Texas Tech University Athletics
NEW Tech Spirit Charging Up The Fans
October 02, 2000 | General
By Geoff Gross
Texas Tech Athletic Media Relations
In every football game there are many different situations that are definitely going to occur. The crowd will cheer, each team will make a valiant effort and one team will win. One thing that will remain constant during Red Raider football games are the Texas Tech spirit squads.
Leading the squad this year are two Tech graduates that are highly energetic and bleed red and black. Angie Labaj, '94 and Billy Smith, '88 are the advisors for the "NEW Tech Spirit." Both cheered at Tech during their tenure. Labaj was head cheerleader and a Spirit Coordinating Committee Chair. Smith was head cheerleader, a Saddle Tramp, a member of Texas Tech Spirit Coordinating Committee and was also Raider Red.
In addition to their experience as cheerleaders and members of spirit groups both went on to coach cheerleading.
Labaj and Smith brought in their own program demanding a great amount of effort and discipline from the 40 spirit squad members (24 coed cheerleaders and 16 poms).
They implemented a 16-point contract. Two of the requirements demand that each squad member be a full-time student and maintain a grade point average (GPA) of at least a 2.0.
"We put together a list of philosophies, putting academics first, followed by the university, community, fundraising and national competition," said Labaj.
During tryouts for this year's squad, 30 percent of the selection process was based on the candidate's ability to communicate with confidence to the fans.
"Spirit wise, they are ten-fold better than anyone else. They are a very self-confident group," said Labaj about the spirit squads' ability.
Labaj and Smith are both eager to get the crowd more involved during athletic events. They have started a new stadium yell. The yell will be done after each Tech touchdown by sections of the stadium spelling TECH and everyone yelling "GO TECH GO!"
The "NEW Tech Spirit" has added a list of events and organizations to get everyone involved throughout the community for the remainder of the year.
A Junior Spirit Leaders Program began in July for participants 4-18 years of age. The group has met once a month and will continue until January and will perform at a Red Raider and Lady Raider basketball game. The cost of membership is $25 per month.
Additionally, there will be a cheer and dance clinic on September 16 at the United Spirit Arena with the participants having the option to perform at Raider Alley.
Following the clinic on September 29, the day before the Texas ATM game, the Spirit Squads will travel to Dallas and perform at three area high schools. At the beginning of the new year, the spirit squad continues its busy schedule by hosting the First Annual Cheerleader and Dance Competition at the University Center-Allen Theatre on January 27.
Although their plate is full, the cheerleaders and pom pon squad raid the dorms during the week to sell tickets, handout fliers and raise excitement about Tech athletics. The spirit squad will host two pep rallies for the remainder of the season. The Homecoming pep rally will be on Oct. 6 in the field east of the United Spirit Arena at dusk. Also, on Nov. 3 the night before Tech takes on rival Texas there will be a pep rally located near the Alumni Frazier Pavilion at dusk. The spirit squads will award prizes to the craziest Red Raider fan. For more information about these events or questions regarding "NEW Tech Spirit" please call 742-1195. With a new era of Texas Tech football hitting the field, the "NEW Tech Spirit" will be there every step and then some.
