Red Raider Sports Magazine - April/May 2015

RedRaiderSports.com

1

Are you led by your goals or pushed by your fears?

Are Areyou youled ledby byyour yourgoals goals or orpushed pushedby byyour yourfears? fears?

When it comes to financial security, we help make sense of your money today so you don’t When When itcomes comes totofinancial financial security, security, wewehelp help have toitworry about tomorrow.

Whether just make make sense sense ofofyour your money money today sosoyou don’t building your nest egg or readytoday to hatch ityou –don’t PFG have haveAdvisors totoworry worryabout about tomorrow. tomorrow.

Whether Whether just will help make sure you arejust led building building yournest nestegg egg orornot ready ready totohatch hatch it it– –PFG PFG byyour your goals and pushed by your fears.

Advisors Advisorswill willhelp helpmake makesure sureyou youare areled led bybyyour goalsand andnot notpushed pushed byyour your fears.

Call usyour forgoals more information onbyhow tofears. make sense of your money matters. It’s what we do.

Call Callususfor formore moreinformation informationononhow howtotomake make sense senseofofyour yourmoney moneymatters. matters.It’s It’swhat whatwewedo. do.

J.C. Chambers CLU

Van A. Echols

Jay R. Eagan

Paul J. Scioli

CFP®

CLU, ChFC, MSFS

CLU, ChFC, MSPFP

PFG Advisors 6010 82nd Street PFG PFG Advisors Advisors Suite 100 6010 6010 82nd 82nd Street Street Lubbock, TX 79424 Suite Suite 100 100 806.791.8555 Lubbock, Lubbock, TXTX 79424 79424 806.791.8555 806.791.8555 www.advisorspfg.com www.advisorspfg.com www.advisorspfg.com

T. Scott Maples CLTC, SpecialCare Planner

Brian K. Pitaniello CLU, ChFC, CFBS

J.C.J.C. Chambers Chambers Van A. Echols A.planning Echols servicesJay Jay R. Eagan R. MML Eagan Paul Paul J.LLC, Scioli J. Scioli Scott T. Scott Maples Maples Brian Brian K.Lubbock, Pitaniello K. Pitaniello Securities, investment advisory, andVan financial through Investors Services, member SIPC,T.6010 82nd Street, Suite 100, TX 79424 CLU CLU CFP® CFP® CLU, CLU, ChFC, ChFC, MSFS MSFS CLU, CLU, ChFC, ChFC, MSPFP MSPFP CLTC, CLTC, SpecialCare SpecialCare Planner Planner CLU, CLU, ChFC, ChFC, CFBS CFBS (806) 795-9393. PFG Advisors is not a subsidiary or affiliate of MML Investors Services, LLC, or its affiliated companies.

Jay R. Eagan CA Insurance License No. OC58123 | Paul J. Scioli ARMML Insurance License No. 231108 | member BrianSIPC, K. SIPC, Pitaniello ARStreet, Insurance License No. 231110 Securities, Securities, investment investment advisory, advisory, andand financial financial planning planning services services through through MML Investors Investors Services, Services, LLC,LLC, member 6010 6010 82nd 82nd Street, Suite Suite 100,100, Lubbock, Lubbock, TX 79424 TX 79424 BCC2832 CRN204510-175723 (806) 795-9393.

795-9393.

PFGPFG Advisors Advisors is not is not a subsidiary a subsidiary or affiliate or affiliate of MML of MML Investors Investors Services, Services, LLC,LLC, or its or affiliated its affiliated companies. companies.

2(806) RedRaiderSports.com JayJay R. Eagan R. Eagan CA CA Insurance Insurance License License No.No. OC58123 OC58123 | Paul | Paul J. Scioli J. Scioli AR AR Insurance Insurance License License No.No. 231108 231108 | Brian | Brian K. Pitaniello K. Pitaniello AR AR Insurance Insurance License License No.No. 231110 231110

RedRaiderSports.com

3

MichaelHawk Logan Strong

RedRaiderSports.com

4

RED RAIDER

sports.com

RedRaiderSports.com is a publication of TRI Productions Volume 20 Issue 4 Managing Editor

Aaron Dickens

Cover Photo

Texas Tech Athletics

Photographers

Logan Hawk Norvelle Kennedy Michael Strong TTU Athletics

Writers

Doug Hensley

Will McKay

Red Raider Sports (USPS 0013-768) is published bimonthly in February, April, June, August, October and December. Single issues cost $4.95. Annual Red Raider Club membership dues of $200 or higher include $16 for a one-year subscription to Red Raider Sports Magazine.

