The Masked Rider has been riding a dark horse for Texas Tech since the 1954 Gator Bowl. The tradition of many horses and many riders wearing the Scarlet and Black goes back nearly 70 years. Over the past two decades, there has been an annual change for the masked rider, but for the first time since 2013, Texas Tech has a new official masked rider horse.
The fearless champion has been hitting as many games since 2013, missing two games due to injury. An incredible run for a horse whose real name is Woody. In a funny twist, Woody is being replaced by Buzz.
Texas Tech and United Supermarkets held a contest to name the horse and landed on the new name on the eve of the new season. It was announced on September 2nd at the First Friday Art Trail, on the grounds of Buddy Holly Hall.
The new name, chosen entirely from competition and not by the marketing staff for Texas Tech, is the Centennial Champion.
Another, more obvious ode to the former fearless champion, is Texas Tech’s centennial, which the university will celebrate from December 2022 to December 2023. The 100th anniversary of Texas Tech’s new horse and the name of the new horse.
The name isn’t my favorite, but I totally understand and appreciate the brand continuity Texas Tech is going for. If you are all at the incredible centenary, you should all enter.
See: Centennial Champion.
Maybe Texas Tech can lock up a new horse championship or two.
