UTEP Miners

UTEP Athletics’ mission is to “provide and empower student-athletes with the opportunity to achieve their academic and athletic goals, while preparing them for a successful life.”

 

Industry

Alumni Engagement 

Fan Engagement

High Ed Development

 

Founded

El Paso, TX, 1914

 

Customer Case Study

UTEP Miners

What is UTEP Athletics?

The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) Athletics represents the proud sports program of the university, known as the UTEP Miners. UTEP Athletics is dedicated to providing exceptional athletic opportunities for student-athletes while fostering a strong sense of school spirit and community support. With a diverse range of sports teams, UTEP Athletics aims to create a thrilling and memorable experience for fans and supporters alike.

What problem were you facing?

UTEP Athletics faced challenges in fan engagement and fundraising for in-person events. These challenges included low registrations for fundraisers, difficulty in increasing event attendance, and ineffective communication with fans during games. Traditional outreach methods were not yielding desired results, resulting in reduced interest and limited participation. UTEP sought a solution for seamless communication during game days to provide real-time updates and event details to enhance the fan experience.

What is their solution?

UTEP Athletics utilized Stakd Messenger to enhance fan engagement and fundraising. They sent personalized text message reminders for in-person fundraisers, significantly improving event attendance. Additionally, they used Stakd Messenger for real-time communication during games, keeping fans connected and engaged with updates and scores.

What are the results they are seeing?
The impact of Stakd Messenger on UTEP Athletics has been remarkable. Notably, during a recent Gala event in April 2023, UTEP witnessed a substantial increase in proceeds compared to the same event held the previous year. Thanks to the implementation of text message reminders for in-person fundraisers, UTEP managed to raise an impressive $200,000 more, showcasing the effectiveness of the Stakd Messenger strategy.

Surprising use case: 

UTEP encountered a challenging situation during a sellout game at the iconic Sun Bowl – a rain delay. Using Stakd Messenger, UTEP communicated promptly with fans, directing them to appropriate sheltered areas and keeping them informed about the status of the game. This quick and effective communication demonstrated the platform’s value in ensuring a positive fan experience, even amidst unforeseen circumstances.

One specific instance of this success was when the TAF shared their strategy with the ticketing department to engage season ticket holders. By using SMS and MMS to inform these ticket holders about the renewal process, they saw a 10% increase in renewals. Showing them the power of using these channels for timely and personalized communication.

Overall, the integration of Stakd has proven to be a valuable asset for the Foundation and other departments, improving communication and increasing engagement. 

How has their experience with Stakd changed their strategy?

The successful implementation of Stakd Messenger has transformed UTEP Athletics’ approach to fan engagement and fundraising. Based on the positive outcomes observed, UTEP plans to integrate Stakd Messenger as part of a broader donor engagement strategy, encompassing in-person fundraising events, social media, and text messaging. This multi-channel approach aims to reach fans at various touchpoints, ensuring a consistent and comprehensive fan experience, and fostering deeper connections with supporters, setting the stage for even more prosperous years ahead.