UTEP To Allow Fans for Men’s Basketball Games This Weekend

[MistaBinks]

A limited number of fans will be permitted in the Don Haskins Center for this weekend’s UTEP men’s basketball games versus Rice. The Miners will host the Owls on Friday and Saturday (Jan. 8-9), with both matchups beginning at 7 p.m.

"We're excited to welcome fans back to the Haskins Center as we tip off the home portion of our Conference USA schedule against a long-time Texas rival," UTEP Director of Athletics Jim Senter said. "Remember, Miners Take Care of Miners. Don't come to the game if you're feeling sick, and be sure to follow all the CDC recommended guidelines -- social distance, wash your hands frequently, and wear a mask. At the same time, we will do everything possible to provide a safe environment for our fans to enjoy the games."

Capacity for this weekend's games is expected to be between 7-10% and follows Conference USA COVID-19 guidelines. As announced previously, the 2020-21 men’s basketball season is sold out through season tickets and no additional single game tickets are available for purchase. All tickets and parking passes for the 2020-21 season will be managed digitally and can be accessed by visiting UTEPMiners.com/Tickets. Season ticket holders who have questions about their tickets or parking passes should call the Eisenberg Family Ticket Office at (915) 747-UTEP or email tickets@utep.edu. As a reminder, all seats are reserved and fans must remain in their assigned seats.

Friday's game will be streamed on C-USA TV, accessible via www.utepminers.com. Saturday's game will be streamed on ESPN+. Both games can be heard on the Miners' radio flagship, 600 ESPN El Paso. Both games are presented by Las Palmas.

Fans are asked to follow CDC guidelines and UTEP protocols, which include:

Stay home when you are sick
Avoid close contact with people who are sick
Wear a face covering
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth
Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash immediately after use
Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the restroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty

UTEP students, faculty and staff who plan to attend the game are encouraged to take advantage of UTEP's proactive testing program and obtain a negative result before coming to the venue. For more information, visit https://www.utep.edu/resuming-campus-operations/testing/.

Parking lots will open two hours prior to tipoff. Gates will open 90 minutes prior to tipoff to assist with fan entry and social distancing.

All fans should enter the arena through the upper concourse; the tunnel entrance is not open to the general public. Fans will be social distanced and will get their temperature taken before entering the venue. Anyone with a temperature of 100 degrees Fahrenheit or more will be asked to leave. Fans should wear face masks when queuing in line and throughout their time in the Haskins Center, except when eating or drinking.

A clear bag policy is in place and will be enforced. For more information, visit www.utepminers.com/clearbagpolicy.

Once inside the arena, fans are expected to continue practicing social distancing, whether seated or traversing the arena. No aisle seats have been sold to provide additional distancing between fans, especially for the purpose of movement. Restrooms will have limited capacities, and queuing will be observed at all restrooms and concession stands. Sanitization stations will be available throughout the arena. Water fountains will not be available this season, but fans can bring one sealed water bottle into the facility.

Arena security and ushers will monitor the stands and other fan areas to ensure fans remain in the seats they purchased and abide by all arena rules and regulations.

For a full list of UTEP Basketball COVID-19 protocols, visit www.utepminers.com/bbfanprotocols.

Fan attendance for future UTEP men’s and women’s basketball games will be determined on a week-to-week basis.

 

[JCorona]

Senter must feal the heat of needing a sweep.

 

[Cube Jack]

A few differences. Limited concessions. No general admission. No water Fountains. No floor seats. No floor promotions. No band. No DJ

 

[unihorn]

Anyone have any luck walking down and getting tickets last night?

 

[utep2step]

Senter must feal the heat of needing a sweep.

Every year. Boosters tell incoming new coaches, staff and I'm sure Senter, "We don't lose to Rice (in basketball)". I forgot what then new coach said that? I think it was Billy?

 

[Cube Jack]

Anyone have any luck walking down and getting tickets last night?

Walk up tickets aren't available unfortunately. We did have one guy in the student section!

 

[topminer]

Most people in attendance have been very conscientious of our current pandemic and the need to physically distance. With that noted, however, Friday night a very young couple who had food and drinks (and not wearing face masks after they sat down) moved down and sat next to my wife and me in the same row, a few seats away from us. I quietly walked up to security and asked them to check their tickets. Of course, they were not assigned those seats, and they reluctantly (after throwing a fit) moved back one row, still very close to where we were sitting. On Saturday we were sitting quite close to two groups who came in with face masks, but did not wear their face masks the whole game, as they pretended to be eating and drinking beer the whole game.

Part of it was just our bad luck, as throughout the Don most individuals seemed to be very conscientious of others around them. Most people were very well spread out and wore their face masks the whole game.

First of all, there should not be food and drink concession sales, as eating and drinking provide an opportunity to ignore the safety of others.

As a consequence, and partly due to our vantage point in Row 13 (which seems to invite others to move down near us, away from their assigned seats, to be closer to the floor), we are deliberating whether to attend again.

 

[unihorn]

I’ve said this before, but it was dumb to try to flip the olds to e-tickets. I know several who just opted out.

Just send them an invoice and their paper tickets, and make new ticket holders go electronic. The olds view it as a donation anyway.

Revenue has got to be wayyyy down.

 

[topminer]

Indeed, revenue must be way down--thus the temptation to add some revenue through concession sales. However, as I mentioned, this puts those of us who have not qualified to receive the vaccine at risk. Some who buy food and drink use it as an excuse to not wear their face masks throughout the whole game. That is potentially two+ hours of super spreading due to their ignorance and callousness.

 

[MistaBinks]

Media Release received by email:

A limited number of fans will be permitted in the Don Haskins Center for UTEP basketball games until further notice, beginning with this weekend's women’s matchups versus North Texas. The Miners will host the Mean Green on Friday and Saturday (Jan. 15-16).

“Miner Nation did a great job this past weekend for the men’s games and we feel confident that fans will continue to be mindful of the protocols and act with diligence and care during future contests,” UTEP Director of Athletics Jim Senter said. “Our Special Events and game day staff have also done a tremendous job of fostering a safe and welcoming environment. At the same time, we have to remain vigilant in following the CDC guidelines and being respectful of our fellow Miners – we have to take care of each other. Picks up and masks up!”
Fans are reminded that masks/face coverings are required while in the Haskins Center and on the UTEP campus. Additional COVID-19 protocols for basketball can be found at www.utepminers.com/bbfanprotocols. All fans are highly encouraged to read and be aware of these policies to ensure a safe and enjoyable game day experience.

Conference USA COVID-19 guidelines only allow for a maximum of 15% capacity for attendance. As a result, the 2020-21 men's basketball season is sold out through season tickets and no additional single-game tickets are available for purchase.