Miners Primary Logo

The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) Miners have a long and proud history, and their primary logo is no exception. The UTEP Miners have been using the same primary logo since its inception in 1914. This iconic symbol has become synonymous with the university’s athletics program, representing strength, determination, and pride for generations of students.

The original design was created by artist Kenneth Biddlecombe in 1914 as part of a larger mural project commissioned by then-university president Joseph Rayzor. The image featured two crossed pickaxes with an orange star on top—a nod to the school's colors at that time—surrounded by flames to represent hard work and perseverance under any circumstance. Over time this design evolved into what we now recognize as “the Miner” – one pickaxe replaced by a helmeted miner figure carrying another pickaxe over his shoulder while wearing overalls emblazoned with “UTEP” across them — all set against an orange background featuring black stripes radiating from both sides of the center point where he stands tall atop his tools.

Since its introduction more than 100 years ago, "the Miner" has remained largely unchanged except for some slight modifications here or there - such as when it was updated in 2006 to reflect modern standards for collegiate logos. Today, "the Miner" continues to serve proudly not only as UTEP's official athletic emblem but also serves as an inspirational beacon that encourages current students towards greatness just like so many who came before they did.