Editing Texas Tech University (section)

== Athletics ==
{{Main|Texas Tech Red Raiders and Lady Raiders}}
Texas Tech's athletic teams are known as the Red Raiders with the exception of the women's basketball team, which is known as the Lady Raiders. Texas Tech competes in [[National Collegiate Athletic Association|NCAA]] [[Division I (NCAA)|Division I FBS]] (formerly Division I-A) and is a member of the [[Big 12 Conference]]. From 1932 until 1956, the university belonged to the [[Border Intercollegiate Athletic Association]]. After being rejected eight times over more than 20 years, the [[Southwest Conference]] admitted Texas Tech on May 12, 1956.<ref name="Texas Tech Turns 75: Tech travels long, winding road of success to Big 12"/>  When the Southwest Conference disbanded in 1995, Texas Tech, along with the [[University of Texas at Austin]], [[Texas A&M University]], and [[Baylor University]], merged with schools from the former [[Big Eight Conference]] to form the Big 12.<ref name="NationalChamps.net"/> Athletic Director [[Kirby Hocutt]] is a member of the [[College Football Playoff]] committee.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Trotter|first1=Jake|title=Kirby Hocutt to join CFP group|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/12300661/college-football-playoff-names-texas-tech-red-raiders-athletic-director-kirby-hocutt-big-12-representative|access-date=February 9, 2015|agency=ESPN|date=February 9, 2015}}</ref> Texas Tech varsity teams have won three NCAA national titles: the men's indoor track and field championship in 2024, the men's outdoor track and field championship in 2019, and the Lady Raiders basketball team won the school's first ever title in 1993.

[[File:Ebritton.jpg|thumb|upright|left|Red Raiders in action in 2007]]
The [[Texas Tech Lady Raiders basketball|Texas Tech Lady Raiders]], led by player [[Sheryl Swoopes]] and head coach [[Marsha Sharp]], won the [[1993 NCAA Women's Division I Basketball Tournament|1993 NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Championship]].<ref name="Division I Women's Basketball"/> The [[Texas Tech Red Raiders men's basketball|men's basketball team]] has made 14 appearances in the [[NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship|NCAA Men's Division I Tournament]]. [[Bob Knight]] served as men's basketball coach from the beginning of the 2001 season until February 4, 2008. On January 1, 2007, he set the record for most coaching victories in men's [[National Collegiate Athletic Association|NCAA]] Division I basketball history when the Red Raiders defeated the [[New Mexico Lobos men's basketball|New Mexico Lobos]], 70–68.<ref name="Texas Tech win gives Knight historic 880th victory"/> Upon Knight's retirement, his son [[Pat Knight]] became the head coach of the team for several seasons until [[Billy Gillispie]] replaced him.<ref name="Pat Knight proving he's not quite like his father"/> In 2013, [[Tubby Smith]] replaced Gillispie.<ref>{{cite news|title=Texas Tech hires Tubby Smith as new coach|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaab/2013/04/01/texas-tech-hires-tubby-smith-as-new-coach/2043327/|access-date=April 11, 2013|newspaper=The Associated Press|date=April 2, 2013}}</ref> After Tubby Smith's departure in 2016, Chris Beard, an assistant under Bob Knight, came aboard. Beard quickly achieved national attention, leading the team to its first Elite Eight appearance in just his second season. He led the Red Raiders to the Final Four in his third year, losing in the National Championship game to Virginia. The Red Raiders current head coach is [[Grant McCasland]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Grant McCasland - Men's Basketball Coach |url=https://texastech.com/staff-directory/grant-mccasland/4165 |access-date=2023-05-30 |website=Texas Tech Red Raiders |language=en}}</ref>

Since 1999, Texas Tech has played home basketball games at [[United Spirit Arena|United Supermarkets Arena]], a 15,020-seat multipurpose facility which cost ${{Format price|{{Inflation|US|62000000|1999}}}} in {{Inflation-year|US}} dollars{{inflation-fn|US}} to build.<ref name="Tech's United Spirit Arena opens to glowing reviews"/> In addition to serving as home to the men's and women's basketball teams, the Red Raider volleyball team uses the arena. Texas Tech students broke the Big 12 Conference record for student attendance at the United Supermarkets Arena during a February 25, 2014 loss to Kansas State. The record of 6,086 students fell less than 2,000 short of the national record.<ref>{{cite news|last=Rose|first=Rex|title=Tech breaks Big 12 attendance record, falls to Kansas State|url=http://www.dailytoreador.com/sports/article_f4ab2a9e-9eae-11e3-aa91-001a4bcf6878.html|access-date=February 26, 2014|newspaper=The Daily Toreador|date=February 26, 2014}}</ref>

