Midweek Update

Well Miner fans, David is trying to slay Goliath. We're in the midst of the battle and things are heating up. One thing I can say is that the Miner Nation hasn't let me down before and I know they won't let me down now. We need to step it up. We need to continue to tell our friends, family, neighbors, compadres, etc. all about our quest to be the best.

At this moment, Pete has 65,499 and the Duck has 65,299. We have been going back and forth ALL night. I love it. I love the competition and I love our diehard attitude. This reminds me of when everyone was naysaying and saying we didn't stand a chance against #12 Houston in 2009. They came into our house, and what did we do? Yep, that's right. We showed them exactly what the Miners are all about.

This drive and passion is the same passion that is fueling our fierce competition between the Duck right now. It doesn't matter what anyone else says about our votes and our fans, what matters is that we know that we're doing our job. The Miner Nation is vast and when a call to arms is put out, we respond! We came here to win. To show that the underdog should NEVER be underestimated!

So, let's hear it Miner fans! Go Miners Go! Fight Miners Fight! Win Miners Win!


Text "PaydirtPete" to 69866
or vote online at capitalonebowl.com

Week 5 Matchup!

Okay Miners, this is where the competition is going to step up another step. Our opponent for this week is that wacky Duck from Oregon. He will go to any length to try and beat our Paydirt Pete. What we need from you is VOTES! If we can keep the pace, we can surely win.

Don't let that sweet face fool you, the Duck, besides Big Blue, is the only other opponent to go 4-0 just like us. You know what that means? We're here to hand him his first loss. We've done it the first 4 weeks, now we have to continue to do it the next 8 weeks! I have faith in my Miner fans!

So how can you help me help Pete? By telling everyone you know about the competition. I don't care if you have to ask to borrow someone's cell phone and vote, just VOTE. Ask your friends, your parents, your enemies, your teachers, your students, anyone who can text or vote online to do so. Let's help get El Paso on the map, right where we should be!!

This week we have an away game so we need that extra push!

Don't Forget to VOTE!!!!Text "PaydirtPete" to 69866
or vote online at capitalonebowl.com

Week 4 Results!

Alright Miners! Another week down, and it looks like we've secured another W for Paydirt Pete. This is where the competition is going to get tough, but I know we can do it. I will do this week's wrap up and then the profile for our competition for Week 5.

Our Record as of Week 4:
Wins: 4
Losses: 0 (goose egg baby!)
Overall votes: 90,708
Place: 3rd


There is an away game this weekend, which means we need a greater amount of votes to come from viral messaging. What this means is we need YOU to tell your friends, enemies, compadres, etc. etc. and let them know what El Paso is trying to accomplish!


And most importantly!
Don't Forget to VOTE!!!!
Text "PaydirtPete" to 69866
or vote online at capitalonebowl.com

Capital One Female Blogger Competition a.k.a. Reppin' Pete!

So here is the jest: The lovely Danielle Smith ran on a contest in connection with Capital One Bowl to bring the Female Blogger Competition. I stumbled upon the competition doing some reconnaissance for Pete. I was sizin' up the competition and trying to figure out what I could do differently to help my favorite mascot.

It is through this that I entered the competition to rep Pete, and to try and gain more votes. Luckily for me, I was picked.

I think something that needs to be taken into consideration when it comes to the Capital One Bowl Challenge, is that this will help garner some much needed national exposure for not only Paydirt Pete but subsequently UTEP. As a current student of UTEP, I could go on and on with the ways this will benefit UTEP, but I won't. I will stop here and simply say....

HELP ME HELP PETE!
Don't Forget to VOTE!!!!
Text "PaydirtPete" to 69866
or vote online at capitalonebowl.com

Week 3 Results!

Miners! Good job! We did it. We beat The Bird from USAFA. Last I checked on Sunday night we were up by 6,000 votes. The age old question of which is better, repel or parachute, has been answered. The winner is clearly repelling as witnessed by Paydirt Pete's victory.

Our win brings us to 3-0 in the competition! We have jumped up a spot and are now 4th place! This is great! Good job Miners! Now, we just need to boost up those vote numbers! I have faith that we can do it though.

Our Record as of Week 3:
Wins: 3
Losses: 0 (goose egg baby!)
Overall votes: 76,532
Place: 4th

ODU is a beast. They have over 300,000 overall votes. I know some of you are worried, but I just want to remind you that UTEP has overcome worse odds. For example, last year's football game versus Houston. Rushing the field? Ring a bell?

We're still in it Miners! Let's keep those votes coming!

Don't forget to get your tickets to this week's home game versus Memphis.

And most importantly!
Don't Forget to VOTE!!!!
Text "PaydirtPete" to 69866
or vote online at capitalonebowl.com

An update to the Capital One Mascot Challenge..

