So... it's been a while, huh? You might be asking yourself:
"Where the hell has the Bell Ringer been?"
First off , I would like to apologize for the lack of updates here on our blog. After Goose had graduated from Texas Tech, the website was passed around to two different PR heads. Our goal was to continue the blog, but unfortunately we got caught in the whirlwind of school and other responsibilities. That however, is going to change.
My name is Colby. I am the head of the Public Relations Committee, and I am from the Spring 2020 Twelve Gauge Raiders pledge class. I will be taking over the responsibility of writing the Bell Ringer on a weekly basis. I have a lot to cover in this edition, so let's begin!
Spring 2022 Executive Committee
Starting off the Spring 2022 semester, we added a few new members to our executive committee. The executive committee are as follows (New elects are denoted with an *):
Parker Napp - President (Spring '19)
Joe Manna - First Vice President (Fall '19)
Cade Sharp - Second Vice President (Fall '19) *
Trent Bell - Secretary (Spring '20) *
Campbell Robinson - Treasurer (Fall '17)
Mitchell Smith - Treasurer's Assistant (Fall '20)
Chris Vardy - Sergeant-At-Arms (Fall '19)
James Reeder - Sergeant-At-Arms (Spring '21) *
We are very excited to have these fine gentlemen leading our organization. These young men embody what it means to be a Saddle Tramp, and are the best fit for leading such a great organization.
The New Guys
In terms of the new pledges this semester, I don't have a ton of information to really share. As it stands, we have around 3 new pledges that we are currently running through the gauntlet. They have taken two of their pledge tests so far, and all of them are doing fantastic. What they lack in class size, they make up for in their determination and enthusiasm for this organization. More updates to come soon.
Texas Tech Basketball
Where do I even begin? It all started when Assistant Coach Mark Adams took over the helm of Head Coach when He-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named left for a burnt-orange city down south. With a betrayed, defeated, and split fan-base, Mark Adams vowed to make this program one of the best in the nation.
And boy, did he keep his promise.
In his first year as Head Coach for the Red Raiders, Coach Adams commanded his team to a 25-9 record, the most wins by a first year head coach in school history. Massive wins over #13 Tennessee, #6 Kansas, #1 and #7 Baylor (Sweep!), #15 Iowa State, as well as #20 and #23 Texas (Sweep!) led the Red Raiders to a final AP Rank of #12, and the #1 Adjusted Defense Rank on Ken Pomeroy's Rankings. Unfortunately, Tech would fall to Kansas in the final game of the Big 12 Championship Tournament. Despite the loss, the Red Raiders finished 3rd in the Big 12 as well as being undefeated at home.
Texas Tech returns to the NCAA Tournament for the 4th time in a row as a #3 seed in the West Region. The Red Raiders faced #14 Montana State in their first match, destroying the Bobcats in a 97 - 63 beat-down. They face the #11 Notre Dame Fighting Irish in their Second Round bout. If Tech continues to play the way they have been in both the Big 12 and NCAA tournament, there is no doubt in my mind that they could make another Final Four run this year.
Texas Tech Baseball
Red Raider Baseball entered the 2021 - 2022 season ranked #14 in the nation. They played their first 3 games at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas. Despite a rough 1-2 start to the season, the Red Raiders would bounce back with 9 straight wins before going 1-1 against the #23 Mississippi State Bulldogs. As of writing this post, the Red Raiders are currently ranked #17, and look to start Big 12 play on March 25th against the Texas Longhorns in Lubbock and improve their 16-3 record. If Tech can continue to play the way they have, I believe they could be a sleeper team come the College World Series. More updates to come!
Closing Words
Red Raider Nation, I would like to once again apologize for the lack of Bell Ringer posts in the past year and a half. Hopefully this plethora of information is enough to make up for missed time. My plan to is to continue to write the Bell Ringer every week until from now on, and I will make sure that I bring you the best information regarding Saddle Tramps and Tech Athletics as I can!
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