The [[Texas Tech Red Raiders football|Red Raiders football]] team, is a member of the [[NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision]] (formerly known as Division I-A) and is coached by [[Joey McGuire]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Schad|first=Joe|title=Texas Tech hires Kliff Kingsbury|date=December 12, 2012|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/8741465/kliff-kingsbury-hired-texas-tech-red-raiders-coach|publisher=ESPN|access-date=April 11, 2013| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029222017/http://espn.go.com/college-football/story/_/id/8741465/kliff-kingsbury-hired-texas-tech-red-raiders-coach | archive-date = October 29, 2013| url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Tuberville to be next coach at Texas Tech"/> Throughout the 2000s, then head coach [[Mike Leach (American football coach)|Mike Leach]] lead the team to national prominence. The Red Raiders have made 41 bowl appearances, which is 20th most of any university.<ref name="Team Records – Most Bowl Appearances"/> From 1932 to 1956, as members of the Border Intercollegiate Athletic Association, the Red Raiders won eight conference championships and one co-championship, [[List of Border Intercollegiate Athletic Association football champions|the most held by a Border Conference member]]. After joining the Southwest Conference, the Red Raiders added conference co-championships in 1976 and 1994.<ref name="NationalChamps.net"/>

[[File:Jones AT&T Stadium (August 2013).jpg|thumb|Jones AT&T Stadium]]
[[Jones AT&T Stadium]] is home to the Red Raiders football team. The stadium, named for Clifford B. and Audrey Jones, opened in 1947 and has a capacity of 60,229.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.lubbockonline.com/story/sports/college/red-raiders/2024/07/31/texas-tech-football-jones-att-stadium-new-capacity-2024/74323702007/ |url-access=subscription |title=New Stadium Capacity Set for Jones AT&T Stadium |last=Williams |first=Don |date=July 31, 2024 |website=[[Lubbock Avalanche-Journal]] |publisher=Gannett |access-date=July 31, 2024 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240731223430/https://www.lubbockonline.com/story/sports/college/red-raiders/2024/07/31/texas-tech-football-jones-att-stadium-new-capacity-2024/74323702007/ |archive-date=July 31, 2024}}</ref> In 2000, the stadium was renamed Jones SBC Stadium after [[SBC Communications]] made a $30 million contribution to the university. Following SBC Communications' acquisition of AT&T Corporation in 2006 and its subsequent adoption of the AT&T name, the stadium was renamed Jones AT&T Stadium.<ref name="Jones AT&T Stadium. Delivered."/> The stadium's original [[seating capacity]] was 27,000, but it was expanded in 1959, 1972, 2003, 2009, 2010, 2013, and 2024. As of fall 2024, its total capacity is 60,229.<ref>{{cite web|title=Celebrating 77 years at Jones AT&T Stadium|url=https://www.kcbd.com/2024/11/30/celebrating-77-years-jones-att-stadium/|publisher=KCBD-TV|access-date=2024-12-01}}</ref>

On August 7, 2008, the Board of Regents of the Texas Tech University System announced a $25 million expansion project.<ref name="Expansion of Jones AT&T Stadium expected to bring more than appeal"/> The expansion added a Spanish Renaissance-themed façade to the stadium's east side. In addition to the improvements to the facility's exterior, the expansion added 1,000 general-admission seats, 550 club seats, and 26 suites.<ref name="Tech rallies funding for stadium's east side"/> Texas Tech allocated $19 million to the expansion and added another $6 million through fund-raising initiatives.<ref name="Jones"/> On November 20, 2008, university officials announced the project's fundraising goal had been exceeded.<ref name="Tech stadium expansion set after funding goal met"/> The expansion' groundbreaking ceremonies took place on November 29, 2008, and construction was completed before the [[2009 Texas Tech Red Raiders football team|2009 football season]].<ref name="Jones"/><ref name="Fundraising Goals Reached for Jones AT&T Stadium Expansion"/>

In January 2013, construction added another 368 seats in the north endzone and two observation decks. The $11 million project also includes a significantly upgraded [[jumbotron]] with a new sound system, a Spanish Renaissance-themed [[colonnade]], and a north end zone concourse that connects the two stadium halves. Along with the other additions, 157 feet of ribbon board will be added on the north end zone, more than 160 linear feet in the northeast and northwest corners of the stadium, and 94 lineal feet in the south end zone over the athletic offices. The construction was completed during the 2013 season.<ref>{{cite news|last=McKee|first=Catherine|title=Expansion on Jones AT&T Stadium to begin Jan. 2013|url=http://www.dailytoreador.com/news/article_f2b5fb50-463b-11e2-af05-001a4bcf6878.html|access-date=January 2, 2013|newspaper=The Daily Toreador|date=December 14, 2012| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130304145926/http://www.dailytoreador.com/news/article_f2b5fb50-463b-11e2-af05-001a4bcf6878.html | archive-date = March 4, 2013| url-status=live}}</ref>

The south end zone project, completed in 2024, marked the largest athletic facility investment in the university’s history. It upgraded the stands behind the south end zone and created more than 300,000 square feet for player development and fan amenities.<ref>{{cite web|title=Texas Tech South End Zone|url=https://populous.com/projects/texas-tech-south-end-zone|publisher=Populous|access-date=2024-12-01}}</ref>

