LUBBOCK, Texas (KCBD) – The Texas Tech Alumni Association Friday evening honored Jim Douglass for his more than 40 years of service to the alumni association. The association presented Douglass the Lauro F. Cavazos Award, named in honor of the 10th president of Texas Tech University and former U.S. Education Secretary.
Douglass, 1970 graduate of Tech, said it was “so special” to receive this honor, since he worked closely with Dr. Cavazos during his tenure as university president from 1980 to 1988. Douglass said he believes he is actually the person who recommended the award be named after Cavazos, since Cavazos was the first recipient.
Jim Douglass greets many guests ahead of A Matador Evening Oct. 10, 2025.(KCBD / Matt Ernst)
“Being an alum himself, he was very sympathetic and empathetic to what we were trying to do to raise the academic profile of Texas Tech in any way we can,” Douglass said.
“He wasn’t a staff person here, but he sure acted like it sometimes,” Douglass joked. “And he had one of those speech impediments where we asked him to do something and he couldn’t say no to us.”
Curt Langford with the Alumni Association shared this message on Facebook from former Texas Tech president Don Haragan:
“I can think of no person more deserving of this recognition. You have been an ambassador of good will for many decades and during that time have been instrumental in support of Tech alumni and alumni chapters across the country. It was my honor and great pleasure to work beside you as a colleague and a friend. Your efforts have helped make a great university even greater. I wish I could be there to thank you in person. Congratulations Jim.”
Douglass is credited with creating the chapter network and growing the Traveling Techsans worldwide travel program.
“It also shows how our alumni base is scattered all over the world,” Douglass said.
He said many chapters around the nation raise money for local scholarships to allow students there to come to Texas Tech.
“It’s just been a special treat, knowing you’re part of a national, international Red Raider nation.”
Jim Douglass said he is beyond thrilled to receive the Lauro F. Cavazos Award Oct. 10, 2025.(KCBD / Andrew Wood)
In transparency, I worked with Jim for many years, when he hosted FOX Talk In The Morning then West Texas Today at RAMAR Communications. Years earlier, Jim worked at the McAlister Family’s KSEL; Greg McAlister is now general manager and vice president of KCBD. I am a member of the Alumni Association, and Jim has been a friend for many years.
He would sometimes travel to a chapter meeting elsewhere across the state, then drive late that night back to Lubbock, to be on the air the next morning. I asked why he routinely did that.
“Just cause I love what I do.”
“I tell people I’m a professional Saddle Tramp. I was a Tramp when I was in school…and now I’m a professional Saddle Tramp, traveling and promoting Texas Tech. And the good news is there is no final exam associated with it.”
In the video above Douglass also recounts a time Coach Gerald Myers did not appreciate his “help” talking to the refs, during a basketball game at Notre Dame.
Douglass has also served on many community organizations, including Civic Lubbock, Inc. Before joining the Alumni Association, he worked at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Lubbock, and was there for the change from Big Brothers to Big Brothers Big Sisters.
Outstanding student honored
The alumni association also presented the Brent Ross Fearless Champion Award to Jacob Lujan, a creative media industries student.
Lujan was honored for his dedication, hard work and leadership in the College of Media & Communication.
Jacob Lujan(Photo provided by Texas Tech Alumni Association)
Lujan has served as editor-in-chief of The Daily Toreador in its 100 year of service.
This honor is named in memory of Brent Ross, former associate vice president of marketing for the Alumni Association. Ross’ impact is shared in this message on the Alumni Association website:
Brent was the former associate vice president of marketing for the Texas Tech Alumni Association who passed away at the age of 42 in 2017 following a courageous seven-year battle with Stage Four metastatic melanoma. He was a man who exemplified the qualities of integrity, living life to the fullest and love for Texas Tech.
His courage, selflessness and dedication set Brent apart from many others. No matter how difficult it became, he refused to give up on life, even until the end. He was a beloved husband, father, co-worker and friend. He was the kind of person who connected with people and made them feel important. People liked his great sense of humor and quick wit.
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