Red Raider Sports is a publication of TRI Productions, P.O. Box 53604, Lubbock, TX 79453, 806.786.4860. Periodicals postage is paid in Lubbock, Texas. Address all editorial-related correspondence to Red Raider Sports, P.O. Box 53604, Lubbock, TX 79453.

Red Raider Sports is not an official publication of Texas Tech University.

Postmaster: Send address changes to Red Raider Sports, P.O. Box 53604, Lubbock, TX 79453. For subscription inquiries contact the Red Raider Club at 806.742.1196. Give old and new addresses and enclose latest mailing address label when writing about your subscription.

Š2015 TRI Productions. All Rights Reserved.

RedRaiderSports.com

5

Update

Your Red Raider Club From Director Amy M. Heard

The spring semester has provided a number of memorable moments within Texas Tech Athletics.

As the 2014-2015 athletics year continues to wind down, several of our programs are making strong pushes to close out their respective seasons.

Lady

Raider

Tennis

achieved

its

highest

national ranking in program history following back-to-back wins over Oklahoma State and Baylor in late March.

Red Raider Tennis has

The end of the season ticket renewal and upgrade process also signals that football season is right around the corner. A big THANK YOU goes out to all of you who renewed or upgraded your season tickets and parking for the 2015 season!

Your continued support is what makes Jones AT&T Stadium the greatest environment in all of college football. If you still need to purchase or add new season tickets, contact the Red Raider Club or Athletics Ticket Office to make sure you get the best remaining seats in the house.

also consistently held a ranking within the top 25 and holds marquee victories over Notre Dame and Mississippi State. Red Raider Golf’s Matias Dominguez recently made history as the first current member of the Texas Tech Men’s Golf team to qualify for the 2015 Masters Tournament. Don’t forget to keep an eye on Red Raider Baseball as they look towards the 2015 Phillips 66 Big 12 Championship.

Mark your calendars now as The Rawls Course

As a final reminder, the 2015 Red Raider Club drive year is coming to a close on May 31, 2015.

I encourage you to visit RedRaiderClub.com and review the membership benefits one final time to make sure you are at your desired level.

Still need to take care of your 2015 donation?

You can do so by contacting our office at 806.7421196 or at rrc@ttu.edu. Our staff is always here to help with any questions that you may have!

plays host to the 2015 NCAA Men’s Golf Regional Tournament on May 14-16, 2015. I urge all Red Raider fans to flock to come out and support Red Raider Golf. This tournament will provide an excellent opportunity to showcase our first-class golf facility, our outstanding men’s golf studentathletes and Lubbock’s incredible hospitality.

Help us create an environment that pushes our Red Raiders on to a tournament victory!

6

RedRaiderSports.com

Amy M. Heard

Red Raider Club Director

RedRaiderSports.com

7

8

RedRaiderSports.com

We’d like to thank our members for helping us score an “89” in the recent American Customer Satisfaction* Index.

Your feedback puts South Plains Electric Cooperative a full 14 points higher than the utility industry average.

Even though ACSI recognizes “customer” satisfaction, South Plains Electric members are in fact “owners.” That’s an important distinction. And it’s why we strive to provide a level of service that’s second to none.

Naturally, we’re honored. But it won’t go to our head. We’ll remain the dependable source of electricity our members never have to think twice about. Unless, of course, they’re being surveyed by the ACSI.

South Plains Electric Cooperative, Inc.

Looking out for you.

SPEC.COOP • LIKE US ON FACEBOOK

RedRaiderSports.com

*Touchstone Energy ACSI member ratings using the ACSI customer satisfaction survey questions are compared to the ACSI ratings of residential customers of the U.S. largest investor-owned energy utilities.

9

10

RedRaiderSports.com TTU Athletics

TTU AThletics

TTU Athletics

More than Sports Catching up with former Red Raider baseball great Clint Bryant

b y D O U G H E N S L EY

Former Texas Tech baseball player Clint Bryant’s playing days are well behind him, but he still stays engaged with athletics. Now, nearly 20 years after his career on the South Plains ended, Bryant sticks to cheering on his children as they pursue their athletic interests and, of course, rooting for the Red Raiders.

And he loves every minute of it.

