The Masked Rider

Last updated
The Masked Rider
MaskedRider.jpg
The Masked Rider gives the Guns Up hand sign.
UniversityTexas Tech University
Conference Big 12
DescriptionLive horse and rider
Origin of nameBased on the rider's outfit
First seen1936
Related mascot(s) Raider Red

The Masked Rider is the primary mascot of Texas Tech University. It is the oldest of the university's mascots still in existence today. Originally called "Ghost Rider", it was an unofficial mascot appearing in a few games in 1936 and then became the official mascot with the 1954 Gator Bowl. The Masked Rider has led the team onto the field at nearly every football game since. It is the nation's first school mascot to feature a live horse at a football game, ahead of [1] Florida State's Chief Osceola and Renegade and 25 years before USC's Traveler and all other such mascots in existence today.

Contents

After learning of the Masked Rider, other schools emulated the idea of a mounted mascot. Florida State began their tradition in 1978, immediately after seeing Texas Tech's live mascot at the 1977 Tangerine Bowl that pitted the two. The Oklahoma State Cowboys copied the Masked Rider in 1984 when Eddy Finley, a Texas Tech alumnus became an Oklahoma State University agricultural education professor, and started the Spirit Rider Program when both schools were still in separate conferences. [2]

The Masked Rider is adorned from head to toe in black, including a black gaucho hat and a black mask. The only other color present is the scarlet rider's cape. [3] The current horse is also black, a tradition for the last 40 years, although horses prior to the 70s were on occasion other colors.

Students must pass a rigorous interview and testing process in order to be selected for this honor by the Masked Rider Advisory Committee. The Masked Rider is available for public appearances for no fee, though a donation is encouraged.

In 2000, the Masked Rider tradition was commemorated with the unveiling of a sculpture outside Frazier Alumni Pavilion on Texas Tech's campus. The Grant Speed crafted sculpture is 25 percent larger than life. In August 2013, the statue was wrapped in black Crêpe paper to mourn the death of the first Masked Rider, Joe Kirk Fulton. [4] [5]

History

The Masked Rider sculpture MRstatue.jpg
The Masked Rider sculpture

In 1936, the first rider, George Tate (class of 1937), led the football team onto the football field then left the field. Tate, whose identity was kept a secret at the time, was wearing a scarlet satin cape made by the Home Economics Department. He had borrowed a horse from the Tech barn as a prank. Tate was quoted in the November 4, 1984, issue of The Dallas Morning News as saying that Arch Lamb, who was then the head yell leader of the Saddle Tramps, "dreamed up this Red Raider thing." The prank was pulled a few more times that season but didn't surface again until the 1950s, when another Tech student was approached about creating a mascot. [6]

In 1953, Texas Tech football coach DeWitt Weaver approached a student named Joe Kirk Fulton about becoming the Masked Rider. DeWitt's Red Raiders were 10-1-0 in football and headed to Jacksonville, Florida for the Gator Bowl. At the time, Texas Tech was hoping to be invited to join the Southwest Conference. All the other teams had a mascot, and it is thought that DeWitt believed creating a mascot for Texas Tech might aid the school's chances for admission into the conference. Fulton agreed to ride a horse named Blackie in the bowl game.

Most notably, the most famous masked rider was Kevin Burns (2007-2008). Pictured above. He is currently a successful feed and trailer salesman, leading a strong team of awesomeness. One of his favorite coworkers is Madison (not pictured above).

Texas Tech's Center for Campus Life explains:

According to reports from those present at the 1954 Gator Bowl, the crowd sat in stunned silence as they watched Fulton and Blackie rush onto the football field, followed by the team. After a few moments of stunned disbelief, the silent crowd burst into cheers. Ed Danforth, a writer for the Atlanta Journal and a press box spectator later wrote, "No team in any bowl game ever made a more sensational entrance." [6]

The Masked Rider logo The Masked Rider logo.png
The Masked Rider logo

Beginning in the early 1960s, the Texas Tech marching band has played a composition written expressly for the mascot. "Ride, Raider, Ride" (commonly known as The Horse Music) is performed in quick time as the horse is galloped around the stadium sidelines. The highly spirited tune was composed by faculty member Richard Tolley, Professor of trumpet and Associate Director of Bands, 1959-1991.

Riders and Horses [7]

There have been 62 different student riders and 15 different horses that have served as the Masked Rider mascot.

