Glen Sirles • Southlake, TX • Class of 1972

When I was at Tech from 1968 to 1972 the Carol of Lights was a big a part of the holidays, as it is now. But in addition to the lights on buildings, Memorial Circle and the Engineering Key were lined with luminarias. They were not electric, but traditional paper bags filled with sand to keep them in place and hold a candle inside.

Every night the landscape staff tended the luminarias, lighting each one. The effect was amazing because there were so many. I miss them when I see pictures of today's Carol of Lights. For many years now my family has included luminarias in our outdoor holiday decorations.

Although electric, they remind me of the many nights at Tech I walked across campus to or from the Library or Computer buildings and enjoyed the amazing site the staff had prepared for us students.

Dwight Pounds, PhD • Bowling Green, KY • Class of 1958 and 1963

My story concerns a night game between Texas Technological College with Texas A&M played in College Station in the Fall of 1954. The 1953 Red Raider team was quite good, had a very successful season, and went to the Gator Bowl where the Masked Rider tradition began. The 1954 team was not quite as capable, so much so that very little thought had been given to the possibility that we might win this game and/or have someone on hand to ring the Victory Bell if necessary. Low and behold, we rather unexpectedly won the game...but only muffled silence from the Administration Building tower greeted our ears. I happened to be in the area of the quadrangle when approached by three fellow students, two of them freshmen, as was I, easily identified by the green "slime caps" we were required to wear at that time. "Hey Fish, come with us-we've got to get up there and ring that bell."

Two items here a reader has to understand: firstly, freshmen were addressed as "Fish" at any given place and time of day because that is how we (in our slimy state) were regarded. The green slime caps had given us away and we were subject to upperclassmen's bidding. Secondly, the "come with us" wasn't a request-it was a command! Upperclassmen pretty well had their way with us because that is how they had been treated and they were always out for revenge. Ordinarily my tendency would have been to respond to this bozo with a very colorful version of "go fly a kite," but the part about ringing the Victory Bell was enticing and made me willing to join this ad hoc gang of carillon volunteers.

We made our way to the Administration Building (which fortunately was unlocked) and quickly up three or four flights of stairs until we came to the caged area which secured the upper tower. About the equivalent of another story above us and hanging there in total silence was the object of our affections, the bell itself. Almost predictably the gate was locked and the fencing too high to scale. But there it was-so near, yet so far, with the end of the rope we hoped to pull curled like a finger urging us closer! Something had to be done! One of our number left to find the building night janitor, assuming he would have a key, and another ran to his car to get a crowbar from his tool chest. Curiously they both returned within a couple of minutes of one another. The custodian didn't have a key to this particular lock, but he was eager to help. "Gimme that crowbar-I know just how to jimmy this thing!" A few seconds later and no more a barrier, we pushed the gate aside and ran up the remaining steps, grabbed the rope, and began putting the final and fitting touches to our victory over the Aggies by ringing this too-long muted bell-and this in no small part thanks to a college employee who himself was willing to be complicit with four freshmen and one sophomore in nothing less than a "breaking and entering" scheme!

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Amber Gregory • Bulverde, TX • Class of 2015

One of my favorite Texas Tech traditions is hearing the sweet sound of the victory bell ringing after a Tech win. I have heard the bell ring many of times but the sweetest recent moment was the 37-34 win over UT in football. Wreck 'Em!

TeeJay Smith • Amarillo, TX • Class of 1997

I loved throwing tortillas at the home football games.

Samuel Angel • Midland, Texas • Class of 2016 and 2018

Texas Tech fans are indeed some of the rowdiest, and I am proud of it to my veins. Home games always showed the visitors whose boss, and my favorite memory is the Texas Tech vs. TCU football game on a Thursday night in September 2013. By far one of the heaviest attended games of the season, we were showing off how good a team we could be, and the students cheered them on like a part of the team. The game was special, with Josh Abbott performing Victory Bells at the halftime show, a glorious win by the home team, but the best memory was the crowd. The rowdy, rowdy crowd.

Texas Tech Cheerleaders push the boundaries of leading cheers, especially when it's the right time and the right crowd. That night, the students were as loud as ever, and the echoing of the stadium from one side to the next made everything more intense. It all started with a simple "Raider" from one side of the stadium, followed by a picked up "Power" by the other side. We had just reached a third down, an adrenaline-pumping moment in the home games. "Raider" followed by a stronger "Power." There was a palpable energy as these yells were gaining strength in the crowd. "Raider" followed by an ever-growing "Power." The crowd became so intense the advertisement, fluff pieces they run from the end zone could not catch a break to run something. "Raider" followed by an even bigger "Power." The yell became something of its own, an unstoppable force of nature. "RAIDER" "POWER." The ground began to shake. "RAIDER!" "POWER!" You could feel the decibels like a tingle running through your body. "RAIDER!" "POWER!"

