There's plenty going on around the Miner Nation, and as the news comes in, we'll continue to report it. Here's mini dig number 3 for summer 2011.
UTEP Football Lands Transfer -
According to University of Minnesota Blog site gopherhole.com, redshirt freshman Josh Tauaefa will be transferring to UTEP. The 6'2 290lb defensive lineman will now be playing alongside his brother, Isaac. Last year, as a sophomore, Isaac started five games for the Miners before suffering a season ending knee injury. Josh should still have four years of eligibility remaining, and should be able to jump right in this year. More on this in the coming days.
Randy Culpepper Signs Contract -
Former UTEP basketball player Randy Culpepper has signed what is said to be a six figure, 10 month deal with Ferro-ZNTU. Ferro is a team in the Ukrainian Super League. Culpepper will be leaving in early August for preseason play which starts August 16th. Along with the deal, Culpepper will receive an apartment, a car, and meals while he is in the Ukraine.
Julyan Stone Closes in on Deal -
Former Miner PG Julyan Stone has recently worked out for the Miami Heat, and is currently working out for the Phoenix Suns. Stone will continue to work out for teams, and hopes to have a deal in place by Thursday, the day when the NBA is expected to begin its lockout.
UPDATE- Julyan Stone did not reach an agreement with any NBA before the start of its lockout, but is content in waiting things out. Stone claims that he does have "guaranteed deals" from three teams (one on east coast, one in the south, and one on west coast), but was unable to sign a contract before the lockout began. He toyed with the idea of going to Europe for a couple of months, but says he would just rather wait things out here.
UTEP Senior Associate AD Now Headman at UC-Riverside -
UTEP Senior associate AD, Bryan Wickstrom, was named the new directory of intercollegiate athletics at the University of California at Riverside. Wickstrom had been here at UTEP for the past five years, and held similar positions at the University of Michigan, the University of Missouri, Santa Clara, and Ohio University. He now takes over an UCR's athletics which participate in 17 sports at the D-1 level, and has an annual budget of $9 million.
Coach Floyd Talks UTEP Basketball -
Here's a nice video located at the UTEP athletics website where coach Floyd speaks of each individual newcomer to the 2011-2012 team. Take a second to check it out here.