Hispanic Heritage Appreciation Game Set for OU
By: Blayne Beal
Updated: October 2, 2012
In
conjunction with National Hispanic Heritage Month, Texas Tech Athletics
will celebrate the university's deeply rooted Hispanic culture with
the Hispanic Heritage Appreciation Game against the University of
Oklahoma at Jones AT&T Stadium on Oct. 6.
Texas
Tech University is proud to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month in which
we recognize the contributions of Hispanic and Latino Americans to the
United States and
celebrate the group's heritage and culture. The national celebration
runs every year from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15.
At
this weekend's game, Texas Tech will bring together numerous Hispanic
themed organizations, student groups and West Texas Hispanic pioneers,
as well as groups from
the City of Lubbock to serve as ambassadors for this year's game.
"Our
group's mission is to increase the presence and improve the
opportunities for Latinos/Hispanics at Texas Tech University," Texas
Tech Latino Faculty/Staff President
Jerry Perez said. "The upcoming football game is another example of how
Texas Tech is a university that is proud of the Hispanic heritage
across Texas."
Mariachi
bands and Folklorico dancers will set the tone by greeting fans as they
arrive in Raider Alley, the tailgate lots and the gates to Jones
AT&T Stadium. The
Red Raider Football team will receive a special greeting upon arrival to
the stadium as pioneering Hispanic leaders from the community will lead
the Raider Walk down Drive of Champions at 11:45 a.m.
Once
inside the stadium, fans will be able to enjoy classic Spanish music
that will include a special halftime performance from the Goin' Band
From Raiderland. The
souvenir game program, "Texas Tech Gameday" will provide an in depth
look at Texas Tech's Spanish influence as well as a special feature on a
young woman who will graduate from Texas Tech this spring.
The
Raiders Rojos National Alumni Chapter will also play an integral role
in Saturday's game. The group promotes the retention and graduation
attainment of Hispanic
studentswithin the Texas Tech University System by providing a strong
support system that includes scholarships, mentoring and networking
opportunities.
"We
are excited to present 20 scholarships to Red Raiders from diverse
education backgrounds, from law students to medical students, to
specialized degrees," Raiders
Rojos Chapter President Jessie Mendoza stated. "Texas Tech yet again
distinguishes itself by continuing to celebrate diversity, and we
couldn't be more enthusiastic to be a part of it."
Texas
Tech has reached out to the Jones AT&T Stadium bordering
neighborhoods of Arnett-Benson and Guadalupe with a special ticket
promotion.
Juan
Munoz, Texas Tech Senior Vice President for Institutional Diversity,
Equity and Community Engagement, is excited to see the growth and
success of Hispanics at Texas
Tech.
"Recently,
Tech was recognized as a national leader in closing the achievement gap
and helping under represented students excel academically," Munoz
said. "Texas Tech
has been at the forefront of efforts to create an inclusive campus
climate, and this game day celebration invites everyone to be proud of
their heritage. Regardless of one's background, at Texas Tech it's
possible."
A
limited number of tickets for Texas Tech's Big 12 home opener against
the University of Oklahoma and the Hispanic Heritage Appreciation Game
are available for purchase
online at texastech.com or by calling the athletic ticket office at
(806) 742-TECH.