Bryant and his wife, Donna, met at Tech and have been married 17 years. At the center of their world are 12-year-old daughter Elle (who plays volleyball); 9-year-old daughter Kennedy (a competitive cheerleader) and 5-year-old Becket (rookie T-baller).

The Bryants live in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex and enjoy life and family. “I’ve been here since 1997,” Bryant said. “We like it. We have lots of friends and lots to do, and the kids keep us busy.”

Bryant was a hometown product that starred for the Texas Tech baseball team from 1993-96 after a sterling high school career at Lubbock Monterey. He was the first player in Red Raider history to earn consecutive AllAmerica honors, and was named the Southwest Conference’s most valuable player in his final two seasons.

Bryant was drafted in the 1996 MLB Amateur Draft and played that summer with the Colorado Rockies organization. He then came back to Texas Tech and finished his degree before spending two more years in the minors. Ultimately, he set his glove aside and took on a full-time role of husband, father and avid Red Raider fan.

“I called it quits in the December of 1998,” he said, “and started working in the banking business the next spring.

“I was asked to play in a men’s baseball league as soon as I got done with minor league baseball,” he said. “I went to one game. It took two and a half hours, it was way too serious, and that was the last time I picked up a baseball bat.”

He eventually gave church league softball a try, but says he hasn’t played in probably eight years. He does, however, keep up with Texas Tech’s athletic programs and was among those who went to Omaha, Nebraska, last year to watch the Red Raiders’ first College World Series appearance.

“That was great,” he said. “They were fun to watch. They are well-coached. They’re scrappy. They have great pitching. Coach (Tim) Tadlock gets a lot out of them, and it’s great to see the success they’ve had.”

Until last season, the 1995 Red Raider team that Bryant was a part of came the closest to the College World Series, falling to Stanford in the regional final after dropping consecutive one-run decisions.

“They beat us twice,” said Bryant, who remains Tech’s career leader in nine offensive categories, including games played (240) and RBI (271). “We were very disappointed.”

Bryant, one of the only two players in program history to have his jersey retired, said his days as a Red Raider remain fresh in his mind.

“It was unbelievable getting to play at Tech,” he said. “I grew up in Lubbock. I grew up a Texas Tech fan. My parents are huge Red Raider supporters, so being able to play

for the school I had watched my whole life was a lot of fun.

“I also had great teammates the whole four years I was there, and traveling together, practicing together and playing games, they become your brothers. It was a lot of fun.”

Bryant not only had great teammates, but he also played for two legendary coaches during his high school and college careers.

Former Monterey head coach Bobby Moegle built one of the most dominant programs in the state during his years with the Plainsmen while former Red Raider coach Larry Hays likewise developed highly competitive programs at Lubbock Christian and Tech.

Moegle and Hays achieved similar results, but their styles were very different.

“I was very fortunate to have two great coaches,” Bryant said. “Coach Hays was laid back and talked about being a good person and a good teammate. Coach Moegle wasn’t quite as laid back. He talked more about being competitive. They were great influences, and there were a lot of great assistant coaches like Frank Anderson and Travis Walden. I was surrounded by a lot of great coaches.”

These days, Bryant is surrounded by family and stays up to date on Red Raider athletics.

“I love being a Red Raider,” he said. “I’m a huge fan of all of Tech’s sports programs.

There is nothing I like better than seeing the Red Raiders have success, no matter what sport.”

RedRaiderSports.com

11

TTU Athletics

12

RedRaiderSports.com

TTU Athletics

Texas Tech high jumper JaCorian Duffield continues to be a leading candidate to win the Bowerman Trophy, awarded to the nation’s best track and field athlete. Duffield swept both the Big 12 and NCAA Indoor high jump championships earlier this year, clearing what was a personal-best 2.29m/7-6.0 at the time to claim the national title over teammate Bradley Adkins and become the third indoor NCAA Champion in Texas Tech history.

At the next meet in which he competed, the Texas Relays, Duffield started his outdoor season with a bang, clearing a personal-best and school-record 2.31m/7-7.0, which at the time was the No. 1 jump in the world, and is still currently the top mark in the NCAA. RedRaiderSports.com

13

ACING AUGUSTA b y W I L L M C K AY

Augusta National Golf Club is one of the most iconic golf venues in the entire world. It’s look is memorable and membership is ridiculously exclusive. Some consider it golf heaven, and would give anything for an opportunity to just walk along the fairways and on the greens of this storied course.

