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Mountain Bound: AD Jim Senter prepares for UTEP’s next chapter in the Mountain West Conference
By Gabrielle Lopez at KVIA ABC-7
· June 23, 2026
· 1 min read
EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) -- On July 1, the two-year wait will finally be over for the UTEP Miners as they embark on a new era with the Mountain West Conference. For Athletic Director Jim Senter, it's been quite the journey.
When he took the job at UTEP in 2017, fans were hopeful he would be the o...
Key takeaway For Athletic Director Jim Senter, it's been quite the journey.
Why this matters in The El Paso
As UTEP prepares to join the Mountain West Conference, the stakes are high for the local community. The move is expected to bring new opportunities for the university's athletic programs, but it also requires increased support from fans and donors. The success of the Miners in their new conference will depend on the ability of Athletic Director Jim Senter and his team to rally the community behind the team. The Climb Higher Initiative has already shown promise, with donors contributing $12 million last year to cover exit fees and make improvements to the Sun Bowl Stadium. Now, fans will have the chance to support the team through subscriptions to Mountain West Plus, with UTEP receiving a cut of the revenue. The potential for increased revenue and exposure could have a positive impact on the local economy, making the Miners' success a matter of interest for the entire El Paso community.
About this story
Original reporting by KVIA ABC-7 . The El Paso surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KVIA ABC-7 . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: June 23, 2026 ·
Source: KVIA ABC-7 ·
Reading time: 1 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) -- On July 1, the two-year wait will finally be over for the UTEP Miners as they embark on a new era with the Mountain West Conference. For Athletic Director Jim Senter, it's been quite the journey.
When he took the job at UTEP in 2017, fans were hopeful he would be the o...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 23, 2026 by KVIA ABC-7 and curated for The El Paso readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Gabrielle Lopez at KVIA ABC-7. To learn more about how The El Paso selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The El Paso, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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