Education
Masked Rider Named to USA Today Sports Reader’s Choice Awards Top 10 - Texas Tech University
Texas Tech's Masked Rider landed at No.
The ranking comes from a reader survey conducted by USA Today. The Masked Rider also pulled the No. 1 spot specifically among live mascots nationally, a separate distinction recognizing the tradition of an actual horse and rider rather than a costumed character. For a program that's competed against schools with massive fan bases and decades of national exposure, placing above every other Big 12 mascot is no small thing.
For people here in Lubbock, the Masked Rider is one of those sights that never really gets old. The pregame entrance at Jones AT&T Stadium, horse at full gallop with the flag cutting through the West Texas wind, is the kind of moment that travels well on video and apparently travels well in national polls too. Stephanie Rhode, who directs the Spirit Program at Texas Tech, called the recognition an incredible honor for the Masked Rider Program.
The Masked Rider is one of two mascots at Texas Tech, alongside Raider Red, but it's clearly the one turning heads outside Lubbock.
Common questions
Where did Texas Tech's Masked Rider rank in the USA Today mascot poll?
- The Masked Rider came in at No. 4 overall in the country in USA Today Sports' Reader's Choice Awards for Best College Mascot, announced August 26. It also ranked first among all live mascots nationally and finished ahead of every other Big 12 school.
What makes the Masked Rider's No. 1 live mascot ranking different from the overall ranking?
- The live mascot distinction is a separate category recognizing schools where an actual horse and rider represent the program, rather than a costumed character. The Masked Rider topped that category nationally, setting Texas Tech apart from most major college programs.
Stay in the loop
Weekly Lubbock news, deals, and events. Free.