Without question, It hosts the most prestigious golf tournament in the entire world.The Masters is the Super Bowl of golf, and it’s likely one of the top four or five sporting events on the calendar each and every year. The legends of golf, from Arnold Palmer to Tiger Woods, have all competed and placed their marks on the history books over those four days in April. Classic golf moments pile up one after another, and earning a green jacket is the highest honor you can receive in the golf world.

In January, Texas Tech senior golfer Matias Dominguez learned he would become the first active member of the Red Raider men’s golf team to ever play at Augusta. He also became the secondever Chilean to play in the Masters, the first from his country to play in the tournament in more than 50 years. He qualified for the tournament by winning the Latin America Amateur Championship.

“It was an unbelievable feeling that I’ve never felt before -- not even close,” Dominguez said. “It was a lot of pressure and different emotions going everywhere and almost impossible to control them. At the end of the 18th hole there was just a lot of satisfaction.”

The senior Red Raider decided he was just going to go into the tournament with an appreciation for being there.

Before the tournament he said, “It’s going to be awesome to play there with the best of the best.

I don’t have any expectation other than I just want

14

RedRaiderSports.com

to enjoy the moment with my friends and family.”

Despite his own expectations, Dominguez did in fact make some noise. The Masters kicks off with a par-3 contest the day before the tournament begins. It’s a time that many spend having fun with their families while also competing to see who has the best short game among the talented group of golfers. And while the day started with not many people paying attention to him, the young amateur made an impression.

Walking up to the fourth hole in the competition, Dominguez had not done much to get noticed.

But that all changed on number four. He knocked his shot just past the hole and up a hill on the green, and the ball rolled back and into the hole for a one on the scorecard.

But, it gets even better than that. Not only did Dominguez hit a hole-in-one on four, he hit one on the same day that both Jack Nicklaus and Camilo Vilegas managed the same feat. It was a special moment for both Dominguez and Texas Tech golf.

On day one of the actual tournament, Dominguez finished at 4-over par, paired with former Masters champion Angel Cabrera and 2012 runner-up Louis Oosthuizen. Dominguez’s time at the Masters was cut short when he finished the second day a cumulative 8-over par, six more than the 2-over cut mark. Dominguez can hardly be disappointed given he managed to par 22 of the 36 holes he played.

Dominguez managed to compete in the Masters as an amateur and held his own against some of the best in the world. And, while he might not have been in contention, it was still undoubtedly a unique and memorable week in Augusta.

TTU Athletics

RedRaiderSports.com

15

16

RedRaiderSports.com

RED RAIDER CLUB SCHOLAR-ATHLETE

By Ty Parker / Athletics Communications

A

ttending college as a student athlete can be difficult enough. From workouts, competitions and traveling to attending

in Brazil and still get my academics in, which you can’t do in Brazil.”

record in singles last spring, as a freshman, while earning First Team Academic All-Big 12.

Moving to a new country to attend college would be stressful for most anyone, much less doing it while playing competitive sports.

Upon leaving Texas Tech, the sophomore has dreams to further her professional tennis career but she also chose to pursue a degree that could provide some flexibility for her future.

classes and finding time to study, student athletes are faced with a unique set of challenges that can be overwhelming.

Try doing all of it while adapting to an entirely new country.

For Texas Tech sophomore tennis player, Samantha Czarniak Rego, the entire concept of attending school while playing the sport she loves is new.

“I had never thought of coming to college before,” Czarniak Rego explained. “My dream was always to play professional tennis, but it gets really expensive, especially when you finish high school, so it started getting really hard.”

That’s where Texas Tech women’s tennis head coach Todd Petty stepped in. Petty recruited Czarniak Rego out of São Paulo, Brazil where she played tennis professionally.

When Petty explained how Czarniak Rego could play tennis while also attending college and earning a degree in the United States, it was an opportunity she couldn’t pass up.

“When Todd recruited me, he showed me the program and the amount of time we put in on the court,” she said. “In Brazil, if you want to play professional, you don’t do it with college at the same time. Here you have the ability to be studying and playing. I saw I would be able to do what I do

Czarniak Rego admits there was an adjustment period at first balancing tennis with her studies, but playing tennis throughout her childhood had actually already prepared her on how to use her time management skills.

