Raider Red Wins National Championship for Second Consecutive Year

April 11, 2022

Texas Tech University’s beloved mascot once again took first place at the NCA & NDA Collegiate Cheer and Dance Championships.

Texas Tech University's mascot, Raider Red, took home a win Saturday (April 9) from the National Cheerleaders Association (NCA) & National Dance Alliance (NDA) Collegiate Cheer and Dance Championships in Daytona Beach, Florida.

Raider Red finished first place in the Mascot division for the second year running with a score of 93.2778, beating out Georgia Tech's “Buzz” by 0.1111 points and the University of Missouri-Columbia's “Truman the Tiger” by 2.7778.

“I'm very proud of Raider Red,” said Bruce Bills, head cheer and mascot coach for Texas Tech. “This group of students was so determined all year in developing and designing the perfect skit. They came up with the theme and worked with our corporate sponsor, Texas Tech Credit Union, to create the perfect props and set.”

Raider Red performed a 90-second “Trip to New York”-themed skit complete with multiple, well-designed props. Mascots were judged on characterization, skit creativity, crowd leading, dance, prop effectiveness and overall performance.

“Raider Red performed the skit perfectly,” Bills continued. “I'm so proud of how they represented Texas Tech! Winning back-to-back is hard but they pulled it off, and I'm so thrilled for them.”

“It's so hard to win a national championship at the collegiate level and even tougher to win back-to-back titles,” said Stephanie Rhode, director of the Spirit Program. “These Raider Red students are to be commended for their dedication to Texas Tech and to the Raider Red program.”

Raider Red wasn't the only winner this weekend. On Friday (April 8), Texas Tech's Co-Ed Cheer Squad earned second place in the Division 1A Co-Ed Cheer category, less than two-tenths of a point behind first-place Oklahoma State University.

tags: Achievements, Feature Stories, Spirit, TTU Features

Texas Tech University

A new era of excellence is dawning at Texas Tech University as it stands on the cusp of being one of the nation's premier research institutions.

Research and enrollment numbers are at record levels, which cement Texas Tech's commitment to attracting and retaining quality students. In fall 2020, the university achieved a goal more than a decade in the making, reaching a total student population of more than 40,000. In 2018, the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education again placed Texas Tech among its top doctoral universities in the nation in the “Very High Research Activity” category. Texas Tech is one of 94 public institutions nationally and 131 overall to achieve this prestigious recognition.

Quality students need top-notch faculty. Texas Tech is home to a diverse, highly revered pool of educators who excel in teaching, research and service. The university strives to foster an environment that celebrates student accomplishment above all else. Texas Tech is large enough to provide the best in facilities and academics but prides itself on being able to focus on each student individually.

The momentum for excellence at Texas Tech has never been greater.

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Spirit Squads

The Texas Tech Spirit Program is part of the Center for Campus Life office, a division of Undergraduate Education & Student Affairs.

The Spirit Squads lead the fans in supporting the teams at football, basketball, and volleyball games. They serve as ambassadors not only at athletic events, but also at many different school functions. In addition, the Spirit Squads gladly participate in their community by volunteering at local schools, charity events, and youth organizations.

Being a proud part of the Texas Tech Spirit Program is more than just a year-round commitment. It means dedication from each member to maintain the school spirit of the students, the alumni, and the fans.

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Raider Red

Raider Red is Texas Tech's costumed, public relations mascot. Before the 1971 football season, the Southwest Conference passed a rule which restricted the bringing of live animal mascots to out of town games. Thus, the Masked Rider, Tech's official mascot, would not be able to travel representing the university. Jim Gaspard, a member of the male spirit organization, Saddle Tramps, created the Raider Red character from drawings from Dirk West to represent Tech at away football games.

Raider Red shakes hands with the crowds at athletic events and poses for pictures. He attends football games, men's and women's basketball games, women's volleyball, as well as men's baseball. You can also find Raider Red making appearances at women's tennis matches, softball games, and around the Lubbock community.

Prior to 2005, only members of the Saddle Tramps were able to serve as Raider Red. In 2005, the Center for Campus Life formed a partnership with the Saddle Tramps and extended the offer to the High Riders, a female spirit organization. Center for Campus Life and these two spirit organizations combine efforts in maintaining Raider Red. The students' identity who serves as Raider Red is kept secret from the Tech community and public. Students serving as Raider Red must be a part of one of these organizations to be eligible to tryout. Tryouts are held each spring.

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