UTEP Coach Golding Gifts 30 Families Tickets for Sunday's Game

Earlier this week, UTEP athletics unveiled plans for a "super bowl" discount on tickets as the Miners men's basketball team hosts Marshall on Sunday afternoon at 1 p.m. The special allows fans to buy a four-pack of tickets for just $30 in select areas at the Haskins Center.

On Wednesday evening, first-year head coach Joe Golding surprised fans with a gift to 30 lucky families.

The free tickets were claimed instantly by Miner fans. UTEP (14-9, 7-4 C-USA) has won six of its last seven games. They are looking to bounce back after falling to North Texas on Monday, which is the top team in C-USA.

"First of all, very appreciative of the fan base and everything they've done this year," said Joe Golding on his radio show Wednesday. "[My wife] Amanda and I wanted to do something to give back to the community. This community has been unbelievable to my family. They've taken us in from day one. They've been great to my wife and my kids. We feel like El Paso is now home for us and we wanted to give back to the city. We felt no better way would be to buy 30 four-packs and let 30 families come to the game for free."

The Miners versus Thundering Herd tips off well ahead of the 4:30 p.m. start of the Super Bowl. Golding encourages fans to plan their day ahead at the Haskins Center and assures people that they will be home in time for the big game.

"The Super Bowl doesn't start till the halftime show and the third and fourth quarter," Golding joked. "The first and second quarter are boring anyways. It's all going to go down to the fourth quarter with Joe Burrow and the quarterback from the Rams. One of them is going to have the ball late so you'll get home in time."

As far as the day itself, Golding thinks this is a significant matchup for the Miners to try and get another win under their belt.

"Sunday is a big day, some might say it's the biggest day of the year because of the Super Bowl," Golding said. "We like to say, it's Marshall versus UTEP and it's the biggest game on our schedule because it's the next game on the schedule. We lost to North Texas and we need a bounce-back win before the Super Bowl."

If you're wondering whether or not Golding will watch the Rams versus Bengals game after the game, it depends, according to Golding.

"If we beat Marshall, I'll watch it—some of it," he said. "If we lose, I'll be in my office."

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