“Since I was a kid, and since I’ve always played tennis, you’re always used to a schedule,” Czarniak Rego said. “In the beginning, it’s a lot to do and you’re a little bit lost, but once you set your times, you have the ability to do both of them and it’s awesome. Time management is the most important thing here when you’re a student athlete. It can be overwhelming sometimes, but we have tutors and coaches helping and showing you around. It was hard in the beginning but you get used to it pretty fast. The sport already helps you to be committed.”

Czarniak Rego credits her mother for instilling her passion for tennis and developing her skill level to a point where she is able to receive a degree while pursuing her lifelong dreams of playing professionally.

“My mom played tennis when she was a kid,” she said. “She played a lot of tournaments, and she gave tennis lessons. Since I was a kid, I was on the tennis court with her playing around. It’s been a big part of my life since I was a kid.”

Czarniak Rego’s background has paved the way for early success. She won a doubles title in Quiteo, Ecuador, in 2010 and another in Salvador, Brazil, in 2011. As a Lady Raider, she finished with a 7-5

“I chose finance because I like numbers, and I like math,” Czarniak Rego said. “I want to do something that I can work in the United States or in Brazil, but I would like to stay here in the USA for a bit. If I’m not going to continue to play, then hopefully work with sports.”

Czarniak Rego, the first Brazilian female to play tennis at Texas Tech, can offer a lot of advice to incoming freshman about utilizing their time and taking advantage of the Marsha Sharp Center and other resources Texas Tech provides for student-athletes.

“The Marsha Sharp Center and all of the tutors have been great,” Czarniak Rego said. “Especially for me in the beginning, it was hard with English.

I’ve had to use a lot of tutors. I’ve never had a problem that I couldn’t find a tutor. The school has a lot of options too.”

Her parents currently live in Dubai and have been able to visit once so far. Being so far away from her family has been a struggle, but being surrounded by the Red Raider community has been everything and more during Czarniak Rego’s first few semesters on the South Plains.

“The best thing about being at Texas Tech has been my team,” she said. “They are my support here. I miss my family of course, but having them around and all of the coaches, and everyone just makes me feel like I’m home.”

RedRaiderSports.com

17

Liz Parke

Texas Tech women’s golf is headed to its fifth regional in six years after being announced as one of 18 teams in the NCAA San Antonio Regional. Tech finished third in the Big 12 Conference Women’s Golf Championship, tying its best finish in program history. The Lady Raiders have finished third or better in five of its last seven tournaments and sixth or better in each one since October. Senior Stephanie Bertelsen (pictured), junior Kimmy Hill and junior Sarah Brown were named to the 2015 Big 12 All-Tournament Team.

“Really excited about the opportunity to go back to the NCAA Regionals,” head coach JoJo Robertson said.

18

RedRaiderSports.com

Liz Parke

RedRaiderSports.com

19

Logan Hawk

For the second straight year, the No. 9 Texas Tech men’s golf finished second at the Big 12 Championships but still look to be a strong force nationally after earning the program’s 14th consecutive NCAA invitation. Senior Clement Sordet (pictured) earned All-Big 12 Championship honors for the second consecutive year by virtue of a Top 10 finish, his eighth in the last 11 tournaments. Sordet paced the Red Raiders overall at 7-over, 287 and finished tied for third on the individual leaderboard. Freshmen teammates Guillermo Pereira and Wes Artac also finished in the top 10. For the first time ever, the Rawls Course at Texas Tech will be hosting a regional, held May 15-17.

20

RedRaiderSports.com

Lubbock ISD

RedRaiderSports.com

21

right

Kliff Kingsbury and his staff have made off-season adjustments that have the Red Raiders headed in the

b y W I L L M C K AY

The Texas Tech football program has checked another item off of its offseason to-do list, as the Red Raiders capped off the third year of spring football under head coach Kliff Kingsbury. Coming off a disappointing 4-8 season, things needed to change moving forward to get the program moving in the right direction.

Kingsbury did just that, hiring Houston defensive coordinator David Gibbs, who led the Cougars to the best turnover defense in the country over the last two seasons. The Red Raiders, by comparison, have been one of the absolute worst teams in the entire country in the turnover department, both on offense (too many) and defense (too few).

Kingsbury hoped to begin reversing that trend that this spring and, after 15 practices, has been pleased with the results.

“I think, first and foremost, coach Gibbs, his energy, his scheme, the way he presents the defense has had a positive effect on the whole program, and then ball security was a big issue for the offense. All three quarterbacks really protected it well. The running backs have been taking a lot of pride in it, so I’d say those were the two things that really stuck out to me.”

