Athletics

New Partnership Will Expand Raider Red, High Riders' Role

The costume isn�t changing, but one of Texas Tech University�s most recognizable representatives will have an expanded role at athletic and other events thanks to a new partnership between the Saddle Tramps, the High Riders and Texas Tech�s Center for Campus Life.

These three groups will now collaboratively work together to bring Raider Red to Texas Tech fans at athletic events and the myriad of other appearances this mascot makes throughout the year.

While the Saddle Tramps, a spirit group formed to uphold the spirit and traditions of Texas Tech, will remain an integral part of the Raider Red tradition, the High Riders will now provide students to serve as mascots alongside them. The new partnership will � among other benefits � ease the financial burden on the Saddle Tramps, provide scheduling relief to the students who wear the Raider Red costume and improve coordination between Raider Red and the cheer and pom squads, Masked Rider and other spirit groups already overseen by the Center for Campus Life.

�I think this is going to enhance the program,� says Saddle Tramp advisor Bill Dean, executive vice president and CEO of the Texas Tech Alumni Association. �There are a lot of pluses associated with it. We get an unbelievable number of calls asking for Raider Red to make appearances. This will mean that one student is not running himself ragged trying to cover everything himself.�

Raider Red was first created in 1971 when a Southwest Conference rule prevented Texas Tech from bringing the Masked Rider to any games played away from Lubbock. Working with cartoonist Dirk West, Saddle Tramp Jim Gaspard created Raider Red to represent the university at games. Since that time, a new Saddle Tramp has taken on the duty each year of secretly suiting up as Raider Red.

Under the new system, the Saddle Tramps and High Riders will each contribute a full-time mascot and an alternate. This will provide extra students to serve as Raider Red at various functions, easing the scheduling burden placed on the students while also allowing the mascot to expand its role in athletic events. A second costume will be purchased so that Raider Red can now literally be in two places at once.

�Basically, the program will now allow Raider Red to be involved at a much higher level,� says the Saddle Tramp currently serving as Raider Red. Traditionally, the name of the students serving as Raider Red is not revealed until after they are finished with the role.

This partnership will also open the program to another great Texas Tech spirit group. The High Riders were established in 1976 as a way for female students to support women�s athletics. Being involved with the Raider Red program will help the High Riders to recruit more students, notes Jamie Sims, the on-campus advisor to the group.

�We are hoping this will help bring more girls to the High Riders,� she says. �This partnership will not only help us to improve our recruiting, but will make our program more recognizable to the public.�

As part of the Center for Campus Life, the students serving as Raider Red will now have access to the same benefits enjoyed by Texas Tech�s spirit squads. These include yearly scholarships, access to academic tutoring and stipends to help cover travel and meal expenses. The university�s resources can also provide the financial support needed to properly store and maintain existing costumes while also purchasing future outfits.

 

Jan 15, 2020