YEARRIDERHOMETOWNHORSE
1953-19541Joe Kirk FultonLubbock, TXunsure
1954-1955Joe Kirk FultonLubbock, TXunsure
1955-19562Jim CloydStratford, TXBlackie
1956-1957Jim CloydStratford, TXTech Beauty
1957-19583Donald "Polly" HollarBenham, TXTech Beauty
1958-1959Donald "Polly" HollarBenham, TXTech Beauty
1959-19604J.H. "Hud" RheaRoswell, NMBeau Black
1960-1961J.H. "Hud" RheaRoswell, NMBeau Black
1961-19625Kelley WaggonerHillsboro, NMTech Beauty
1962-19636Bill DurfeyThe Woodlands, TXTech Beauty
1963-19647Douglas "Nubbin" HollarBrenham, TXCharcoal Cody
1964-19658Douglas "Dink" WilsonQuanah, TXCharcoal Cody
1965-1966Douglas "Dink" WilsonQuanah, TXCharcoal Cody
1966-1967Douglas "Nubbin" HollarBrenham, TXCharcoal Cody
1967-1968Douglas "Nubbin" HollarBrenham, TXCharcoal Cody
1968-19699Johnny Bob CarruthLubbock, TXCharcoal Cody
1969-1970Johnny Bob CarruthLubbock, TXCharcoal Cody
1970-197110Tommy MartinGraham, TXCharcoal Cody
1971-197211Randy JeffersAmarillo, TXCharcoal Cody
1972-1973Randy JeffersAmarillo, TXShowboy Huffman
1973-197412Gerald NoblesMidland, TXHappy Five
1974-197513Anne LynchDell City, TXHappy Five
1975-197614Joe Kim KingBrady, TXHappy Five
1976-197715Jess WallPerryton, TXHappy Five
1977-197816Larry CadeCopperas Cove, TXHappy Five
1978-197917Lee PuckittSan Angelo, TXHappy VI
1979-198018Coke HoppingMemphis, TXHappy VI
1980-198119Kathleen CampbellEl Paso, TXHappy VI-II
1981-198220Kurt HarrisCollinsville, TXHappy VI-II
1982-198321Perry ChurchCanyon, TXHappy VI-II
1983-198422Jennifer AufillBuffalo Gap, TXHappy VI-II
1984-198523Zurick LabrierGuymon, OKHappy VI-II
1985-198624Jerrell KeyLubbock, TXHappy VI-II
1986-198725Daniel JenkinsTurkey, TXHappy VI-II
1987-198826Kim SaundersColfax, LAMidnight Raider
1988-198927Lea WhiteheadMidland, TXMidnight Raider
1989-199028Tonya TinninBryson, TXMidnight Raider
1990-199129Blaine LemonsColorado City, TXMidnight Raider
1991-199230RaLynn KeyCrosbyton, TXMidnight Raider
1992-199331Jason SpenceSeminole, TXMidnight Raider
1993-199432Lisa GilbreathLewisville, TXDouble T
1994-199533Amy SmartMidland, TXDouble T
1995-199634JoLynn SelfLubbock, TXHigh Red
1996-199735Martha ReedSan Angelo, TXHigh Red
1997-199836Becky McDougalLubbock, TXHigh Red
1998-199937Michael "Dusty" AbneyLubbock, TXBlack Phantom Raider
1999-200038Travis L. ThorneNew Deal, TXBlack Phantom Raider
2000-200139Lesley GilbreathFlower Mound, TXBlack Phantom Raider
2001-200240Katie CarruthLubbock, TXBlack Phantom Raider
2002-200341Jessica MelvinPierre, SDMidnight Matador
2003-200442Ben HollandTexline, TXMidnight Matador
2004-200543Stacy StockardStanger, TXMidnight Matador
2005-200644Justin BurginScurry, TXMidnight Matador
2006-200745Amy BellKermit, TXMidnight Matador
2007-200846Kevin BurnsClovis, NMMidnight Matador
2008-200947Ashley HartzogFarwell, TXMidnight Matador
2009-201048Brianne HightClovis, NMMidnight Matador
2010-201149Christi ChadwellGarland, TXMidnight Matador
2011-201250Bradley SkinnerArvada, COMidnight Matador
2012-201351Ashley WenzelFriendswood, TXMidnight Matador
2013-201452Corey WaggonerLubbock, TXFearless Champion
2014-201553Mackenzie WhiteMarble Falls, TXFearless Champion
2015-201654Rachel McLellandTijeras, NMFearless Champion
2016-201755Charlie SniderCorinth, TXFearless Champion
2017-201856Laurie TolboomDublin, TXFearless Champion
2018-201957Lyndi StarrMount Vernon, TXFearless Champion
2019-202058Emily BrodbeckLubbock, TXFearless Champion
2020-202159Cameron HekkertHighlands Ranch, COFearless Champion
2021-202260Ashley AdamsLubbock, TXFearless Champion
2022-202361Caroline HobbsDallas, TXCentennial Champion
2023-202462Lauren BlossEl Paso, TXCentennial Champion
2024-202563Ellie BrownCanyon, TXCentennial Champion