The night before last, I was trying to fall asleep and to help relax me, I began to vote for Paydirt Pete through text messages. I can get a good amount in, in a short amount of time. Before I even knew it, I had received a message out of the norm that said:

I'm sorry, you have exceeded the amount of votes allowed in a 24 hour period. Try again tomorrow

My interest was piqued because as many times as I have voted, I have never received that message and I've voted a lot. That had me wondering what exactly the limit was? Why was the limit imposed? This morning, I was going through my twitter feed at http://www.twitter.com/utepminermaniac and I read @CapitalOneBowl's tweet that helped clarify:

Hey mascot fans! To keep a level playing field text voting is now limited to 250 votes/hr. May the best beast win! http://bit.ly/csHuyW

I really think that is a great addition to help level the playing field. It will make the mascots and their respective schools get the word out and become more creative to get the votes.

Now, the only other thing is that the tweet suggests the limit is for an hour period, whereas the text message I received suggests it is within a 24 hour period.  Not to worry, I am already testing out both to try and get to the truth. I will come with my update of which of these is true.

As always Miners,
Remember to vote!
Text "PaydirtPete" to 69866
or vote online at capitalonebowl.com

Another Matchup!

Battle of I-10 is here! Aggies vs. Miners. Pistol vs. Paydirt. Who will come out the victor? Well, we all know the answer to that. Miners of course!

Just as this tradition continues, so does the tradition of the Battle of I-10 Blood Drive. The United Blood Services are at each campus in their bloodmobile waiting for donors.


Even though we BLEED ORANGE, the UBS is more than happy to take our blood.

As of right now, UTEP is trailing NMSU in the challenge! Let's step up our game and get out there and donate!

THURSDAY AND FRIDAY
UGLC & UNION Parking Lots from 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.

AND

Union East from
10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.

While you're doing that good deed, why not vote for Paydirt Pete to kill sometime?
Text "PaydirtPete" to 69866
or vote online at capitalonebowl.com

Week 3 Mascot Challenge!

Miners! It is that time again! It is time to size up our opponent for this weeks Mascot Matchup.


Looks like we are taking on Air Force's The Bird. Sure he does some cool tricks like parachuting down to the field, but can he rappel with the best of them? The best being Paydirt Pete during basketball season of course!


Last week The Bird went up against ODU's Big Blue and was taken out early in the game. Let's make that sure there is a repeat this week!!!

Also, Miner fans, don't forget this Saturday we play NMSU @ Sun Bowl Stadium. The Battle of I-10 is here! What better way to show our Miner Mania than by voting for Paydirt Pete! Make sure to get your tickets early, this is sure to be a sellout!

Remember to vote!!!!
Text "PaydirtPete" to 69866
or vote online at capitalonebowl.com

Week 1 and Week 2 Results!

Miners!!! Way to go! Not only did we beat last year's champion, the Bearcat from Cincinnati, but we also took down Goldy the Gopher from Minnesota!


It seems as though everyone was doubting our ability to take on last year's champ and bring him down. They must not have been there when we beat No. 12 Houston last year at the Sun Bowl. The Bearcat was a formidable opponent, but he was no match for our Miners!

Our record as of week 1:
Wins: 1
Losses: 0
Place: 2nd



Don't let that sweet face fool you! Goldy the Gopher was a tough one, but at the end our Miners pulled Paydirt Pete through to another victory. We showed our Miner Pride even though our Miners were out of town and we didn't get the friendly reminder on the jumbotron! Don't forget Miners! Next week we take on our rivals NMSU @ the Sun Bowl!!!

Our record as of week 2:
Wins: 2
Losses: 0
Overall votes: 55,189
Place: 5th

Remember Miners! It isn't just wins that matter! It is our overall votes! Keep voting!

Text "PaydirtPete" to 69866
or vote online at capitalonebowl.com

Capital One Bowl Mascot Challenge!

Okay Miners, here is the deal. Paydirt Pete was selected as on of the 16 mascots in this years Capital One Bowl Mascot Challenge. So, what you say? Well, on our quest to become a Tier 1 school, this is huge! This is an opportunity to show people that even though we are hundreds of miles away from UT Austin, Texas A&M, etc. that we still have that Texas spirit.

Here is what you need to know about the Mascot Challenge:

• Each week, Paydirt Pete will be taking on a new opponent. This is for the entire 12 weeks of the NCAA College Football season
• In order to win, we need to text our vote 'PaydirtPete" to 69866 as much as humanly possible EACH WEEK.
• If you don't feel comfortable texting you can vote online at capitalonebowl.com
• Votes are UNLIMITED so vote as often as you can!
• It isn't based on just wins/losses. It is based on total number of votes. We need to be in the Top 8 by week 12 in order to advance to the finals.
• If we win, the Mascot program and UTEP will receive $15,000!

So, now you know what the Mascot Challenge is about, VOTE! Do it while you're waiting for your children outside of school, waiting for your order of green chicken enchiladas at L&J, waiting for the shuttle to campus, or when you're waiting for class to start.

TEXT "Paydirt Pete" to 69866

or vote online at capitalonebowl.com

See you soon Miners!

-Jackie