Oct. 10, 2001

LUBBOCK, Texas - Texas Tech University and the Texas Tech Department of Athletics will honor family members of Texas Tech students this weekend as the university celebrates the annual Family Weekend. Family Weekend begins on Friday, Oct. 12th and concludes on Monday, Oct. 15.

Athletically, the Texas Tech soccer team will kick-off the weekend with a Big 12 Conference match against Kansas on Friday night at 7 p.m. at R.P. Fuller Stadium. The weekend will be highlighted by the Texas Tech vs. Kansas State football game that is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Saturday at Jones SBC Stadium. On Sunday, the Texas Tech soccer team returns to action as it will host the Missouri Tigers in a 10 a.m. Big 12 match at R.P. Fuller Stadium. The soccer team will host an autograph session immediately following the game with Missouri. The weekend concludes with a 6 p.m. volleyball match on Monday night against the University of Texas at the United Spirit Arena.

The Student Government Association will sponsor a Rowdy Raider Rally at 11:30 a.m. on Friday morning at the University Center to help get Red Raider fans ready for the big weekend. The rally will feature the Goin' Band From Raiderland, the Texas Tech spirit groups and appearances from the Texas Tech football coaching staff. Tech students and their families can enjoy free hotdogs, cokes and popcorn courtesy of the SGA as long as supplies last.

The Texas Tech Association of Parents and the Texas Tech Ex-Students Association will sponsor a golf tournament at Meadowbrook Golf Complex (601 Municipal Drive). Members of either the Texas Tech Association of Parents or the Ex-Students Association can play in the tournament for $45 while non-members can play for $55. The deadline for registration is Oct. 10th. For more information on the golf tournament, please contact Trudy Poteet at 742-3630 or Tim Shore at 742-3641.

Family Day Weekend registration begins at noon on Friday and lasts until 6 p.m. at the University Center Courtyard. Following the conclusion of registration, the Association of Parents will host a Family Fun Night and Fiesta at the Frazier Alumni Pavilion (located southwest of Jones SBC Stadium). The night will consist of a fiesta buffet, entertainment by the Mariachis Rojos, initiation of Junior Raiders as well as several exciting door prizes. Tickets are $12 for adults and $6 for children 10-and-under prior to the event and $14 and $7 at the door.

Texas Tech will kick-off the start of the 2001-02 basketball season with Midnight Madness on Friday night at the United Spirit Arena. Midnight Madness will feature an autograph session with both Marsha Sharp's Lady Raiders and Bob Knight's Red Raiders as well as appearances by the Goin' Band, the Tech Cheerleaders, Saddle Tramps, High Riders as well as various other entertainment and prizes. The two teams will scrimmage beginning at midnight for a total of 40 minutes (two ten-minute periods each). Doors at the United Spirit Arena will open at 9:15 p.m. and the admission will be a minimum $2 donation plus a canned food item. All proceeds will go directly to the American Red Cross relief efforts.

The Texas Tech Association of Parents will host a general membership meeting from 11 a.m. until noon in the University Center Matador Room. At this meeting, parents can find out how to take an active role in the education of their children and support Texas Tech in the process.

Beginning at noon, bus tours of points of interest within the City of Lubbock will be available starting from the northeast side of the University Center. The tours will last until 3 p.m. and will tour the Ranching Heritage Center, the Lubbock Lake Landmark, local wineries, the Buddy Holly Center and the Depot District. The tours will be handled on a first-come first-serve basis.

Weekend festivities will wrap up with the start of Raider Alley (4 p.m. until 7 p.m.) which is held between the Frazier Alumni Pavilion and Dan Law Field (baseball). Raider Alley is the ultimate tailgate party as there will be live music, plenty of food and various other attractions.

For more information on Family Weekend events, please contact Trudy Putteet at 742-3630 or the Texas Tech Athletic Media Relations office at 742-2770.