Texas Tech University - La Ventana Yearbook (Lubbock, TX)

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Spirit of Tech N treamers. Saddle Tramps, Goin Band and the vibrant cheers from the stands constitute only a small body of spirit that the pride of Texas Tech possesses. What is it that makes Tech fans so spirited? Have you ever been at a football game when it was snowing and the team was losing, and you were asking yourself. What am 1 doing here? When asking Texas Tech students Just what it was that keeps them going to games, responses were ad- mirable. For example, RobCanneville, a junior from Austin, explained that he religiously attends the football games, come rain or shine because, 1 love the sport, and it ' s also a very big social event. But why is it that some students show their spirit by painting their A proud parent holds this sign during the Tech vs. Arkansas game. (Photo by Sam IVlartinez) faces red and black? Chris Young, a Junior from Muleshoe said that he would do it to be different. Along with the cheerleaders, there are the Saddle Tramps who promote school spirit. Nelson Balido, a senior from San Antonio explains, It ' s our Job to make sure we keep everyone excited and hopeful about all the sports. Having spirit in your school is a sense of pride and of accomplishment. Everyone loves to brag about their team and that in itself will always be alive. by Melanie Van Orden Ralynn Key and Midnight Raider pause between touchdowns. (Photo by Sam Martinez) 20 - Spirit of Tech

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Raider Red Turns 20 He Raider Red in 1972, looking a little different but still wearing red and black and keeping his guns up, (Phioto by Darrel Thomas) e ' sred. He ' s black. He ' s 20. He ' s Yosemite Sam. Not!! He ' s Raider Red, the gun-sllng- ing, pot-bellied mascot of the Red Raid- ers and believe it or not, he has not always been at Tech. It wasn ' t until 1970 that Tech began looking for a mascot, other than the Masked Rider, to represent the univer- sity at out of town games. Several South- west Conference schools complained that the Masked Rider ' s hooves had caused damage to football fields and asked that the horse not be allowed to attend away games unless invited. A mascot that could attend these games would have to be found. Jim Gaspard, a member of the 1970 Saddle Tramp pledge class, was the one who initially pulled Dirk West ' s Raider Red cartoon off the newspaper page and began working on a costume. By using chicken wire and papier- mache, Gaspard created the head and added the red mustache and hair. A theater department volunteer made the padded costume. Raider Red ' s boots came from the Salvation Army. Put them all to- gether and a tra- dition was bom. For his 20th birthday. Raider Red received a new costume so he could con- tinue his reign as Tech ' s favorite red-headed cow- boy for another 20 years. by Jori Bratton Designed by Amy Komatz Raider Red - 19

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fc] 1 ■ p 1 ! B v iVv ' A. Si K c ■ Holding his flags high in a game. Roof Raider stands throughout Tech ' s home football contests. (Photo by Bob Berlin) Fans Get their guns up during a winning game. (Photo by Walter Gronberry) Saddle Tramps Craig Wright and Stefan Dorman shoe polish Tech buses before a gome. (Photo by Sam Martinez) Designed by Amy Komatz Spirit of Tech - 21