Physics and a Ph.D. in Environmental Science and Engineering from UTEP. He has been attending games since his first trip to the campus. He worked around the country and eventually came back to El Paso. Now he works in education and cheers on the Miners.







Mona Plaza [email]
Mona Plaza is a UTEP graduate and is currently working on her doctorate in Educational Leadership from the school.  She is not a native El Pasoan, but has lived here most of her life and during that time, has ALWAYS been a UTEP fan!  Some of her best times have come while attending UTEP games and athletic functions, and she wants that tradition to continue for current and future fans.  She is excited to be a part of the Fan Council, and appreciates the opportunity to serve the community of Miners and Miner fans.






Mike Pry [email]
Mike Pry was a member of the UTEP football team from 1995-98 and also competed for the Miner track and field squad from 1995-96.  He earned his undergraduate degree from Texas Tech and his Masters from Sul Ross State.  The Coronado High School graduate is currently Assistant Head Football Coach and Offensive Line Coach at Pebble Hills High, where he also serves as a Professional Communication Teacher.  Pry and his family never missed a UTEP basketball game in the 1980’s and early 90’s.  Some of his favorite UTEP memories came from watching Jeep Jackson, Tim Hardaway, Fred Reynolds, Dave Feitl and Wayne “Soup” Campbell win title after title.  Another of his favorite memories was seeing Kent Lockhart rough up the entire BYU basketball team in 1985.  His goal for the fan council is to be a sounding board for the community and an advocate for UTEP athletics.




Alexis Reyes [email]
Alexis Reyes was born and raised in El Paso, where she attended J.M Hanks High School. She obtained scholarships to attend UTEP, but also worked full-time as a gymnastics coach and waitress to put herself through college. She graduated from UTEP with a Bachelors in Computer Science and a Masters in Software Engineering, both with a focus in Cyber Security. She took advantage of the Fast-Track Program, and was a recipient of the Cyber Corps: Scholarship for Service. During her time at UTEP, she completed three summer internships in Maryland with the John's Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory, and a Spring semester internship with The Army Futures Command at White Sands, where she currently works as a Computer Scientist/Cybersecurity Analyst. Through her job, Alexis is able to stay connected at UTEP and help other students excel in the field of Computer Science. As a proud Miner alum, Alexis is honored to be a part of the UTEP Fan Council and hopes to encourage other students and alumni to attend sporting events, support athletic programs/scholarships, and increase community engagement.




Jorge Reyes [email]
Born and raised in El Paso, Jorge has been attending UTEP football games since the age of two, and is a current season ticket holder. He is a proud graduate of W.H. Burges High School. He received a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science (’09) and a Masters of Public Administration (’12) from The University of Texas at El Paso. Jorge Reyes is currently employed with El Paso County Commissioner Vince Perez’s office as his Public Policy Analyst. Prior to working for Commissioner Perez, Jorge worked with State House Representative Roland Gutierrez (D-119) from San Antonio, Texas, serving as his Legislative Director. Jorge also serves on the El Paso County Risk Pool Board, which is a county board that makes recommendations to Commissioners Court about health benefits for county employees. He feels UTEP is heading in the right direction and can’t wait to help improve the fan experience.  





Jose Reza [email]
Jose Reza attended Bowie High School in El Paso.  He went to UTEP and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering and a Master of Science in Electrical Engineering.  Upon graduation, he started working at White Sands Missile Range for what became part of the Army Research Laboratory.  After working as an electronic warfare engineer for 13 years, he transferred to Ft. Bliss where he worked for the Army Evaluation Center as a battlefield survivability subject matter expert.  Ten years later he returned to the Army Research Laboratory at White Sands to support the Army material testing mission. He retired in 2017 after 33 years of service as a Department of the Army Civilian.  Jose has been a football season ticket holder for about 20 years as well as a supporter of the UTEP basketball teams. 





Okyo Simmons [email]
Okyo was raised in the Sun City and has been a longtime Miner fan.  As a youth, he regularly attended Miner football and basketball games throughout the 80's. He graduated from Parkland High School in 1991. Upon graduating, he joined the US Navy where he served for 27 years.  Having completed numerous deployments, he has rooted for the Miners from literally all over the globe.  Okyo is a graduate of the Navy Senior Enlisted Academy as well as the Navy's Command Leadership School.  His most recent duty station was at the White House, where he served as the Navy Senior Enlisted Leader for the White House Communications Agency.  Now retired, Okyo enjoys spending time with his family and working as a motivational speaker.  His son is a member of the UTEP football team.  Okyo is eagerly looking forward to working as a bridge between his hometown and his home team.





