LUBBOCK, Texas\u00a0\u2013 Saturday\u2019s BYU\/Texas Tech game is a highly anticipated Top 10 matchup that will help shape the Big 12 championship race.<\/p>\n
But no football game can be more important than life itself.<\/p>\n
BYU fans have come together to assist a family with ties to the Texas Tech football program that is facing a time of need.<\/p>\n
Ivan Ortiz, the barber of the Texas Tech football program, needed help.<\/p>\n
Texas Tech Football Team Barber: Ivan Ortiz<\/p>\n
Ortiz\u2019s wife, Maddie, was injured in a car accident caused by a drunk driver last month. He shared his story on his personal Instagram page and launched a GoFundMe asking for help in an emotional time for his family that includes a 3-year-old son.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy wife Maddie Ortiz was critically injured in a devastating car accident caused by a drunk driver on October 16th, leaving her with severe injuries and a long road to recovery,\u201d Ivan Ortiz wrote on the GoFundMe page. \u201cAs she faces multiple surgeries and the possibility of being transferred to an out-of-state rehabilitation center, we\u2019re struggling with the emotional and financial toll.\u201d<\/p>\n
NBC Lubbock, Texas affiliate KCBD also ran a story on the challenging road ahead for the Ortiz family.<\/p>\n
BYU fan, \u201cSportyMcSports\u201d on X, who has more than 12,000 followers, shared the GoFundMe on his personal page. The anonymous X user has often used the account to rally followers to help others in need with a \u201c#5dollarfriday\u201d challenge.<\/p>\n
BYU fans, we play Texas Tech this week, and one of their fans is in need of help. She was hit by a drunk driver and is in the ICU. Her husband is the team barber. <\/p>\n
Let\u2019s show them our love and support by Jimmering this go fund me! \u2764\ufe0f https:\/\/t.co\/8u17LRD4bT<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Sporty (@SportyMcSports) November 4, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n When Sporty shared the GoFundMe page, $5,000 had been raised to help the Ortiz family.<\/p>\n One day later, as of Wednesday afternoon, the funds raised had nearly reached $80,000.<\/p>\n BYU football fans rally to support Ortiz\u2019s family<\/p>\n \u201cGod is good I\u2019m lost for words, seeing how far our story has touched others during this difficult time,\u201d Ortiz wrote on X on Wednesday. \u201cWe\u2019re not prepared for trauma, nor do we know how to handle the situation. I appreciate everyone for the continued prayers and helping us during this time.\u201d<\/p>\n God is good\ud83d\ude4f\ud83c\udffd I\u2019m lost for words, seeing how far our story has touched others during this difficult time. We\u2019re not prepared for trauma, nor do we know how to handle the situation. I appreciate everyone for the continued prayers and helping us during this time. \ud83d\ude2a #PrayForMaddie<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/wCdjuTSqpn<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Ivan Ortiz\ud83c\udf35\ud83d\udc88\u0166 (@uncommon_ivan) November 5, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n BYU\u2019s fan base is no stranger to lending a hand to those in need.<\/p>\n Last season, BYU fans stepped in to help Kansas State quarterback Avery Johnson, who launched a drive to help his high school principal battle cancer. BYU fans raised over $50,000<\/a>.<\/p>\n At every road game the Cougars travel to, the school hosts a \u201cCougs Care\u201d fundraiser to support the local community of the home team. This week, BYU\u2019s \u201cCougs Care\u201d event is a book drive supporting Literacy Lubbock<\/a>, a non-profit focused on early childhood and family literacy, as well as adult education programs and ESL education.<\/p>\n While the heated competition on the field for Saturday\u2019s game is on everyone\u2019s mind, it can take a backseat to coming together to support a good cause.<\/p>\n No. 7 BYU at No. 8 Texas Tech<\/p>\n Date: Saturday, November 8, 2025<\/p>\n Location: Lubbock, Texas<\/p>\n Kickoff: 10 a.m. (MST)\/11 a.m. (CST)<\/p>\n TV: ABC<\/p>\n Radio: KSL NewsRadio (102.7 FM, 1160 AM) \u2014 Extended pregame begins at 7 a.m.<\/p>\n Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for KSLsports.com and hosts the Cougar Tracks Podcast daily on KSL Sports YouTube and KSL NewsRadio (SUBSCRIBE<\/a>).\u00a0Harper also co-hosts Cougar Sports Saturday (12\u20133 p.m.) on KSL NewsRadio.<\/p>\n Follow Mitch\u2019s coverage of BYU athletics in the Big 12 Conference on X (formerly Twitter)<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Instagram:<\/a>\u00a0@Mitch_Harper.<\/p>\n Want more coverage of BYU sports? Take us with you wherever you go.<\/p>\n