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March 8, 2007
The Man Behind Raidergate: A Tradition in the Making
A Texas Tech alumnus creates an annual tradition and reveals the secrets of his very early success.
Written by Kristen Delisle
When John Steinmetz came to Texas Tech in 1998, he felt there was something missing.
Unlike other universities he had looked at, Texas Tech lacked the game-day experience so many students looked forward to during football season. He decided to do something about it.
Raidergate was the result, one of the most popular school spirit traditions at Texas Tech.
“I looked at two universities for college -- Texas Tech and another university,” Steinmetz says. “And the one thing I liked about the other university was this amazing game-day experience.”
Raidergate is Texas Tech's official Student Tailgating section. A series of pre-game parties students look forward to every year, RaiderGate is held four hours prior to each home football game and features live music from bands around the state. Popular Texas Country artists Wade Bowen and Aaron Watson were among last season’s performers, with performances drawing larger audiences every year.
Steinmetz, originally from Fort Worth, came to Texas Tech to study finance. He dove right into college life, serving as freshman council vice president, IFC rush chairman and later as service chairman of Phi Delta Theta fraternity and serving as co-founder of the student Red Raider Club.
Though humble about his contributions to Texas Tech, he supported the Intercollegiate Athletic fee which helped promote school spirit on campus during his time as president of the Student Government Association. Money earned from this bill helped found Raidergate.
After graduating in 2002, Steinmetz moved on to Washington, D.C., to work directly with the Bush Administration as an intern with the Executive Office of the President. Ready to get back to Texas, he then switched gears from public service to the private sector, joining former Texas Tech Regent, Alan B. White at PlainsCapital in Dallas.
Relationships Count
As vice president of business development for PlainsCapital Bank, Steinmetz credits landing his first job to the relationships he established as a student at Texas Tech.
“Texas Tech was instrumental in getting my first job, without a doubt,” says Steinmetz. “I had the opportunity to go to work with a company that has strong ties to Texas Tech.”
Students show their school spirit at a Raidergate party, a tradition Steinmetz helped create that now attracts nearly 10,000 students.
But Steinmetz’s early success doesn’t end there. Steinmetz currently serves as Lubbock County Republican Party Chairman, the youngest in the state of Texas. As the official spokesman and representative for Lubbock County Republican Party, Steinmetz’s responsibilities include conducting County Executive Committee meetings, maintaining up-to-date voter registration lists, and recruiting and training of Precinct Chairmen.
His advice to current Texas Tech students?
“Building strong relationships is the most valuable asset I have been able to obtain in both personally and professionally,” Steinmetz says.
In the few years since Steinmetz’s graduation from Texas Tech, the growth of Raidergate has been a success not only for him, but for every Red Raider at Texas Tech -- and he’s happy to see it flourish.
“I wasn’t sure if it would survive,” Steinmetz says. “I’m proud to see Texas Tech continue to be so successful and have such a great game-day experience for students and alumni alike.”
Story produced by the Office of Communications and Marketing, 806-742-2136.
Web layout by Gretchen Pressley