Running backs coach Mike Jinks, who was elevated to associate head coach in January, felt the same as Kingsbury when it came to turnovers on offense. He believes things are back on track, but he also thought the team was able to cut down on procedure penalties and personal fouls through the last month.

“Through the spring game that we had in Midland, and through the last 12 or 13 practices, we’ve really done a good job of limiting turnovers,” Jinks said. “But, not only limiting turnovers, but we’ve tried to have officials out here as many times as we possibly can, and our pre and post snap penalties, I think we’ve greatly improved on that. Then, I think if we can do those two things, then we will be a lot of fun to watch.”

Despite the focus in these areas, the headlines surrounding Texas Tech’s spring have largely revolved around the team’s quarterback competition. Pat Mahomes finished the 2014 season on a hot streak including a record-setting 598-yard passing day in the finale against Baylor. Webb’s season, on the other hand, was marred by shoulder and foot injuries that eventually sidelined him with four games left to play.

So, who has the lead in the competition? Kingsbury isn’t spilling the beans just yet, but he feels great about the two battling back and forth throughout the spring.

It will be interesting to see if the running game will become a bigger part of the offensive equation with senior tailback DeAndre Washington coming off the first 1,000-yard rushing season in Texas Tech’s Air Raid

22

RedRaiderSports.com

era. Kingsbury said he’ll do whatever it takes to win, whether it’s running or passing, but he is clearly excited to see what the Houston native will do in his final year with the team.

“Whatever it takes to win games,” Kingsbury said. “That’s our goal each week, to do whatever it takes to win the game, so we’ll see how that goes. He has that type of talent, and to have that much success in a down year shows what he can do if we really start playing well.”

Regardless, Washington’s had a great spring along with the rest of the backfield. The Red Raiders’ stable of running backs will be running behind an experienced Tech offensive line that essentially went through a checkup this spring. The team’s offensive front returns four out of five starters, including All-Big 12 left tackle Le’Raven Clark. The receiving corps was a big question mark in the spring, and the Red Raider coaching staff seems to be happy with the group’s progress across the board, but especially with Devin Lauderdale and Reginald Davis.

On defense, Pete Robertson and Branden Jackson could be one of the best defensive end duos in the Big 12 Conference, but questions abound throughout the rest of the front seven. The former JUCO transfers on the interior, who were up and mostly down last fall, had a great spring according to all reports. Rika Levi has lost more than 30 pounds and looks more nimble and athletic on his feet and Keland McElrath has become more consistent. True freshman phenom Breiden Fehoko has begun to prove his mettle and is earning a reputation as a bull on the line who just needs to develop his skillset.

At linebacker, Gibbs believes that Micah Awe might be the best player on the unit, but that’s the only thing that appears to be set in stone. Former five-star prospect and Ohio State transfer Mike Mitchell is still learning the ins and outs of the defense. Awe and Mitchell will be joined by freshman Dakota Allen and Sam Atoe as the team’s likely rotation at linebacker.

The secondary will feature the same group that played most of the reps of last fall, including Nigel Bethel, Tevin Madison, Justis Nelson and D.J. Polite-Bray at cornerback and Keenon Ward, JJ Gaines, Derrick Dixon and Jalen Barnes. This unit took its fair share of lumps in 2014, but the youngsters in the defensive backfield should be better in 2015 as a result.

Things look to be headed back in the right direction as the Red Raiders head into the summer, as young players are growing into veterans and seasoned veterans are growing into leaders. It all comes back to turnovers and if things have improved as the coaching staff believes they did this spring, then Texas Tech football could be back on track.

Logan Hawk

direction

RedRaiderSports.com

23

Norvelle Kennedy

Former Red Raider baseball coach Larry Hays was honored before one of Tech’s home games against TCU. Hays will be inducted in June into the College Baseball Hall of Fame. Hays, head coach of the Red Raiders from 1987-2008, led Tech to 813 wins, four conference championships, nine NCAA Tournament appearances and to 11 40-win seasons.

He becomes the first individual from Texas Tech to be inducted into the College Baseball Hall of Fame. Last year, Texas Tech head coach Tim Tadlock (pictured here with Hays) was honored by the College Baseball Foundation as the Skip Bertman national coach of the year.

