AEC's Stacy Stockard Moncibaiz Takes Ownership of Tech's Midnight Matador
Texas Tech's Midnight Matador will retire under the ownership of a familiar face. CASNR grad and the university's 43rd Masked Rider Stacy Stockard Moncibaiz will be transferred ownership of the horse, according to a press announcement released today (Jan. 25).
"Midnight Matador has been the heart and soul of our Masked Rider program for more than a decade," Moncibaiz said. "I'm honored to be selected to take care of him in his retirement. His well-being means the world to me, and I look forward to providing him with a wonderful, loving home."
Moncibaiz, who served as the university's iconic Masked Rider during the 2004 to 2005 season, graduated from Tech in 2005 with a bachelor's in agricultural communications. She then earned her master's in agricultural education in 2006 and graduated from the Texas Tech School of Law in 2009. Today, she's the marketing coordinator for Tech's Transportation and Parking Services.
Amy Murphy, director for the Center for Campus Life, knows the horse is in good hands. "Stacy was an exceptional Masked Rider and has continued her involvement with the program as a representative on the Masked Rider Advisory Committee and Field Safety," she said.
Murphy said Moncibaiz outlined a plan that will care for the aging horse and provide a stable home for him as he retires. Midnight Matador served 10 seasons and 11 riders, the longest-serving mascot in the program's history. Only Happy IV-II's eight-year term from 1980 to 1987 is the closest in length of service. Midnight was the 13th horse to ride for the program.
Selected for the Masked Rider program in 2002 at the age of three from Hoggett Ranches in Bluff Dale, Midnight Matador also carried College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources students Jessica Melvin, Ben Holland, Justin Burgin, Amy Bell, Kevin Burns, Ashley Hartzog, Brianne Aucutt Hight, Christi Chadwell, and Bradley Skinner.
Written by Leslie Cranford
CONTACT: Steve Fraze, chairman, Department of Agricultural Education and Communications, Texas Tech University at (806) 742-2816 or steven.fraze@ttu.edu
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Editor's Note: Officials note that Midnight Matador's replacement is Hollywood at Dusk, an 8-year-old quarter horse gelding from a Tulia ranch. A naming contest is currently underway through March 1. (E-mail submissions should be sent to namethehorse@ttu.edu)
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