Texas Tech University

Joe Hornaday

2012 Outstanding Alumni

Joe Hornaday publicized, promoted and marketed Texas Tech University athletics for 30 years from 1978-2008.

He was responsible for the promotion of Texas Tech's athletic image through press releases, media guides, game programs and daily service to the media as assistant sports information director from 1978-1980 and sports information director from 1980-1996. Hornaday was responsible for the creation and content of football television and radio coaches' shows, highlight videos, posters and schedules cards; securing basketball radio station affiliates; staging weekly in-season press conferences; finalizing coach/player media interviews; overseeing football/basketball pre-game and halftime activities, and entertaining media covering home game events.

He attended Texas Tech in 1965-70 and returned in 1978 as assistant sports information director and finished his bachelor's degree, majoring in journalism, in 1979. He retired from Texas Tech in 2008.

His honors include receiving the Outstanding Achievement Award from Texas Tech in 1989, the Lester Jordan Award for exemplary service to the Academic All-American Programs and the promotion of the student-athlete ideal in 1999, and the Elmore (Scoop) Hudgens Sports Information Director Award for outstanding performance in 1999.

He currently serves on the Southwest Region Selection Committee for the College Football Hall of Fame. He served as national chairman of the selection committee for the Academic All-America Football Team from 1981-85. He oversaw the creation of the Spike Dykes Open (later renamed Red Raider Open), a blue-collar golf tournament that drew more than 500 supporters and the largest golf tournament at one golf course in the state of Texas. He also was on the ground floor in the forming of the Committee for Champions, a grassroots volunteer organization that promoted Texas Tech through value-added measures and increased exposure.

Joe Hornaday