UTEP Miners

Coach Crystal Ortiz is an El Paso native who started dancing at the age of eight.  She grew up dancing, competing, and traveling all over the USA.  She traveled to many pro dance camps, where she trained with NBA and NFL choreographers.  Networking at these camps, she was chosen as a dancer for Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve Party.  She was also an El Paso Patriot Cheerleader for five years, serving as captain and choreographer.  Coach Ortiz has also choreographed many big events including Sun Bowl halftime shows, Texas vs. the Nation All-Star Game halftime, ELP Senior All-Star Games, and UTEP Spirit Nights.

She graduated from Silva Magnet High School in 2001 and wanted to further her education at UTEP.  While a Miner, she joined the UTEP Golddiggers dance team from 2002-05.  Coach Ortiz received her BFA in Dance Performance from UTEP with a minor in Secondary Education in 2009.  After receiving her degree, she became the Parkland High School dance coach for 15 years.  Ortiz came home to UTEP in August of 2025 as the dance team head coach.

She grew up attending UTEP football and basketball games with her family, as her parents were long time season ticket holders.  There is a brick with her parents' names located in the North end of the Sun Bowl, as they donated to help the construction of the new additions to the stadium.

Coach Ortiz and her husband, Angel, are proud parents to their two kids, Trinity and Orion.  They are both UTEP alumni and have been thrilled to share their UTEP pride with their kids.

She feels blessed and honored to be back home at UTEP and is ready to cultivate spirit and pride on the UTEP campus and around the El Paso community.