24

RedRaiderSports.com

RedRaiderSports.com

25

Norvelle Kennedy

26

RedRaiderSports.com

Riding some timely hitting and stellar pitching, the Red Raider baseball team began its late season push to get back into the NCAA Tournament, winning two of three on the road against Texas to remain firmly in the mix of the top four teams atop the Big 12 standings. Dominic Moreno (pictured) got the Sunday start against Texas and threw six strong innings to get the win as the Red Raiders staked a 5-0 lead and held on. The series win over the ‘Horns was Tech’s second consecutive in Austin and gives the Red Raiders momentum heading into a bye week and the regular season finale the following week on the road against West Virginia.

RedRaiderSports.com

27

Logan Hawk

28

RedRaiderSports.com

With the top 16 ranked teams in the country guaranteed to host the first and second rounds of the NCAA Tournament, Tim Siegel’s Red Raiders narrowly missed out on that opportunity, ending the season ranked 17th nationally. That’s the unfortunate news... the good news is for the 14th time in program history, Texas Tech earned a spot in the field of 64. The Red Raiders opened the tournament against 62nd ranked UC Santa Barbara. The Red Raiders’ No. 17 ranking is the highest entering the NCAA Championships since entering the 2010 Championships No. 14. Tech finished the regular season with an 18-8 overall record.

RedRaiderSports.com

29

Norvelle Kennedy

Todd Petty’s Lady Raider tennis program continues to be on a roll. For the second time in three years, Tech will host the first and second rounds of the NCAA Women’s Tennis Championships. This comes on the heels of the Lady Raiders’ first ever appearance in the Big 12 Tournament finals. Texas Tech is making its school-record fourth straight appearance in the NCAA Championships. The Lady Raiders won 19 regular season matches for just the fourth time in school history. The No. 16 ranking is the highest in school history entering the Championships after hosting in 2013 as the No. 17 team in the nation.

30

RedRaiderSports.com

RedRaiderSports.com

31

Learn more at slategroup.com

32

RedRaiderSports.com

Norvelle Kennedy

After starting league play 0-6, things looked bleak for the Texas Tech softball team and first year coach Adrian Gregory. But instead of packing it in for the year, Gregory’s Red Raiders found their stride and won their last four conference series, the first time in program history to run off four consecutive Big 12 series wins. Devon Thomey (pictured) was named Big 12 Player of the Week after the Red Raiders took two of three from Texas (also a program first). Tech finished the season 25-26 and 9-9 in league play. Gregory loses five seniors but has already made an impact on the recruiting trail and will look to build on this year’s sizzling finish.

RedRaiderSports.com

33

Norvelle Kennedy Michael Strong

COMPLIANCE

CORNER

Sports Wagering is Prohibited

The NCAA and the Texas Tech University Athletic Department oppose all forms of legal and

illegal sports wagering. The NCAA has adopted specific rules prohibiting athletic department staff members, conference office staff members and student-athletes from engaging in sports wagering activities as they relate to amateur, intercollegiate or professional sporting events.

Examples of impermissible sports wagering activities include, but are not limited to:

Logan Hawk

•

Office pools;

•

Pick-a-winner contests;

•

Fantasy leagues that involve entry fees and/or provide a cash or gift prize;

•

Internet gambling;

•

Parlay cards;

•

Point shaving;

•

Disclosing information about one of Texas Tech’s teams (e.g., team injury report); and

•

Placing bets with student-athletes while engaged in practice or competition.

Every month, the Texas Tech compliance staff will provide important information regarding

issues involving Red Raider athletics. n

We offer:

Serving Lubbock and Surrounding Communities Since 1952

34

806.687.2525 10301 Slide Rd.

806.722.1940 6006 82nd Street

NEW LOCATION 1910 Quaker Ave.

806.797.7305 3420 82nd Street

• Dry Cleaning and Laundry • Household Items • Wedding Gowns Cleaning & Preservation • Fancy/Formal Wear • All Kinds of Uniforms • Expert Leather & Suede Cleaning • Fur Cleaning • Expert Alterations

Customer Service: 806.392.5434 7am - 7pm • Wednesday: 7am - 6pm • Saturday: 8am - 2pm

RedRaiderSports.com Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday:

OYSTER PERPETUAL SUBMARINER DATE

rolex

oyster perpetual and submariner are trademarks.

RedRaiderSports.com

35

R E D R A I D E R C LU B

Membership Deadline

MAY 31, 2015 36

RedRaiderSports.com