Texas Tech University Athletics
Red Raider Football: A Family Tradition
October 20, 2002 | Football
Oct. 20, 2002
By Julie Wendell, Texas Tech Media Relations
Many people don't get a chance to have the same experiences as their parents. A few Red Raider athletes, however, do have that opportunity. They are the football players who walk the same familiar tunnel that their fathers walked in years past down to the roaring crowd at Jones SBC Stadium.
Dupree Scovell, a junior inside receiver for the Red Raiders from Dallas, said it is a great experience to play football for the same team as his dad. Dupree modestly says that his dad was a lot better player than he and his two brothers, Field and King, who also played football for Tech. Dupree's father, John, was a Tech quarterback from 1965 to 1967.
"My dad is a big timer when it comes to football, and I love to hear stories from people about his dad's playing days at Texas Tech," said the youngest Scovell. Dupree always knew he wanted to be a Red Raider. In most of his baby pictures, he is dressed in the familiar red and black his family has known for years.
Dupree's most memorable game is this season's Texas Tech vs. New Mexico game, where he made his first catch. Tech beat New Mexico 49-0. He also has fond memories of the recent Texas Tech vs. Texas A&M game. Five members of the Scovell family have played at Kyle Field. Field Scovell, Dupree's grandfather, was a member of the A&M football team. Dupree's father and two brothers have also played at Kyle Field. On October 5, when Texas Tech beat A&M 48-47, Dupree played against his cousin, who is currently a member of the Aggie team.
Dupree plans to follow in his dad's footsteps and work in commercial real estate. He likes working with people, and feels that his dad's company has a "team" feel to it, something he has loved about Red Raider football since he started with the program.
Another lucky Red Raider playing for the same team as his father is Cody Fuller, a redshirt freshman wide receiver from Smithson Valley, Texas. Cody said Texas Tech football was always a big deal for him growing up; he was constantly surrounded by Tech traditions, and knew from the start he wanted to bleed the red and black. Cody feels a sense of pride each time he steps out of the locker room to start another game. Kenny Fuller, Cody's father, was a member of the Red Raider football team from 1964 to 1965. Cody's most memorable game so far is the Texas Tech vs. Texas A&M game, because of his opportunity to contribute to the special teams that helped Tech defeat the Aggies. One of Cody's goals is to play professional baseball, and he would also like to attend law school.
Another Cody, Cody Campbell always knew he wanted to lead the life his father did when it came to football. There was no question in his mind about where to go to school. He knew from the start that it had to be Texas Tech. Cody, a sophomore offensive lineman from Canyon, said "it is a dream come true for me to be a Red Raider". Cody's father, Cliff Campbell, was a member of the Red Raider football team in 1974.
Glenn January, a freshman offensive lineman from Houston, considers Texas Tech football a family tradition. "It is an honor to know the same experiences my father knew when he played football for Tech," said the younger January. Glenn January, Sr. played for the Red Raiders in1974.
Kellen Tillman, a freshman linebacker from Plano, is also lucky enough to say he and his dad are both proud Red Raiders. Andre Tillman was an All-American at Texas Tech, and continued his football career for seven years with the Miami Dolphins.
Taylor Jobe and Jay Holland are also two fortunate squad members who, along with their fathers, have experienced the same feelings after a big Texas Tech victory, and know what it is like to play college football. Taylor, a junior from Austin is a wide receiver, whose father, Jeff, played for Tech. Jay is from San Antonio and is a junior offensive lineman. His father, John, was a Raider football player.
These family traditions are one of many interesting sidelights that make Red Raider football such an exciting and important part of the best university in the nation.