The [[Texas Tech Red Raiders baseball|Red Raiders baseball team]] played its first game in 1925.<ref name="2008 Baseball Media Guide"/>  The team has two conference championships, two conference tournament championships, and has made nine [[NCAA Division I Baseball Championship]] tournament appearances.<ref name="Texas Tech Year-by-Year Scores"/> [[Larry Hays]] coached the team from 1987 to 2008 and compiled a .639 winning percentage.<ref name="Larry Hays steps down as Tech baseball's head coach"/> Following Hays' retirement on June 2, 2008, Assistant Coach [[Dan Spencer]] was promoted to head coach.<ref name="Dan Spencer Named Head Baseball Coach at Texas Tech"/> Dan Spencer was replaced by [[Tim Tadlock]] following the 2012 season and made its first appearance in the [[College World Series]] in 2013. At least 20 former Red Raiders baseball players have gone on to play in the [[MLB|Major Leagues]].<ref name="Texas Tech University Baseball Players Who Made it to the Major Leagues"/> Alumnus [[Josh Jung]] won the [[2023 World Series]] as a member of the [[Texas Rangers (baseball)|Texas Rangers]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Wreck ‘Em Rangers: Texas Tech alumni support Josh Jung at World Series|url=https://www.everythinglubbock.com/news/wreck-em-rangers-texas-tech-alumni-support-josh-jung-at-world-series/|publisher=Everything Lubbock|access-date=2024-12-01}}</ref> The Texas Tech team plays its home games at [[Dan Law Field at Rip Griffin Park]]. The field, renovated in 2012 and on the main campus in Lubbock, has a [[seating capacity]] of 5,050.<ref name="Tech baseball begins fall practice at Lubbock Christian"/>

Texas Tech's [[Texas Tech Red Raiders track and field|track and field teams]] have been led by head coach [[Wes Kittley]] since 2000. Under Kittley, the men's team won the [[2019 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championships]] and the [[2024 NCAA Division I Indoor Track and Field Championships]]. It has produced seven Olympic medalists, 16 national champions, over 200 All-Americans and 119 Big 12 Champions, including [[Michael Mathieu]], [[Sally Kipyego]], [[Kennedy Kithuka]], [[Shereefa Lloyd]], [[Gil Roberts]] and others.<ref>{{cite web|title=Wes Kittley Bio|url=http://www.texastech.com/sports/c-track/mtt/kittley_wes00.html|website=TexasTech.com|publisher=Texas Tech University|access-date=March 15, 2015|archive-date=April 2, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402091818/http://www.texastech.com/sports/c-track/mtt/kittley_wes00.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In addition to varsity sports, the university's Sport Clubs Federation offers 30 recreational and competitive sport clubs, including polo, [[rugby union]], [[lacrosse (sport)|lacrosse]], [[fencing]], and [[Association football|soccer]].<ref name="ttu8"/> 
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=== Mascots ===
[[The Masked Rider]] is Texas Tech University's oldest mascot. The tradition began in 1936, when "ghost riders" were dared to circle the field prior to home football games. The Masked Rider became an official mascot in 1954, when Joe Kirk Fulton led the team onto the field at the [[Gator Bowl]]. According to reports from those at the game, the crowd sat in stunned silence as they watched Fulton and his horse Blackie rush onto the football field, followed by the team. After a few moments, the silent crowd burst into cheers. Ed Danforth, a writer for the ''[[Atlanta Journal]]'' who witnessed the event, later wrote, "No team in any bowl game ever made a more sensational entrance."<ref name="Mascots unmasked: A lasting tradition for Texas Tech began at 1954 Gator Bowl"/><ref name="History of Masked Rider: A history of one of Texas Tech's Oldest and Best-Loved Traditions"/> In 2000, The Masked Rider tradition was commemorated with the unveiling of a statue outside of the university's Frazier Alumni Pavilion. The sculpture, created by artist Grant Speed, is 25% larger than life.<ref name="Rider stands larger than life: A new statue dedicated to the history of the Masked Rider finds its home"/>

Today, the Masked Rider, with [[guns up]], leads the team onto the field for all home games. This mascot, adorned in a distinctive [[gaucho]] hat like those worn by members of the marching band, is one of the most visible figures at Texas Tech.

Texas Tech's other mascot, [[Raider Red]], is a more recent creation. Beginning with the 1971 football season, the Southwest Conference forbade the inclusion of live animal mascots to away games unless the host school consented. For situations where the host school did not want to allow the Masked Rider's horse, an alternative mascot was needed. Jim Gaspard, a member of the [[Texas Tech University traditions#Spirit organizations|Saddle Tramps]] student spirit organization, created the original design for the Raider Red costume, basing it on a character created by cartoonist [[Dirk West]], a Texas Tech alumnus and former Lubbock mayor.<ref name="Dirk West: Before the mustache, guns"/> Although the Masked Rider's identity is public knowledge, it has always been tradition that Raider Red's student alter ego is kept secret until the end of his or her tenure.<ref name="Raider Red"/> The student serving as Raider Red is a member of the Saddle Tramps or High Riders.
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