Transfer of Reigns: Say Hi to Texas Tech’s 64th Masked Rider!

Texas Tech University has many time-honored traditions but there is one that has stood the test of time, a long time to be honest. Of course I'm referring to the Masked Rider!

Read More: Texas' Oldest University Mascots

Name a more iconic gun-toting redheaded cowboy besides Yosemite Sam... I'll wait.

Who is the Current Texas Tech Masked Rider?

Texas Tech is happy to welcome Rose Rosas as the 64th Masked Rider!

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Rosas will hold this historic title for the 2025-2026 season, and 71 years of tradition have all accumulated into this junior year animal science major student taking the reins.

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Rosas, a first generation college student, officially took over on April 18 after the previous Masked Rider, Sydney Caro, hung up her hat and mask for good.

Who is the Masked Rider at Texas Tech University?

For those who may not be familiar, the Texas Tech Masked Rider tradition has its origin way back in 1954 when Tech student Joe Kirk Fulton stunned onlookers during a football game with his unique display.

Riding atop a black horse wearing Levi jeans, a red shirt, a black cape and cowboy hat, Fulton rode out onto the field ahead of the Texas Tech football team. Texas Tech was filled with so much school spirit after the ordeal that they went on to blow the other team out of the water that day.

DID YOU KNOW? Did you know that Tech sports teams were originally called the 'Matadors' until the 1930's when the term 'Red Raiders' was popularized by a journalist?

Since the first appearance of the Masked Rider, there have been 64 students who have donned the mask and reins for Tech football games keeping the tradition alive.

You can read all about the Transfer of Reins ceremony as well as the history of the Masked Rider on the Texas Tech website.

Guns up!