Masked Rider A Tradition all its Own by Annie Parchman The Masked Rider of Texas Tech is much different from any other mascot in the nation. The rider, which dons a scarlet cape, jet-black mask and bolero style hat, is an icon all Red Raiders identify. Four Division I universities have a horse and rider mascot. These universities may share the similarities of a horse and rider mascot, but that is where the likeness of the traditions stop. At FSU, Bill Durham sets the standards of the program and also owns it. Durham is responsible for making sure the local Seminole Indian tribe approves of Chief Osceola and Renegade. Jim Melton is the Director of Alumni Relations with FSU and works closely with Durham. "Chief Osceola and Renegade are a representation of the original chief who protested the movement of Indians along the Trail of Tears. The pair are not recognized as the official mascot of Florida State and the program is run with the guidance and suggestions of a local Seminole tribe," Melton said. While the riders are students, each rider must first complete a year-long internship before they are selected. Melton also says riders cannot be women, because women do not ride horses in the tribe. Like FSU, a private individual owns the program at the USC. The rider is known as Tommy the Trojan, while his mount is called Traveler. Unlike FSU, the riders have traditionally been related to the owner of the program, Richard Saukkl. Another school with a horse and rider mascot is the UVa. Cavaliers. Similar to Tommy the Trojan, the Cavalier at University of Virginia is not a student. According to Andrew Rader, with Athletic Marketing at UVa., the program had no success with student riders. A local tack store owner serves as the program’s rider. The program at UVa. is similar to the program at FSU. Like the FSU program, the university has no responsibilities toward the program. While both the FSU and USC programs have been around for some time, according to Rader, the program at UVa. was just reintroduced six years ago. While the programs at FSU, USC and UVa. have their differences, neither of the three programs have the uniqueness of the Texas Tech Masked Rider. The idea of the Masked Rider program was conceived in 1936 by two Saddle Tramps, Arch Lamb and George Tate. Lamb came up with the idea while Tate executed the plan with a horse borrowed from the dairy barn. "Arch told me not to stay long…just like a phantom. I didn’t want to stay either because I wasn’t supposed to have the horse. It was top secret. We never spoke of it. Even my roommate–I’m sure he knew it was me, but he never mentioned it," Tate said. The rider was not seen again until 1954 when Joe Kirk Fulton traveled to Florida to make an appearance at the Auburn vs. Tech in the Gator Bowl game. Fulton had no idea that 47 years later his ride would grow to the tradition of today. Unlike any other university, the Masked Rider, who is a student, is responsible for the care and maintenance of their mount. They are also responsible for traveling across the state to make appearances, each time serving as the icon of the university. The Masked Rider program is funded by the support of Wells Fargo Bank of Texas, who in 1994 started an endowment fund that will support the program for years to come. The Masked Rider is a mascot set apart from the rest. Only a Red Raider can truly understand what makes the Masked Rider special, why it is recognized by so many and why others marvel at its sight.