Don Smelser [email]
Don Smelser arrived at UTEP in 1971 after graduating from Milby High School in Houston and being awarded an athletic trainer scholarship.  Smelser worked alongside some of the best student trainers the program has produced while a student trainer, graduate assistant trainer, and acting head trainer at UTEP from 1971-79.  He graduated with a B.S. in Education and an M.Ed. in Health and Physical Education at UTEP and completed a post master’s curriculum at the University of New Mexico in Sports Administration.  His athletic trainer experience included working in the California Angels and Milwaukee Brewers organization with the El Paso Diablos baseball teams followed by becoming the first athletic trainer at Hardin-Simmons University and starting a successful athletic trainer program.  Putting his athletic trainer skills aside, he became a school teacher and eventually a school administrator, retiring as an award- winning elementary principal in EPISD and returning to New Mexico as a teacher and school administrator in Gadsden ISD before retiring as principal at Desert Pride High School.  He is currently enjoying retirement with his wife, Celeste, who holds her bachelor’s and master’s from UTEP.  He also serves on the UTEP Athletics Hall of Fame Selection Committee and has been a season football and basketball season ticket holder for more than 30 years.
 



Nancy Ulrickson Swopes [email]
Nancy Ulrickson Swopes was raised in El Paso, Texas. She graduated from Loretto Academy and earned her Bachelor's of Science in Nursing from UTEP in 2009.  She is currently the Breast Cancer Nurse Navigator for the Hospitals of Providence.  Nancy is married and has two grown daughters, one who earned her Civil Engineering degree from UTEP in 2014 and another who will be graduating from UTEP with her bachelor's in Biochemistry and Kineseiology in December 2019.  Nancy has  been a proud UTEP fan for as long as she can remember, often attending Miner basketball games with her father when she was in elementary school.  Her family attends UTEP football, men's and women's basketball, softball, and volleyball games whenever possible.  They also love to travel out of town to see the Miners play whenever they can.  Mrs. Swopes is extremely honored to be a part of the UTEP fan council.





Joanne Terrazas [email]
Joanne Terrazas is a Senior Vice President and Branch Operations Manager with WestStar Bank.  She was born and raised in El Paso.  She graduated from Austin High School and attended UTEP in the early 80’s before starting her family.  Her oldest daughter is a proud UTEP graduate.  Joanne and her husband have been longtime Miner supporters and season ticket holders in football and basketball.  Joanne is looking forward to working with the fan council to bring ideas and feedback regarding the athletics programs.  






Patrick Torres [email]
Patrick Torres is a lifelong resident of El Paso and a UTEP Miner fan for as long as he can remember.  He started attending games as soon as he received his driver's license.  He is old enough to remember the good old days of the successful 80's but ready to help move UTEP Athletics forward in a new direction. 


Leon Velarde [email]
Leon Velarde was born and raised in El Paso. He graduated from Cathedral High School in 1994 and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and Secondary Education from Regis University in Denver, Colo., while being a member of the Division II baseball team. He is currently employed with McDonald’s Corporation. Leon is a proud single father to his 14-year old daughter, Monserrat Velarde, who will be entering her freshman year at Eastwood High School. A proud UTEP fan for as long as he can remember, he often attended Miner football/ basketball games with his father from a young age, and now often shares the experience with his daughter and friends. He is honored to be selected to the Fan Council.  He feels he can bring the perspective of not only a former college athlete, but a businessman.






Elizabeth Zelenak [email]
Elizabeth Sanchez Zelenak is a proud UTEP Miner! She graduated from Canutillo High School in the Top Ten 10 percent of her class in 1995, raised a son with the help of her family while attending
UTEP and finished her Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies Degree in 2006. Her son, Adrian, is a proud UTEP graduate and is now a passionate Environmental Scientist. Her husband,
Gary, is also a 1993 UTEP graduate from the College of Business. Elizabeth continued her education at Texas Woman’s University while teaching elementary school, and completed her
Master of Library Science Degree in 2017. Elizabeth is now the very proud owner of Chick’nCone, and is looking forward to spreading UTEP pride through her daily interactions with
El Paso customers. Elizabeth and Gary have held season tickets for 20 years, and they look forward to a successful athletic season this year.