Descriptive Summary
Texas Tech University
Masked Rider Records,
1938-2011
The records pertain to
the history of the Texas Tech's mascot program, the Masked Rider.
U 114.1
Southwest Collection/Special Collections
Library, Texas Tech University
1 Box (0.75 linear
foot)
English.
Biographical Sketch
The Masked Rider tradition began officially January 1, 1954, when a
member of the Sheriff's Posse, Bert Eads, thought up the idea of having a horse
lead the Red Raiders onto the football field at the start of each game. A
beautiful black horse named Blackie was proved by Jim St. Clair. Joe Kirk
Fulton became the first Masked Rider as he rode Blackie on the field during the
Gator Bowl at Jacksonville, Florida. The Atlanta Journal described the event as
No team in any bowl game ever made a more
sensational entrance. After Tech's victory, Fulton's father donated the
start up gear for the Masked Rider, including horse trailer and saddle.
Unofficially, the Masked Rider has been sneaking onto the Tech
football field since the 1930s. Since 1954, the official Masked Rider
has been occupied by fifty Texas Tech students over the past fifty-seven years.
Though the mascot has been a long tradition for Tech, the rules for performance
on the field have changed as well as the costume itself. Many horses have been
trained for their activities on the football field, including several owned by
the Masked Rider at the time. Since 2002, the Masked Rider has ridden Midnight Matador.
Scope and Content
The materials contain information regarding the history of the Texas
Tech Masked Rider program. The collection is alphabetized, however, a chronological, annotated listing of
the Masked Riders and their horses is included.
Index Terms
The subject headings used by the Southwest Collection/Special
Collections Library are derived from the Library of Congress and/or locally
developed.
Subjects (Persons)
Fulton, Joe
Kirk
Lynch, Anne C.
Subjects
Mascots--Texas
Mascots--Texas--Lubbock
Sports team
mascots--Texas--Lubbock
Texas Tech
University--Mascots
Texas Technological
College--Mascots
Acquisition
Collection accession #(s):
1990-0152-B, 1999-0291-B, 2003-0166-A
Gifts, 1990-2003
Access Restrictions
Open for research
Processed by
Lynn Whitfield, 1999
Preferred Citation
Masked Rider Records, 1938-2011, Southwest Collection/Special
Collections Library, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas
Related Materials in the Southwest Collection/Special Collections
Library:
Joe Kirk Fulton oral history interview [sound recording], 1980
George M. Tate oral history interview [sound recording], 1990
Ralph L. Sellmeyer Photographs, 1920-1970
Collection Inventory
Manuscripts
1
1
Abney, Michael "Dusty,
1998-1999
1
2
Aufill, Jennifer A.,
1983-1984
1
3
Bell, Amy,
2006-2007
1
4
Brugin, Justin,
2005-2006
1
5
Burns, Kevin,
2007-2008
1
6
Cade, Larry,
1977-1978
1
7
Campbell, Kathleen,
1980-1981
1
8
Carruth, Johnny Bob,
1968-2003
1
9
Carruth, Kathryn "Katie",
2001-2002
1
10
Chadwell, Christi,
2010-2011
1
11
Church, Perry Joe,
1982-1987
1
12
Cloyd, Jim,
1956-1987
1
13
Durfey, Bill,
1962-1989
1
14
Fulton, Joe Kirk,
1953-1998 and
undated
1
15
Ghost Riders
2003 and
undated
1
16
Gilbreath, Lesley,
2000-2001
1
17
Gilbreath, Lisa,
1993-1994
1
18
Harris, Kurt,
1981-1982
1
19
Hertzog, Ashley,
2008-2009
1
20
Hight, Brianne,
2009-2010
1
21
History of the Masked Rider,
1938-2011
1
22
Holland, Ben,
2003
1
23
Hollar, Donald "Polly",
1957-1963
1
24
Hollar, Douglas, "Nubbin",
1963-1988
1
25
Hopping, Coke,
1979-1980
1
26
Horses, Masked Rider,
1963-2004
1
27
Hudspeth, J. R. "Russ",
1955-1988
1
28
Jeffers, Randy,
1971-1989
1
29
Jenkins, Daniel,
1986-1987
1
30
Key, Jarrell,
1985-1986
1
31
Key, Ralynn,
1991-1992
1
32
King, Joe Kim,
1975-1989
1
33
Labnier, Zurick,
1984-1985
1
34
Lemons, Blaine,
1990-1991
1
35
Lynch, Anne C.,
1974-1975
1
36
Martin, Tommy,
1970-1984
1
37
Masked Raider Statue Debate,
1990
1
38
McDougal, Becky,
1997-1998
1
39
Melvin, Jessica,
2002-2004
1
40
Nobles, Gerald,
1973-1974
1
41
Puckitt, Lee W.,
1978-1979
1
42
Raider Red,
1971-2008
1
43
Reed, Martha,
1996-1997
1
44
Reunion of Masked Raiders,
1968
1
45
Reunion of Masked Raiders,
1984
1
46
Rhea, J. H. "Hud",
1959-1988
1
47
Saunders, Kim,
1987
1
48
Self, JoLynn,
1995
1
49
Skinner, Bradley,
2011-2012
1
50
Smart, Amy,
1994-1995
1
51
Spence, Jason,
1992-1993
1
52
Stockard, Stacy,
2004-2005
1
53
Tate, George,
1937-1985
1
54
Thorne, Travis,
1999-2000
1
55
Tinnin, Tonya,
1989
1
56
Waggoner, Kelly,
1961-1962
1
57
Wall, Jess,
1976-1989
1
58
Whitehead, Lea,
1988-1989
1
59
Wilson, Douglas "Dink",
1964-1989 and
undated