What can only be described as ground-shaking fans knowing their team could go far, showing their love. An event I will never forget.

Bethany DeLuna • Wichita Falls, TX • Class of 2021

My favorite Texas Tech story is how I planned the 2019 Homecoming Week parade and got to see my fellow Red Raiders' school pride!

Sara Sitsch • Houston, TX • Class of 2015

November 1, 2008 - It would not shock me if a multitude of your Texas Tech sports memory submissions took place on this date.

As an eight grade girl, I'm sure some of my friends thought it was off how excited I was for this home football game vs Texas. My parents had held season tickets for a few years by that point and every Saturday in the fall, I could hardly wait to put on my Tech jersey and make the two hour drive from Amarillo to Lubbock. I lived for the opportunity to tailgate with family, friends, and throw the occasional tortilla inside The Jones.

However, this day felt different. Students had been camping for days. College Gameday would be onsite. There was a distinct buzz in the air as though the entire city of Lubbock knew how big this game would be against a top ranked Longhorn squad.

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Juli Ward • Burnet, TX • Class of 1997

I loved the A&M vs Tech tradition! I worked for the intramural sports department. I loved all the games I worked. Especially outdoor ones! My favorite time of life was at Texas Tech. I'll never forget it! Lots of memories around campus.

Lonnie Eakle • Greeley, CO • Class of 1964

Remembering E. J. Holub: I was an underclassman with E.J. at Lubbock HS, where we were in Latin Club together, my Sophmore year and his Senior year. At Lubbock High, E.J. was a High School All-American. It was my pleasure to watch E.J. play my first two years at Tech, and it was always amazing to watch him play! E. J. played both offense and defense, making play after play! One writer wrote of E.J. that "the sound, when he hit an opposing player, was like a crate of curtain rods dropping from a ten-story building."

In one of his last games, he intercepted a pass and ran for the end zone. Only the opposing quarterback remained between him and the goal. When the quarterback saw that it was E.J. coming his way, he stepped aside and waved him into the end zone.

E.J. was drafted by the Dallas Texans, first round, 6th pick, in '61. Texans would become Kansas City Chiefs where he played for 11 years. (E.J. was also drafted by the Dallas Cowboys, in the second round, that same year!) E.J. was the last of the 2-way players in pro ball! He played linebacker, long-snapper, and finished his career at center. E. J. was the starting center in Super Bowl IV when the Chiefs defeated Minnesota, 23-7.

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Carolyn Bishop • Fort Worth, TX • Class of 1998

After serving two years as the Homecoming Parade chair, I was selected to be the 75th annual Homecoming Coordinator for Tech. I was so proud of this opportunity and learned so much from those that joined the Homecoming Committee. We all worked together, coming from different organizations and backgrounds, to make sure that our alumni and students enjoyed every activity.

From the first bonfire to a fun comedy show with Carrot Top, I walked away knowing after the game ended that we did the very best job we could. It was one of my first real leadership opportunities and the skills I learned then I still carry with me today running a large child placing agency in Texas. Thanks Tech and Happy Birthday!!

Robert Grimes • Lubbock, TX • Class of 1986

I'll never forget walking down the ramp from the locker room to the turf at Jones Stadium. When we took to the field to play a football game the band was playing the fight song, the masked rider at that time raced around the entire track, and the crowd was very loud! Our team was like brothers going into battle. We wanted so badly to win for our city, our University and for our coaches who became like a second father to us. The thrill of game day competition will forever be engrained in my memories. I will forever be a Red Raider.

Kathy Waters • Georgetown, TX • Class of 1975

Planning for the Carol of Lights begins early in the Fall semester. Traditions are a wonderful part of life at Texas Tech ... and the Carol of Lights remains one of the greatest!

The Fall of 1972 seemed routine ... the RHA made assignments for individuals to assist in the 1972 version of the Carol of Lights. As the program chairman for the event that year, I was all about the details and wanted to add a new element to the festival ... could we ring the Victory Bells as part of the program for the Carol of Lights?

