Texas Tech to Host Reception in Honor of Spike Dykes

LUBBOCK, Texas – Texas Tech will host a reception at United Supermarkets Arena on Thursday afternoon to honor the late Spike Dykes. The reception will begin at 3 p.m. on the arena court.

The reception is open to all who want to remember the legendary Dykes, who passed away Monday morning at his home in Horseshoe Bay. His memorial service will begin at 2 p.m. earlier that day at First United Methodist Church in Lubbock.

Those unable to make it to First United Methodist Church can watch the memorial service in its entirety on the United Supermarkets Arena video board or online via TexasTech.TV. The service will be streamed for free Thursday.

The northwest and southwest entrances to United Supermarkets Arena will open at 1 p.m. Thursday for fans wishing to watch the funeral. Parking will be available in the commuter lots located north and west of the arena.

Dykes, 79, spent 13 years commanding the Tech sidelines – still the longest tenure for a head coach in program history – where he compiled an 82-67-1 overall record and led the Red Raiders to six bowl appearances after being promoted to head coach just weeks prior to the 1986 Independence Bowl.

Born in Lubbock, Dykes was a three-time Southwest Conference Coach of the Year honoree and was recognized as the inaugural Big 12 Coach of the Year in 1996. His teams regularly finished near the top of the conference standings as Tech defeated rivals Texas and Texas A&M six times each during his tenure. Several of those wins came late in his career as Dykes posted a 9-3 record against the likes of Texas, Texas A&M and Baylor over his final four seasons.

Dykes was likely best known for his personality, though, as he was beloved by his players, coaches, fans and the media. Never shy to tell a funny one-liner, Dykes was enshrined into the Texas Tech Hall of Fame in 2001 shortly after his retirement.

His family will also hold a memorial service at 2 p.m. Friday afternoon in Horseshoe Bay. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Spike Dykes Memorial Scholarship Endowment benefiting Texas Tech football student-athlete scholarships. Donations can be made by mail (C/O Spike Dykes Memorial Scholarship, Box 45055, Lubbock, TX 79409) or by contacting the Red Raider Club at 806-742-1196 or RRC@ttu.edu.

Texas Tech to Host Reception in Honor of Spike Dykes

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