The Texas Tech mascot horse is a beloved symbol of the university. The horse, named Fearless Champion, has been a part of Texas Tech's traditions for many years. Fearless Champion is a beautiful black horse that leads the football team onto the field before each home game. Fearless Champion is not just any ordinary horse, however. He is a symbol of strength and courage, representing the fighting spirit of the Texas Tech community. The horse is often seen alongside the Masked Rider, who rides Fearless Champion during football games.
The horse is often seen alongside the Masked Rider, who rides Fearless Champion during football games. The tradition of the Texas Tech mascot horse dates back to 1936 when the Masked Rider, a student chosen to represent the spirit of the university, first rode onto the field. Since then, many horses have held the honor of being the mascot horse.
Texas Tech’s Newest Horse Gets a Timely Stage Name
The Masked Rider has been officially riding a black horse for Texas Tech since the Gator Bowl in 1954. Many horses and many riders have donned the scarlet and black with the tradition spanning nearly 70 years. In the last couple of decades, it's been a yearly turnover for the Masked Rider, but for the first time since 2013, Texas Tech has a new official Masked Rider horse.
Fearless Champion ran most of the games since 2013 with a couple of games missed due to injury. An incredible run for the horse whose real name is Woody. In a funny turn of irony, Woody is being replaced by Buzz.
Texas Tech and United Supermarkets ran a contest for naming the horse and landed on Buzz's new stage name on the eve of the 2022 season. It was announced at the First Friday Art Trail on September 2nd at the Buddy Holly Hall patio.
The new name, which was totally picked from the contest and not a marketing employee for Texas Tech, is Centennial Champion.
An ode to the previous Fearless Champion and another, more obvious ode, to the upcoming Texas Tech Centennial celebration which the University will be celebrating from December 2022 through December 2023. The 100th year of Texas Tech's existence matches up perfectly with the new horse and the name of the new horse.
The name is not my favorite, but I totally understand it and do appreciate the brand continuity that Texas Tech is going for. If you're all in on the Centennial celebration, which is going to be incredible, you have to be all in.
See: Centennial Champion.
Maybe Texas Tech can lock in a championship or two for the new horse.
Senior Lauren Bloss is the 62nd Masked Rider for the Texas Tech University Spirit Program. Bloss is an Animal Science major with a concentration in equine production and is minoring in Psychology. She is the daughter of Leigh and Wendy Bloss and grew up in El Paso where she has been riding since she was five and competitively since she was 12. Her older brother Justin Bloss played tennis at Texas Tech. Bloss's grandmother owned and bred Thoroughbred racehorses for over five decades. She competed in hunter jumper and equitation and has been part of the Texas Tech Equestrian Team and competed at the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA) at the advanced level in both English and Western show.
Fearless Champion is not just a mascot, but a beloved member of the Texas Tech family. He is taken care of by a team of handlers who ensure his well-being and safety. Fearless Champion is regularly involved in community events and parades, where he is adored by fans young and old. The name "Fearless Champion" perfectly captures the spirit of the Texas Tech community. It represents the tenacity and determination that Texas Tech students, alumni, and fans embody. Fearless Champion is a symbol of the university's motto, "From here, it's possible," inspiring all who see him to strive for greatness. In conclusion, the Texas Tech mascot horse, Fearless Champion, is a cherished symbol of the university. His presence at football games and community events brings joy to fans and serves as a reminder of the fighting spirit of the Texas Tech community. Fearless Champion symbolizes the university's motto and inspires all who encounter him to be fearless in pursuing their dreams..
Reviews for "The Texas Tech Mascot Horse Name Debate: Old vs. New"
1. Emily - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with the Texas Tech mascot horse name. I had always heard such great things about the university's traditions, but this one fell flat for me. The name just seemed uninspired and generic. I was expecting something more creative and unique to embody the spirit of the university. Overall, it left me feeling underwhelmed.
2. Michael - 1 star - I couldn't believe it when I heard the Texas Tech mascot horse name. It was such a letdown. I was expecting something powerful and representative of the university's Texas roots, but the name just didn't deliver. It felt like a missed opportunity to create a strong and memorable symbol for the university. I hope they reconsider and come up with something better in the future.
3. Jessica - 3 stars - While the Texas Tech mascot horse name wasn't terrible, it certainly wasn't impressive either. It felt like a safe and generic choice that didn't stand out in any way. Considering the rich history and traditions of Texas Tech, I was hoping for something more unique and meaningful. It's not a bad name, but it just didn't live up to my expectations.