Raider Red

Raider Red
Raider Red logo used by Red Raider Outfitter
University Texas Tech University
Conference Big 12
Description Costume
Origin of name Variation of team name, Red Raiders
First seen 1971
Related mascot(s) The Masked Rider
Official website Raider Red

Raider Red is one of the mascots of Texas Tech University. The main mascot is The Masked Rider who rides a live horse. Raider Red is used at events where The Masked Rider is not allowed or would not be appropriate.

Around the 1971 football season, the Southwest Conference created a rule forbidding the bringing of live animal mascots to away games unless the host school permitted it.[1] Since the Masked Rider's horse might have been prohibited from attending some games under this rule, Raider Red was created as an alternate mascot. Texas Tech now plays in the Big 12 Conference, but the tradition of having both mascots continues.

Jim Gaspard, a member of the Texas Tech Saddle Tramps student spirit organization, created the original design for the Raider Red costume based on a character created by Lubbock, Texas, cartoonist and former mayor Dirk West.[2] Raider Red is a Wild West character with an over-sized cowboy hat. He carries two guns which he fires into the air after Texas Tech scores.[3]

The student serving as Raider Red is a member of the Saddle Tramps or High Riders.[4] Although The Masked Rider's identity is public knowledge, Raider Red's identity is normally kept secret until the end of his or her tenure as mascot. On March 15, 2007, it was revealed that, for the first time, two different people (one man and one woman) served as Raider Red during the same period of time.[5]

Notes and references

  1. ^ "History & Traditions - Raider Red". Texas Tech University - Campus Information. http://www.ttu.edu/traditions/raiderred.php. Retrieved November 23, 2008. 
  2. ^ Garcia, Leslie (November 7, 2008). "Creator of Texas Tech's mascot tells the story behind Raider Red". The Dallas Morning News. http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/yahoolatestnews/stories/DN-mascot_1108gd.State.Edition1.10e3f0d.html?npc. 
  3. ^ Davis, Brian (November 1, 2002). "Baylor at Texas Tech". Dallas Morning News. 
  4. ^ Kelso, John (January 10, 1995). "Cotton Bowl fracas leaves Raider Red disappointed". The Austin American-Statesman: p. B6. 
  5. ^ "Raider Red's True Identity Revealed". Lubbock, Texas: KCBD News Channel 11. April 15, 2007. http://www.kcbd.com/Global/story.asp?S=6372849&nav=3w6y. 

External links