Don Haskins Center

I have lived in El Paso for over 11 years and have never attended a UTEP Basketball Game at this venue until recently. Simply put, I am a fan. I appreciate that there are plenty of concessions to serve your needs that take both credit and cash. The prices seemed reasonable for a venue like this. The entire building appeared clean and well maintained. Mostly I enjoyed the seating. Seats were clearly marked with arm rests. Very different from the Miner Football Stadium were you might have to guess where to sit on the bench seating. Lastly, with the numerous displays and quality of the displays, there is no bad seat in the place. Save a few bucks and get the cheaper seats…

It’s ok. Just need to know where to park. N Mesa parking is free but if you go on the University side you must have a permit at certain times.

I had my first visit to the Don Haskins Center last, being in attendance for the Cirque Du Soleil: Varekai. I was sadly dissapointed.
My main gripe was the room inside the seating area. The walkways were cramped, and the seats were very narrow. I was fortunate enough to land an aisle seat for the event, but was extremely irritated because the hand railing for the stair aisle impeded on the seat, significantly reducing the amount of room within the seat (which was narrow enough as it was). Also, the aisles were no lit very well. Don’t get me wrong, they were lit well enough to get down the stairs safely. However you cannot see the row numbers, which are located damn near on the floor. Since the Don Haskins Center is used for a lot more than just B-​Ball, and events like Cirque or a concert require dimmed lighting, it would make sense to position the aisle lights so they not only illuminate the stairs but the row numbers as well. It makes to sense to me anyway.
Food and drinks were overpriced, but I am not surprised (it is a University, after all.) The lines were long, and my Wife and I observed several of the concession workers chitchatting, which helped to prolong wait times for concession. Restroom wait times were insane. I cannot imagine how bad it would get if the house was full, unlike last night where only ¹⁄₃ of the seats were being utilized. Definitely makes me reconsider any future events at this place. I wouldn’t want to attend a sold-​out event, and miss most of the game or performance due to restroom or concession wait times.
The last thing that I noticed was that the Don Haskins Center felt out dated. While the rest of the University is taking steps to become more modern, it feels like the DHC is being left behind. Walking inside, I got the feeling I was sort of stepping back 10 – 15 years in the past. It is a horrible place aesthetically, however they need to make some changes to keep up with the rest of the Campus.
One good thing was the parking. My wife and I were able to find free parking within close walking distant on campus. Also, there is a parking garage right next door if the free parking fills up.
In the future, I probably will not return unless I can get cheap tickets for an event that I would REALLY like to attend. I definitely would not return at a Premium price.

Once upon a time, long long ago, I went to the box office and asked about seating and the response I got is, «there isn’t a bad seat in the Bear’s den» and it’s sooo true! For true Miner-​ball fans, this center is known as the «Bear’s Den» and it does not disappoint! Go for a concert, an opera, a sports event, whatever your fancy may be and know you will have an excellent seat. The arena is like any other you may attend but still within a manageable size that you can’t get lost and you are guaranteed to have a great time. The seats are comfortable, new highlight screens have been put up, which is a double edge sword. The individual player stats have been removed but overall team stats are there now… I kind of liked the individual stats :-(
Concessions are located throughout the place and I would highly recommend you try the kettle corn that is sold at every event! It’s sooo addicting and you really can’t stop eating it, plus free samples are given out to really hook you in for a purchase. You can expect the typical concession sales, with typical concession prices, but there are usually local vendors at the main entrance that will sell you some delicious food for almost the same price as you’d pay at the restaurant. So basically restaurant quality food in an arena…
So grab a ticket, find your seat, pay homage to the Bear and the ONLY Texas University to be NCAA basketball champions, enjoy the show, and if you’re driving to the hoop, you better do it strong because a weak drive won’t fly IN THE BEAR’S DEN!
Go MINERS!
PICKS UP!!!

Don Haskins… where I walked across the stage, where I’ve watched my friends play basketball for UTEP, where I’ve enjoyed a concert, and where I recently watched my cousin walk across the stage. Don Haskins makes a full circle and that’s why it will always be a indispensable part of El Paso and it’s history.
This is a large basketball arena/​event center that can hold around 10,000ish people (I now know this because of the women’s basketball craze that was Kayla that recently happened). Orange seats, narrow walkways between ‘em and overpriced foods. Everything I expect in a college sports center.
I only have three gripes with DH and I think they are all very tangible improvements:
1. It generally feels dirty. Like Chuck E Cheese dirty where you know someone comes and sweeps up after guests have left, but the whole thing could use a scrub down.
2. It can hold 10,000 people, but there isn’t parking for even half of that. On a crazy game night, big graduation, or huge event expect to park blocks away if you don’t arrive at least an hour early.
3. The food is lackluster. Not to say it’s bad… it’s okay. It’s just normal hot dogs and nachos at a ridiculous price. Doesn’t UTEP have a culinary program? At minimum EPCC does. Get those college kids coming up with new menu items that are tasty and cost efficient. That’s real life training, man.
If I could only pick one improvement to take place I would choose number three. So chop, chop UTEP… let’s make DH a 5 star venue!

This place is great for a college arena. Today we broke a previous record and got 10k+ in attendance for the WNIT! We won 70 – 63 against the Washington Huskies
Just remember to leave either before the end of the game or wait well after. Traffics is usually horrible after big games like this.
Food is expensive too so be prepared. ATM’s charge 2 bucks for withdraws

An amazing venue to watch a basketball game. Loved the nachos at the concession stand.