Editing Texas Tech University (section)

=== 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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