Traditions
Below are just a few of the traditions that we participate in throughout the year.
Midnight Raiders
Midnight Raiders takes place on Thursday nights before every home football game. The Saddle Tramps wrap the Will Rogers statue with crepe paper. Also, Streamers are hung from the coaches’ tower, band tower, and light poles all over campus. After Will is wrapped, the Saddle Tramps circle the horse to sing the Fight Song, Matador Song, and pledge class songs.
Football
The Saddle Tramps open every home game with a bell circle. The Saddle Tramps welcome the team on and off the field.
Homecoming
The Saddle Tramps are an important part in the homecoming tradition. They participate in the homecoming parade. In addition, they construct the bonfire for the homecoming pep rally.
Victory Bells: The Saddle Tramps ring the victory bells for 30 minutes after every football, basketball, and baseball win.
The Seal
Whenever a big rival like Texas A&M or University of Texas comes for a home football game the Saddle Tramps guard the seal and other important Texas Tech landmarks.
Raider Red
The mascot Raider Red was created by the Saddle Tramps. Raider Red attends men’s and women’s athletic events, pep rallies, and visits elementary and high schools.
Carol of Lights
This tradition is celebrated throughout the month of December. The campus buildings, which line the Broadway entrance to Memorial Circle, the Science Quadrangle and the Engineering Key, are covered in lights. The Saddle Tramps start this ceremony with a torch-lighted parade, which precedes seasonal music and the lighting of campus. It occurs on the first Friday of December.
