Juan Turrubiates joined UTEP Athletics and the Taymar Sales U team as Manager of Ticket Sales and Operations in February of 2026.
Turrubiates hails from Los Fresnos, Texas, situated in the lower Rio Grande Valley where he proudly served as Ticketing Manager for the Rio Grande Valley Vipers (NBA G League affiliate of the Houston Rockets) and former USL Championship soccer club, Rio Grande Valley FC simultaneously during his six-year tenure (2018-24). He was part of the staff during the 2019 and 2022 NBA G League Championship seasons, earning two rings with the organization.
He originally joined the dual organizations under same ownership as an intern of communications and media relations in October of 2018 while pursuing a career in sports media. He later transitioned in early 2019 to the ticketing operations side full time under the direction of former Director of Ticketing, now President of Golden Grape Entertainment Hondo Candelaria who recruited him to the position after discovering his ability to communicate effectively and provide leadership.
As an undergrad he attended Texas A&M – Kingsville, where he kick started his career in sports as a student worker in the athletic department under the Associate Athletic Director for External Advancement and also in the Sports Information office. While enrolled, he completed two internships with the Corpus Christi Hooks, the AA affiliate of the Houston Astros, working as a gameday ballpark entertainment team member.
