El Paso's largest indoor venue is getting a new name after the largest contribution in the history of UTEP Athletics: GECU Arena at the Don Haskins Center.
The name revision marks the first name change to the 49-year-old facility since the Special Events Center was rechristened the Don Haskins Center in 1998, and it follows a $29.1 million donation from GECU. This came six weeks after they became UTEP's first jersey patch sponsor.
The money will go to "a wide variety of projects designed to improve the community and fan experience and maintain the facility,” per athletic director Jim Senter.
The Haskins Center hosts UTEP basketball games, concerts, and many high
school and UTEP graduation ceremonies and is named after the legendary UTEP basketball coach.
GECU president and CEO Alex Rascón said keeping Haskins' name on the venue was paramount.
“Our new collaboration with UTEP is about honoring the past while investing in the future," Rascón, GECU said. “For more than five decades, GECU Arena at the Don Haskins Center has been a place where our community comes together to celebrate, make history, create memories and support one another. We are proud to stand alongside UTEP in preserving Coach Haskins' legacy while helping ensure this iconic venue continues serving our region for generations to come.”
The facility seats 11,892 for basketball and more for concerts.
UTEP president Heather Wilson highlighted the facility's role in El Paso.
“From graduations to iconic concerts to epic sports rivalries, almost every family in El Paso has a special memory at the GECU Arena at the Don Haskins Center,” said Wilson. “We are grateful and honored GECU is partnering with us to enhance such an important community resource and for their support of our student-athletes.”
The naming of GECU Arena at the Don Haskins Center is set for the next 15 years.
Bret Bloomquist can be reached at bbloomquist@elpasotimes.com; @Bretbloomquist on X.
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: UTEP's Don Haskins Center gets new name after $29.1M GECU gift
