Texas Tech Athletics continues to strive to provide one of the best gameday experiences in the country with new initiatives this year ranging from the debut of Raider Village to mobile ticket purchases through the Red Raider Pass and ReplyBuy.
Below are a list of upgrades for the 2017 season:
NEW TURF
Texas Tech replaced its playing surface during the offseason, installing a new FieldTurf model prior to spring practice. There are three significant changes to the new surface, most notably the size of the Double T at midfield. The Double T was enlarged to cover the entire distance between the hash marks. The font for “Red Raiders” and “Texas Tech” spelled out in each endzone is also new and it matches the look the Red Raiders will unveil on each uniform this season. In addition, there is no longer a black box surrounding “Jones AT&T Stadium” at the 25-yard line of each side of the field. Texas Tech also added new goalposts that are motorized and will allow athletics staff to quickly lower both posts at the conclusion of each game.
NEW MENU ITEMS AVAILABLE IN PREMIUM AREAS
Texas Tech fans in premium areas such as the East or West Stadium Buildings will see several upgrades as the pregame buffet will be extended into the first quarter. Hamburgers and hot dogs will also be available at halftime followed by ice cream in the third quarter.
CONCESSIONS GET A FACELIFT
Texas Tech and Spectra, its official concessions provider, partnered to renovate each food and drink stand this offseason with updated signage as well as additional menu items.
RED RAIDER EXPERIENCE
For fans that want to add a special experience to their gameday, Texas Tech has a collection of options available each game at www.TexasTech.com/upgrades. The Red Raider Experience features selections such as pregame and postgame access to the field.
RAIDER VILLAGE
Texas Tech announced a partnership with Tailgate Express several weeks ago to develop the all-new Raider Village, which will debut this fall as the official pregame tailgate of Texas Tech Athletics. Raider Village, located in the heart of campus along the Engineering Key just north of Memorial Circle, will be a premium area where fans have the option to choose how they tailgate. It will feature three tailgating options: individual single game/season tickets, VIP tailgate packages and corporate tailgate packages. For more information, please visit here.
THEME GAMES
Texas Tech’s home docket will once again feature several themes during the 2017 season. Here’s a rundown of the special theme games for this season:
Arizona State – Celebrate Cotton (White Out)
Oklahoma State – Celebrate Energy & Family Weekend (Black Out)
Iowa State – Homecoming
Kansas State – Celebrate America
TCU – Senior Day
HEAT MANAGEMENT PLAN
As Texas Tech announced just last week, Red Raider fans can now bring one 20 ounce (or less) bottle of water into every outdoor venue, including Jones AT&T Stadium. Empty cups, opened bottles or other drinking containers will not be permitted. Texas Tech will also have four cooling stations located throughout the Jones AT&T Stadium concourse to assist fans with heat-related issues. These stations will be shaded and stocked with cold towels, circulating fans and sun screen.
FAMILY SECTION
Texas Tech has made section 109 the official Family Section at Jones AT&T Stadium this season. Located in the northwest corner of the stadium, families looking for tickets in this section are encouraged to contact the Tech Ticket Office at 806-742-TECH. Kids in this section will receive a special activity book at each game this season.
THE RED RAIDER PASS
Texas Tech continues to look for new ways to provide fans an easy approach to purchasing season tickets, namely through the all-new Red Raider Pass. This mobile ticket option is available at just $150, roughly 20 percent off the lowest season ticket price. The Red Raider Pass guarantees fans a seat for all six games, which is delivered straight to any Apple or Android device. Visit www.TexasTech.com/RedRaiderPass for more details.
FAMILY FOUR PACK
Families wanting to see the Red Raiders early in the season can purchase four tickets through the Family Four Pack. The ticket package includes ticket for four as well as four hot dogs and four drinks starting at just $100. The Family Four Pack is available for both the Eastern Washington and Arizona State games.
REPLYBUY
Another new function related to tickets this season is Texas Tech’s partnership with ReplyBuy, a global sales provider that specializes in providing fans with an instantaneous way to purchase tickets. Through this partnership, Red Raider fans will be able to instantly purchase tickets by simply replying to a text message. Fans who register for the service will receive a $10 credit toward their first purchase using ReplyBuy. Registration is available now at www.ReplyBuy.com/TexasTech or by texting TECH to 20123.
AMERICAN NATIONAL BANK PROMOTION
Still looking for tickets for the Sept. 2 season opener against Eastern Washington? Tickets are available for just $20 by using the promo code ANB17 at TexasTech.com or by contacting the Tech Ticket Office at 806-742-TECH.
CLEAR BAG POLICY
Texas Tech’s clear bag policy will remain in effect for all athletic venues during the 2017-athletic year. Fans will be able to bring the following style and size bag or package into the venue:
Bags that are clear plastic, vinyl or PVC and do not exceed 12” x 6” x 12.”
One-gallon clear plastic freezer bag (Ziploc bag or similar).
Small clutch bags, approximately the size of a hand, with or without a handle or strap can be taken into the venue with one of the clear plastic bags.
An exception will be made for medically necessary items after proper inspection.
PLENTY OF NEW FACES ON THE FIELD, TOO
Following the 2016 season, head coach Kliff Kingsbury and his staff went to work on reshaping the Red Raiders’ roster, bringing in over 40 new student-athletes since January alone. The large group of newcomers has come in and competed right away with Tech’s returners on both sides of the ball. Kingsbury brings back 14 starters from last season, including the bulk of an offense that led the country in both total offense and passing offense while averaging over 40 points a game.
(News release from the Texas Tech University Athletics)