Incidents

Sculpture of the Masked Rider wrapped in black in mourning of the death of the first Masked Rider, Joe Kirk Fulton, in 2013 Sculpture of the Masked Rider wrapped in black.jpg
Sculpture of the Masked Rider wrapped in black in mourning of the death of the first Masked Rider, Joe Kirk Fulton, in 2013

Raider Red

Around the 1971 football season, the Southwest Conference created a rule forbidding the bringing of live animal mascots to away games unless the host school allowed it. Since the Masked Rider's horse might be prohibited from traveling to some games under this rule, an alternate mascot named Raider Red was created; Raider Red is a person wearing a normal mascot costume.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Texas Tech University</span> Public university in Lubbock, Texas, US

Texas Tech University is a public research university in Lubbock, Texas, United States. Established on February 10, 1923, and called Texas Technological College until 1969, it is the flagship institution of the five-institution Texas Tech University System. As of fall 2024, the university enrolled 40,969 students, making it the sixth-largest university in Texas. Over 25% of its undergraduate student population identifies as Hispanic, so the university has been designated a Hispanic-serving institution (HSI).

Emil Joseph Holub was an American football center and linebacker in the American Football League (AFL) and the National Football League (NFL) for the Dallas Texans/Kansas City Chiefs. He played college football at Texas Technological College.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Texas Tech Red Raiders</span> Athletic teams that represent Texas Tech University

The Texas Tech Red Raiders and Lady Raiders are the athletic teams that represent Texas Tech University, located in Lubbock, Texas, United States. The women's basketball team uses the name Lady Raiders, while the school's other women's teams use the "Red Raiders" name.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Raider Red</span>

Raider Red is one of the mascots of Texas Tech University. The university's primary mascot is The Masked Rider who rides a live horse. Raider Red is used at events where The Masked Rider is not allowed or would not be appropriate.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Texas Tech Red Raiders football</span> College football team that represents Texas Tech University

The Texas Tech Red Raiders football program is a college football team that represents Texas Tech University. The team competes as a member of the Big 12 Conference, which is a Division I Football Bowl Subdivision of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). The program began in 1925 and has an overall winning record, including a total of 11 conference titles and one division title. On November 8, 2021, Joey McGuire was hired as the team's 17th head football coach, replacing Matt Wells, who was fired in the middle of the 2021 season. Home games are played at Jones AT&T Stadium in Lubbock, Texas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">DeWitt Weaver</span>

DeWitt Thompson Weaver Sr. was an American football player, coach, and college athletics administrator. He served as the head football coach of the Texas Tech Red Raiders from 1951 to 1960.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Graham Harrell</span> American football player and coach (born 1985)

Graham Stanton Harrell is an American football coach and former quarterback. He played college football for Texas Tech Red Raiders from 2004 to 2008. He played in the Canadian Football League (CFL) and the National Football League (NFL) from 2009 to 2013, with his longest tenure as a player with the Green Bay Packers. He served as the offensive coordinator of the North Texas Mean Green (2016–2018), USC Trojans (2019–2021) and the West Virginia Mountaineers (2022).

The 2008 Gator Bowl was played on January 1, 2008, as part of the 2007 NCAA Division I FBS football season. It featured the Red Raiders of Texas Tech University, who finished third in the Big 12 Conference's South Division, and the Cavaliers of the University of Virginia, who finished second in the Atlantic Coast Conference's Coastal Division. Texas Tech won the game on a last-second field goal, securing a 31–28 victory.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Guns Up</span>

Guns Up is the famous slogan and hand signal of Texas Tech University. The slogan and hand signal are used by students and alumni as a school-spirited greeting. It is also used as a celebratory sign during athletic events.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Victor Payne</span> American basketball and football coach (1899–1981)

Victor Duane Payne Jr. was an American college basketball and college football coach. He was the head football coach at Abilene Christian College and Simmons University. Payne was also the basketball head coach at Texas Technological College—now known as Texas Tech University.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Texas Tech University traditions</span> Aspect of Texas Tech University culture

