I was born a Red Raider...Literally it's in my blood. haha! My mom graduated from Tech. Growing up we went to Lubbock fairly often to visit her former college roommates and we always visited the campus. So if I wasn't born with it, I was brainwashed...or so I like to tease my mom. The funny thing is my cousin Mandy and I always rooted for Tech with my mom, even when most of our family weren't Tech fans, and now they have all come over to our side...Well all but a few who remane nameless...Ahem!
Also, Tech will always hold a special place in my heart, because that is where my husband and I dated and fell in love...We had many of our engagement pictures taken on campus.
So here are my favorite traditions from my team and school. I included some of the school as well, because there are a few that make it stand out to me. (For those of you Tech Alum that read this I hope it is a sweet little trip down memorey lane!)
1. Tech Football Games - They are so crazy, particularly if you sit in the student section...It's definitely the best seat (or place to stand) in the house! I miss it dearly, however I still love going!
2. Rivalry with Texas and A&M...Most fans and alum of the formerly mentioned schools will not agree that there is a rivalry here, but they certainly get all riled up about trying to beat us each year, and very mad when they don't!
3. Masked Rider - What an awesome symbol, and I love to see him ride out each game leading our team on the field!
4. Raider Red - Another fantastic mascot! I got a picture with him at Carol of Lights one year and surprised my mom with it!
5. Texas Tech Architechture - Some might not agree witht his being a tradition, but if you have ever stepped foot on the campus or seen the football stadium you have to beg to differ... I love that they have maintained the integrity of the campus and so many of the buildings have a common Spanish architechural theme. It really unites them and looks so beautiful. I always used to tease my mom when I was in college because she wanted to go and walk or drive around campus. Last time we wvisited I apologized to her because I suddenly felt a little old when we drove by the front entrance, and I had this urge to take a walk down memory lane...Oh how times change! :-)
6. Will Rogers Statue - The back of the horse of this statue was measured to face exactly between UT and A&M...Love it! Another funny story about this statue...When we were freshmen my husband and his roommate tried to crawl up there in the middle of winter to get their picture and froze themselves trying to get up there...haha!
7. Lubbock, a college town - One of the first things I noticed when I visited Tech the fall before I went there was how much the town supports the school...There is red & black and double T's everywhere you go. The car dealerships even shut down on Saturdays during home games!
8. Wrapping the campus and Will Rogers- It was always fun to see the red and black streamers the Saddle Tramps (one of the spirit groups for you non Tehc people) all over campus the day before a home game!
9. Victory Bells - Whenever Tech wins the game at home or away, the victory bell in the top of the administration building rings for 30 minutes to celebrate the win.
10. Guns Up - Our saying and pride in Red Raiderland!
11. Homecoming - We have an awesome bonfire (no it doesn't compare to all other schools) but it is big and fun nonetheless) the night before the game. Also from the bonfire sight you can see one of the dorms has a tradition to turn on/off their lights so that when you look at the rooms fron outside it looks like a double T. And a fun parade the next morning too that I got to participate in during college.
12. Carol of Lights - This is not necessarily a team tradition, but it is definitely a school tradition, and I would feel awful to leave it out, as it is one of my favorite. The first Saturday during December everyone gathers in the quad and entrance to the school and all the light s are turned off so it is completely black except for one spotlight which focuses on giant wreath on the chemistry building where the choir sings beautiful Christmas hymns. Then the lights are turned off, and suddenly the entire quad and entrance are illuminated with Christmas lights! It is such a beautiful thing to see! So romantic...There is always a proposal or two and it is so fun to see little kids faces. Jason and I have shared so many amazing memories here, and I can't wait to take our kids someday!
The last one is a personal tradition my husband and I have that helps us to remember and cherish all of our Tech Traditions each holiday. We had always said that we wanted a Texas Tech Christmas tree. So the Christmas before we got married my husband bought the four official ornaments from Texas Tech for the years we went to school together there. We have continued to purchase the ornaments throughout the years, and have planned to go back and start from the first one someday. Each ornament bears a symbol of Tech such as the fight song, alma mater or a special building on campus...and we enjoy the hunt during our later football games to locate the official ornament for that year!
If that's not enought for you, here's a great link from the school that talks a little more about some great traditions around campus!
Tech TraditionsI am so excited to head to a few more games this year and keep these traditions alive!
