The Wild History of Texas Tech University and Red Raider Origins

Did you know that "Texas Tech" wasn't the original name for the home of the Red Raiders? The university's history is packed with interesting tidbits that turn the heads of even the most seasoned graduates, faculty, and staff.

The Idea for a Lubbock College

Settlers to Lubbock, Texas, well before the year 1900 were already set on establishing a college in the town. At that point, it looked like a branch of A&M was in the cards for the Hub City called 'West Texas A&M College' in 1917. But, after some funny business with alleged false reports from then Governor James E. Ferguson, this plan fell through.

Finally, thanks in part to State Sen. William Bledsoe in 1923, Lubbock was approved for the construction of their own unique institution, Texas Technological College.

The college officially opened on Sep. 30, 1925, and had a total enrollment of 914 students across the six buildings on campus. At first, the college only had four schools: agriculture, engineering, home economics, and liberal arts (the largest of the four).

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By 1940, enrollment stood at 4,246, and the college trained men for combat in World War II around this time as well.

The Birth of Texas Tech University

Texas Technological College was renamed to Texas Tech University in 1969, and by 1990, enrollment was over 25,000 with a staff of 1,160.

The university's infamous mascot, Raider Red, was first created in 1971 after a new rule was created that prevented the Masked Rider to take a horse onto the football field. One student, Jim Gaspard, just HAD to have some icon that screamed 'Texas Tech' at home and away football games. So, with the help of a cartoonist, Raider Red was born.

When it comes to the catchphrase "Guns Up" and the notorious hand signal, this can be traced back to 1961 when a Texas Tech graduate living in Austin wanted a counter to UT's "Hook 'em Horns."

This is just a taste of Tech's history. To read more and to see the long list of traditions, check out the Tech website.

So, just remember that if you are current student or a former student of Texas Tech University, you are a part of a century-long legacy of Red Raiders that make the school one of the best in the nation. Go Tech Go!