Texas Tech University traditions are an important part of the culture of Texas Tech University.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1953 Texas Tech Red Raiders football team</span> American college football season

The 1953 Texas Tech Red Raiders football team represented Texas Technological College—now known as Texas Tech University—as a member of the Border Conference during the 1953 college football season. Led by third-year head coach DeWitt Weaver, the Red Raiders compiled an overall record of 11–1 with a mark of 5–0 in conference play, winning the Border Conference title. Texas Tech was invited to the Gator Bowl, where they beat the Auburn Tigers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Texas A&M–Texas Tech football rivalry</span> American college football rivalry

The Texas A&M–Texas Tech football rivalry is an American college football rivalry between the Texas A&M Aggies football team of Texas A&M University and Texas Tech Red Raiders football team of Texas Tech University. The series began in 1927. The rivalry had continued uninterrupted since 1957 when the two schools became conference rivals. Texas A&M leads the series 37–32–1. Texas A&M started the series with a 12–3 advantage while the two teams played each other as non-conference opponents from 1927–1955. Texas Tech led with a 2–1 record during its probationary membership in the Southwest Conference from 1957–59. Texas A&M led the series during the Southwest Conference years (1960–95) with an 18–17–1 record. Texas Tech led the series during the Big 12 Conference years (1996–2011) with a 10–6 record. In summary, Texas A&M dominated the series during the early years (1927–1955) with a 12–3 advantage, while Texas Tech leads the series in the modern era (1957–2011) with a 29–25–1 advantage. Both teams are tied with six games each for the longest winning streak. Texas Tech holds the longest uninterrupted winning streak of the series, six games between 1968 and 1973, while Texas A&M has the longest nonconsecutive winning streak, six games in 1927, 1932 and 1942 through 1945. Texas A&M currently holds a three-game winning streak but with their departure from the Big 12 Conference in 2012, it is uncertain if the rivalry will continue in the future.

The History of Texas Tech Red Raiders football covers 95 seasons since the team began play as the "Matadors" in 1925.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Baylor–Texas Tech football rivalry</span> American college football rivalry

The Baylor–Texas Tech football rivalry is an American college football rivalry between the Baylor Bears and Texas Tech Red Raiders. Each school is a member of the Big 12 Conference. The rivalry began in 1929. The game has been played every year since 1956 despite the fact that Texas Tech was a member of the Border Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. In 1960, Texas Tech joined the Southwest Conference, ensuring the rivalry would continue. In 1996, the Southwest Conference dissolved, and both teams were invited, along with the Texas Longhorns and Texas A&M Aggies, with former members of the Big Eight Conference to form the Big 12 Conference. From 1947–64, Baylor won 14 of the 15 games. From 1996–2010, Texas Tech won 15 straight games. Baylor then won 5 straight meetings.

References

  1. Chandler, Cory. "Gator Re-Raided". Texas Tech University. Archived from the original on 2008-02-29. Retrieved 2008-09-05.
  2. "Spirit Rider: Riding With Cowboy Pride". Cowboy Journal. Archived from the original on 2008-09-30. Retrieved 2009-06-28.
  3. Griffin, Tim. "Face of the Program: Texas Tech Red Raiders". ESPN.com . Retrieved 2008-09-03.
  4. Wolfe, Angel (2000-09-11). "Rider stands larger than life". The Daily Toreador . Retrieved 2008-10-14.[ permanent dead link ]
  5. Shooter, Cole. "First Texas Tech Masked Rider Joe Kirk Fulton Dies at Age 81". KYFO. Retrieved 3 August 2013.
  6. 1 2 "A history of one of Texas Tech's Oldest and Best-Loved Traditions". Texas Tech Center for Campus Life. Archived from the original on 2006-03-22. Retrieved 2006-04-30.
  7. "Texas Tech Masked Rider Program Former Riders". Texas Tech University. Retrieved June 15, 2022.
  8. 1 2 Ritz, Jennifer. "History of Masked Rider". Texas Techsan Magazine. Retrieved 2009-06-28.[ permanent dead link ]
  9. 1 2 Griffin, Tim (2008-06-26). "After passing series of tests, Hartzog to serve as Tech's Masked Rider" . Retrieved 2008-09-03.
  10. "College Football's 25 Greatest Mascots". College Football News . Archived from the original on 2007-11-14. Retrieved 2007-02-21.
  11. "Texas Tech's Midnight Matador retires". KCBD. Retrieved 17 October 2012.

See Also