LUBBOCK, Texas (KCBD) – Jim Gaspard changed Texas Tech history in 1971, when he created a mascot that continues to make an impact on Lubbock.
Gaspard made his way to Lubbock in 1968 after serving in the Vietnam War as a Navy medic.
He soon joined the Saddle Tramps and enjoyed everything Texas Tech had to offer. His life changed in 1971, when the Southwest Conference was considering restrictions on live animals at road games, affecting mascots like the Masked Rider.
“When he comes out at the opening gate of the game, he would run around the stadium, he would do this on any traveling games as well,” Gaspard said. “All the fields were grass, and he would tear up the fields.”
Gaspard’s previous experience living in California proved valuable, as he remembered seeing Disney characters come to life at Disneyland. He also got major inspiration from Lubbock cartoonist Dirk West.
“He started in 1969,” Gaspard said. “He created a caricature mascot for all the mascots in the Southwest Conference.”
With West’s blessing, Gaspard got to work on creating the Raider Red mascot we know and love today. He had help from friends when it came to the costume and cape and ingenuity pushed the final product to the finish line.
“The rest of the mascot was built out of paper mache and chicken wire,” Gaspard said. “We got some shoulder pads and tightened chicken wire and started the paper mache. I pretty much dimensioned his Ol’ Red character into a costume character.”
On September 9th, 1971, Raider Red made his official debut at a pep rally in front of 4,000 Texas Tech fans. Two days later, he hit the field when Texas Tech took on Tulane, an experience Gaspard looks back on fondly.
“It was great,” Gaspard said. “I did have to be real careful; the head weighed about 10 or 12 pounds and it was very easy to lose my balance and basically tip over.”
Gaspard worked as Raider Red for a few more games but let others take over the role due to growing school responsibilities. He graduated in 1972 and has seen the mascot explode in popularity.
Raider Red is everywhere in Lubbock. From football and basketball games to special events and even gender reveal parties, Raider Red is Texas Tech through and through. Gaspard is grateful to be a part of school history and has his guns up every chance he can.
“It’s a real honor and it is a legacy that appears to be here forever,” Gaspard said.
Copyright 2026 KCBD. All rights reserved.