‘Seats For Soldiers’ Recognizes Military Members on Saturday

Saturday's "Military Night" themed game for UTEP-UAB will showcase different static displays around the Sun Bowl and will feature an enlistment ceremony at halftime. There will be postgame fireworks courtesy of Speaking Rock Entertainment Center, and there's a smart incentive for Miner fans to give back to veterans and members of the military.

Fans that don't plan to go to Saturday's game can donate their tickets to a military family in UTEP's special "Seats For Soldiers" program. They may also donate $10 and tickets will be distributed to military members. 

To do so, you can visit www.utepathletics.com/military.

Mark McDonald, a former UTEP football player from 1970-71 donated his tickets on the 50 yard line for Saturday's game and was highlighted by the program for his generosity. 

“I don’t see how I can possibly begin to thank our servicemen and women for everything that they do for us,” McDonald said. “Maybe, just maybe, this is a little token of appreciation. I’d like to thank them for everything that they do for us civilians. They could do my job, but I couldn’t do their job.”

“Fort Bliss is right there and they’ve been good neighbors to the university for years and years,” he said. “I know that local Miner fans can’t come every week either. It’s impossible. But to make the tickets available to servicemen and women is a way of bringing the university community and the military community closer. And I think that’s important, not only for UTEP but for the city of El Paso.”

Kickoff between UTEP and UAB is slated for 5:30 p.m. MT.