A formal letter to the Board of Regents was a routine request asking permission to hold this traditional event in the center of campus, encompassing Memorial Circle, the Science Quadrangle and Engineering Key. Once that letter was written, our team set about planning for the choir and orchestra who would preform, getting the Saddle Tramps to be torchbearers, and inviting dignitaries to the celebratory dinner and the evening program prior to turning on the lights. As the ground crew begin stringing lights in October, our anticipation began to build. I was especially elated to learn that permission had been granted to let the Victory Bells ring out over campus at the end of the formal program ... this was the very first time that the bells would ring for the Carol of Lights!

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Patti Thompson • Lubbock, TX • Class of 1977 and 1994

It was Dad's Day football weekend in 1974 or '75, and my parents and grandparents were in town from Eldorado, Texas, for the game. I don't remember the score or if we won, but on the cover of the UD (University Daily) on the following Monday was my grandfather in the picture on the front page with his "Guns Up!"

Alice Schul • Lubbock, TX • Class of 1982

Texas Tech football has always been a special part of my life. My parents would take me to the games when I was a little girl. I thought Donny Anderson hung the moon. I could tell you where he was on the field at all times (he was at Raider Alley in 2019 and I got my picture made with him and told him how I always was one of his biggest fans).

As I grew older, I always listened to the games on the radio and have always cheered for them. When it came time to graduate from high school, I had to really think what schools other than Texas Tech did I want my scores to be sent to. I had to be a student so that I could go to the games and yell for the Red Raiders. I was accepted at Texas Tech and could hardly wait for football season to start. I was a member of Women's Service Organization and would go to the games with some of my fellow WSO members. Sometimes, while waiting for the game to start, we would wait and walk with the band. That is a tradition that I have done with my nephew (he came to Texas Tech and was a member of the Saddle Tramps and was Raider Red his last two years before graduating), my granddaughter and still do to this day.

There was one football game that sticks out in my memory so well. We were playing Texas A&M and they were kicking our rear ends. WSO was having a party after the game and so many of my fellow WSO members left early to go to the party because we were getting beat so bad. I stayed to the end and guess what? The Red Raiders played one heck of a second half and we came back and beat the Aggies! I learned then, you don't ever give up on the Red Raiders. There have been only a few games (you could count them on one hand and have fingers left over) that I left early. I have been known to go to the Houston game while we were in the Southwest Conference and sit out in the snow the whole game to cheer for the Red Raiders. To this day, I stay for the whole game and sing the Matador song at the end.

I love Texas Tech, our traditions, our sports and we have the most beautiful campus! Wreck 'Em!!

Julie Johnson Bryant • Fort Worth, Texas • Class of 1984

Before the Masked Rider became the program it is today, let me just say, there was a little bit more flexibility back in the early 80s, when the horse and trailer were allowed on the stadium floor. As the only regular assistant to Masked Rider and third woman rider, Jennifer Aufill, I was the poop picker upper (often times guided to the offending pile by Raider Red) and driver.

One memorable game was the 1983 Texas game in Austin. Traffic between Fort Worth and Austin was very heavy and we were scrambling to get to Memorial Stadium in time. While on the road, Jennifer changed in the truck while I waved to fans as they passed or smirked occasionally at others who told us we were number one, if you know what I mean. After speaking with a campus cop upon arrival, they graciously cleared a path to get us to the stadium. The Tech band had already executed its march in and were seated in the stands. We could see the UT band was on its way. As luck would have it, the UT band beat us to the ramp, so we waited until they completed their march in and followed behind. The Tech fans loved it . . . they gave a huge cheer as we entered . . . it was like we were already getting the last word. Texas was ranked #2 that year and squeaked out a win 20-3.

Janine Beckie, Portland, Oregon, Class of 2017

Never would I have ever told you as a young girl growing up in southern Colorado that I would end up spending 6 years of my life in windy West Texas at Texas Tech University but if you ask me now I'd say I don't know where I'd be without it.

In 2012 I arrived on campus as an eager soccer player with a dream to play professionally and there was not a whole lot else on my mind. A kid with a dream and a story that had yet to be told. In four years at Texas Tech, I transformed in more ways than I ever could have imagined, spent countless hours in an athletic department any young athlete would be blown away to be a part of.

I'll never forget a sold out Jones AT&T stadium on a college football game day, the basketball arena with a student section so loud and packed you couldn't hear a thing, the John Walker complex on a Friday night in West Texas as the place to be! I'll never forget the memories formed in Lubbock, the games won, the tough times, the laughs shared and the tears cried.

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