UTEP has finished in the top three at the conference championship three of the last four years under the direction of head coach Rick Todd. The Miners notched a runner-up showing in 2002, and took third place in 2003 and 2004.

With Todd at the helm of the program, UTEP continues to inch closer to returning to the NCAA Championships. The Miners were 11th at the 2003 NCAA West Regional, just one stroke shy of qualifying. UTEP was 20th at the 2004 West Regional.

The Miners last made an NCAA team appearance in 1995. UTEP has enjoyed a storied history in men's golf, ranking among the nation's top 20 schools every year from 1987-91. The Miners were national runners-up in 1988.

As a UTEP player from 1982-86, Todd played a critical role in the team's success. He was the first Miner to earn All-American honors in 1984.

Now in his seventh year as head coach, he is dedicated to getting UTEP golf back where it belongs - among the nation's elite teams.

Todd coached a young team during the 2004-05 campaign, with no seniors at his disposal. Still, the Miners won the Wyoming Cowboy Classic in Scottsdale, Ariz. -- UTEP's third tournament title under Todd. He has another youthful squad in 2005-06, with three sophomores and four freshmen.

The 2003-04 Miners were led by All-American Chris Baryla, who fashioned a 70.6 stroke average and participated in the NCAA Championships as an individual. Baryla was tabbed the WAC Freshman of the Year and notched his fourth career individual title at the Barona Collegiate Cup. He closed out his career as a three-time first team All-WAC pick.

UTEP recorded second-place showings at three tournaments (Barona Collegiate Cup, Steve Kerr Invitational, PING Cougar Classic) in 2004.

UTEP finished in the top three at seven tournaments during the 2002-03 season. The Miners won the Falcon-Antigua Invitational in Colorado Springs during the fall. Two Miners won tournaments over the course of the year. Dan Swanson presided over the field of the Falcon-Antigua Invitational in September, and Baryla finished first at back-to-back competitions in February (PING Arizona Intercollegiate, Anteater Invitational). Nathan Fritz took second at the Rocky Mountain Intercollegiate in October.

Baryla, Fritz and Swanson have each won tournaments under Todd's direction. Baryla and Swanson were chosen PING All-Americans at the conclusion of the 2002-03 campaign.

The Miners took second at the 2002 WAC Championships, their best showing at the conference tournament in nine years. Three UTEP players finished in the top 10 of the individual standings (Baryla, Fritz and Drew Hawley).

Todd was named WAC Coach of the Year following the 2000-01 season after directing UTEP to a fourth-place showing at the conference championship.

Todd's first Miner team tied for 19th place at the NCAA West Regional.

Todd claimed second team All-America honors as a senior in 1986, and third team as a junior. He was an honorable mention All-America choice as a sophomore.

A four-time first team All-WAC selection, Todd had a 74.1 stroke average during his collegiate career, including a low of 73.1 during the 1983-84 season - his second year in the Miner orange and blue. He won four tournaments at UTEP - the Stanford Fall Invitational and New Mexico State Invitational in 1984, and the Arizona-Michelob Invitational and UCLA-Bill Bryant Invitational in 1986. Todd shattered Tom Watson/s tournament record score at the Stanford Fall Invitational. He was elected to the El Paso Golf Hall of Fame in 1984. Todd enjoyed 10 top-three finishes during his UTEP career, and 20 top-10 showings.

A native of Toronto, Canada, Todd parlayed his exceptional college career into a stint on the professional circuit. He participated in the U.S. Open in 1998, and the British Open in 1996. He is a former Canadian Tour, Asian Tour, Nike Tour and Ben Hogan Tour member. Todd won the Payless Victoria Open tournament in 1997, and the Ben Hogan Dakota Dunes Open in 1991. He was a member of Canada/s World Cup and Dunhill Cup teams in 1996.

Todd earned his bachelor of business administration degree in marketing from UTEP in 1986. He was born on Oct. 3, 1962. Todd and his wife, Darci, have an eight year-old daughter, Shelbi.