Texas Tech has countless traditions. Wrapping the Will Rogers statue before game day, recently two-time National Champion Raider Red, and of course, the Masked Rider. In Texas Tech’s nearly 100
On Friday, April 23, Texas Tech announced the 60th Masked Rider, and two former Raider Reds passed their guns to a new mascot at the Transfer of Reins and Passing of the Guns ceremony.
Ashley Adams, an animal science graduate student, was announced as the 60th Masked Rider at the ceremony. She has served as both an assistant and a volunteer for the Masked Rider program.
âI am so incredibly honored and humbled to serve as the 60th Masked Rider with Fearless Champion,â Adams said.
Stacy Stockard, the 43rd Masked Rider, said the Transfer of Reins is also a time to reflect on the current Masked Riderâs time in the program.
Outgoing Masked Rider reflects after taking on role during challenging times
Reins passed to new Masked Rider By KCBD Staff | April 23, 2021 at 10:54 PM CDT - Updated April 23 at 10:55 PM
LUBBOCK, Texas (KCBD) - Only five dozen people have donned the cape, hat, and mask to represent Texas Tech as the iconic Masked Rider. Cameron Hekkert, a native of Highlands Ranch, Colorado, is the only one to do so during a global pandemic. This was all unknown thirteen months ago, when the audition process faced an unexpected hiatus.
âTryouts started in February of 2020, and then mid-March was when we were supposed to go through the second phase of tryouts. That was when everything was put on hold, and then the middle of August was when it was officially, publicly announced,â Hekkert said.
With below-freezing temperatures last week, the Masked Rider and her team had to ensure they kept Fearless Champion healthy and safe.
âThe key for him, and keeping him comfortable, is consistency,â Cameron Hekkert, this yearâs Masked Rider, said.
Hekkert, a senior sports management major from Denver, is the 59th Masked Rider. By being an assistant the previous year, she was already familiar with the program and Fearless Champion, which made the audition process go smoother, she said.
Growing up, Hekkert said she had been around horses all her life. When she was five, she started riding, and at 16 got her own horse. Being the Masked Rider, or working in the program, they want people with experience.