THURSDAY, MAY 4, 2023 VOLUME 98 ISSUE 8
By AYNSLEY LARSEN Staff Writer
April 2023 marked the unveiling of Raider Reds Sydney Aalbers and Nathan Dudley, both of whom served in the program for two years and aimed to make the role their own. Both Aalbers and Dudley grew up with aspirations to wear the suit and in earning the position brought personality and character to the role of Raider Red. Bruce Bills, Tech’s head cheer, STUNT and mascot coach, oversees the Raider Red program and described exactly what being in the suit entails. “Raider Red is Texas Tech costumed public relations mascot, so he goes around shaking hands, takes pictures with fans, greets people at community events, school events as well as all the Tech athletic events,” Bills said. The selection process for Raider Red is an arduous one; candidates are required to have participated for at least in year in either the High Rider or Saddle Tramp organizations and
By ARIANA FLORES Editor-in-Chief
Caroline Hobbs, a junior animal science student and the 61st Masked Rider, transferred the reins April 21, ending a year-long tenure as the face of Texas Tech’s oldest mascot. Hobbs rode in on Fearless Champion ahead of the first football game of the 2022 season before transferring to Centennial Champion in the midst of her tenure. “I had a lot of footsteps to follow from past riders, but Fearless helped me. It was nice to have him when I first got the job because I kind of was able to figure out what I was supposed to do as the rider,” Hobbs said. “Then once we introduced Centennial into the program, it was nice because I could show him what to do.” Despite the difference in age and experience between the two horses, Hobbs said nurturing both personalities was a smooth
applications are followed by interviews and character walks to determine the best fit for Tech’s mascot. Having worked with Aalbers and Dudley for the past two years, Bills is familiar with the work ethic, dedication and identity each brought to the role. “This year, as the main ones, they really kept the characterization of Raider
Aalbers, a graduate student from Burleson studying agricultural communication, started as a mascot for her middle and high schools. With both parents being Tech graduates, Raider Red put a face to her passions, providing a platform that represented her parents’ alma mater and gave her the opportunity to continue in this role she loved. “Growing up with my
Red and the personality of it alive,” Bills said. “They attend events, they were great in costume to where they would bring their own little personal creativity.”
parents coming to Tech, that’s what I saw,” Aalbers said. “I think growing up and not seeing as many women in the program, that also made me want
transition. “(Fearless Champion and Centennial Champion) had the same spontaneous and loving personality,” Hobbs said. “So, it was cool to see the difference between each horse and how they kind of interacted with people and whatnot.” Hobbs made her football debut alongside Centennial Champion and head football coach Joey McGuire. The Lubbock native said this debut was special to her because of her history and ties to Tech while growing up. “Football was one of the best memories you know, especially the first game, running him down, like knowing that I ran a brand-new horse down the field for the first time, along with sharing the field with a new coach,” Hobbs said. “It was just an amazing feeling knowing that we were both going in, between me, Centennial Champion and coach McGuire going in for our first time was kind of surreal.”
In her 303 appearances as the Masked Rider, Hobbs was able to showcase her dedication and love for Tech, while touching the lives of others.
“Little kids come up saying I want to be you when you grow up. ... its not I want to be Caroline Hobbs when I grow up, (it’s) I want to be the Texas Tech Masked Rider,” Hobbs said. “Being able to be the one in that position to touch people’s lives and influence kids to want to
to do it more. The interactions that we get to have with people and the places we get to go and being able to represent Tech, it’s given me so much. Being Raider Red is just a small way to give back to it.” Aalbers’s appearances as Raider Red ranged from weddings to funerals, from church events to marketing photo shoots. Aalbers made over 300 appearances in costume, comparing the role to a full-time, 24/7 job. Despite the commitment, Aalbers emphasized how rewarding the position was. “Being able to make other people happy and just kind of be a light, it was everything,” Aalbers said. “It’s what the job is all about, and that’s why we want to do it.” As she moves forward, Aalbers will carry her time as Raider Red as both an accomplishment and an opportunity. Her commitment to the role is a testament to both her dedication and passion for Texas Tech, and serving as Raider Red allowed her an outlet for that passion. “It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for sure,”
do that when they grew up was such an amazing feeling. You know, being able to share the love.” One piece of advice Hobbs gave Lauren Bloss, a college friend and the newly named Masked Rider, is to take every moment in, because in a blink it will be the last ride. “(Caroline) has just been really a friend through all of this and mentor and just has helped me, you know, telling me all about Centennial Champion,” Bloss, El Paso native, said. “What makes him happy, what makes him sad, like all the things about him and just the different details about the job, things that you wouldn’t really think that you would have to remember, and she gave me all
Aalbers said. “It’s hard to describe because we get to do so many things and meet so many people, and there’s so many great stories that we all have. I would not trade any of it for the world. I absolutely love it.” Dudley, a fourth-year Lubbock native studying sports management, grew up with Raider Red appearances and did not miss the chance to make the same impact by taking on the role himself. “I saw Raider Red when I was a kid at my elementary school when I went to
sporting events on campus. It brought me and a lot of my friends happiness,” Dudley said. “So when I got the opportunity from being in Saddle Tramps, I just kind of went for it.” Dudley served over 300 appearances as Raider Red, with events including the New York Stock Exchange and performances at Daytona with the Tech cheer team. Though taxing, Dudley highlighted the reason he kept putting on the suit, even after the most tiring events. “We had to put that suit SEE RED RAIDER, PG. 5
those in a note page.” The 62nd Masked Rider said Hobbs showed her the ropes in being a part of the Tech community and through endless communication and mentorship, the legacy of being the Masked Rider continues. “(Caroline) has also been kind of there for me as a friend and just helped me along the way. And even though I still give her a call like, ‘Hey, like, what do you do in this situation? How can I do better?’” Bloss, a senior animal science major, said. “So, we’re super close. Honestly,
it’s just been like a good friendship, a way to grow our friendship.” Hobbs ends her tenure with long-lasting memories and what she says is a full Snapchat memories, filled with behind-the-scenes photos of her and Centennial Champion. “You want to be able to look back and remember, remember all the amazing times you’ve had because it was just such an amazing year and such an amazing opportunity that we were given to fulfill our dream,” Hobbs said.
CARLOS GONZALEZ/The Daily Toreador