This weekend, Texas Tech University celebrated homecoming once again. The Hollywood-themed event kicked off festivities with its annual homecoming parade at a new day and time.
Friday at 6 p.m., the parade began its usual route, starting on Broadway with a huge audience there to see the trail of spirited Red Raiders. The Goin’ Band from Raiderland was the leader of the parade, with the Tech spirit squads, President M. Duane Nellis and the homecoming court following behind.
Tech’s Greek and student organizations were the highlight of the parade, showing off their massive floats covered in tissue paper, which freshmen and older members worked hard to “pomp” all week. Among the Hollywood-themed floats were Delta Gamma’s and Alpha Tau Omega’s “Top Gun” and Alpha Chi Omega’s and Sigma Nu’s “Great Gatsby.”
The homecoming crowd moved on to the United Supermarkets Arena at 7:30 p.m. to check out the pep rally, which was held in the USA for the first time, and the addition of a new event, “Showtime,” was combined with the pep rally this year and was held by the Tech basketball teams.
After an introduction by the band and spirit squad, who mixed things up dancing in the dark with green, glow-in-the-dark batons, there were quite a few dance numbers by the dance team and Student Organization Sing winners, as well as basketball contests for the chance to win ridiculous amounts of money. While the contestants put forth their all in the half-court shot challenge worth $10,000 and the 30-second shootout with a prize of $25,000, unfortunately no one succeeded.
The volleyball, softball, track and field, and baseball teams were introduced to the crowd who filled up more than half of the stadium, but the basketball players’ introductions stole the show.
Players from the women’s and men’s teams were paired up and dressed as couples from movies and TV shows — like Carrie and Big from “Sex and the City” or “Mr. and Mrs. Smith.” The couples strutted down a red carpet to answer questions about their favorite shows, personal lives or athletic goals. The explosive flames that shot into the air behind the announcer and couples were a thrilling addition to “Showtime” –attendees could literally feel the heat from the stands. Perhaps they were just getting everyone ready for the next event right outside the stadium, the traditional bonfire.
Image courtesy of Brooke Stewart.
Dedicated Red Raiders moved from the USA to the rugby fields to brave the cold for the bonfire. As the pep rally came to a close, a large crowd gathered in anticipation for a spirited rally led by the Saddle Tramps. Paired with the Goin’ Band, the Saddle Tramps got the crowd fired up with various school spirit chants and songs. After a long wait, due to a delay in the schedule, each Saddle Tramp received a torch and ceremoniously lit the bonfire one by one. The massive, beautifully lit fire was a sight to see and perfectly set the stage for the 34-21 win over the the University of Kansas Jayhawks.
About Nicole Crites and Ali Holdridge
