In the realm of folklore and European mythology, the concept of witches attending the Sabbath holds a prominent place. The Sabbath, also known as the Witches' Sabbath or Sabbat, is believed to be a gathering of witches to perform various rituals and practices associated with witchcraft. The notion of witches attending the Sabbath has its roots in medieval and early modern Europe. During this time, witchcraft was fervently believed to be a real and dangerous phenomenon. It was thought that witches, predominantly women, made a pact with the devil and were able to perform malevolent acts through the use of magic. According to popular beliefs, witches would gather in secluded or remote locations, such as crossroads, meadows, or mountaintops, on specific nights, often associated with pagan or Christian holidays, such as Walpurgis Night or Halloween.
Texas Tech Masked Rider Program
According to popular beliefs, witches would gather in secluded or remote locations, such as crossroads, meadows, or mountaintops, on specific nights, often associated with pagan or Christian holidays, such as Walpurgis Night or Halloween. These gatherings were believed to take place under the cover of darkness, adding an aura of mystery and secrecy to the proceedings. At the Sabbath, witches were thought to engage in a range of activities, both mundane and supernatural.
Wells Fargo Masked Rider Endowment Helps Continue a Tradition
Of the many traditions at Texas Tech University, only the Masked Rider (previously known as the Red Raider), has universal acceptance. For many years, Texas Tech's Masked Rider has thrilled and excited fans, young and old and in 1981 the fans established an endowment fund to continue the tradition.
During the early years when the athletic teams were known as the Matadors, the school did not have a mascot. After a sportswriter dubbed the team "Red Raiders," a group of students decided the team should have a Red Raider Rider. These early "ghost riders" would unexpectedly circle the football field before home games and then vanish creating the aura of mystery which still shrouds the Masked Rider through the identity of the student selected for the job is made public.
In those early appearances, students who had access to horses but not necessarily permission to ride them at games, would sneak the horses to games and hurriedly return them after the impromptu rides.
The Red Raider survived on a sporadic basis trough World War II and then was largely forgotten until the idea was received by coach DeWitt Weaver. The first Texas Tech-sanctioned Masked Rider debut was on January 1, 1954 when Joe Kirk Fulton wearing Levis, red shirt, red and black cape and black hat, let the team onto the field to play Auburn in the Gator Bowl, a game which the underdog Red Raiders won 35 - 13. Fulton said, "At the time, we didn't realize the impact the Masked Rider would have on Texas Tech, or that it would be adopted as the official mascot of the University."
Newspaper accounts said the first appearance of the Masked Rider awed spectators into a momentary stunned silence before they burst into cheering. an Atlanta Journal sportswriter reported that, "No team in any bowl game ever made a more sensational entrance."
An endowment fund was created to offset the many expenses incurred by the rider each year as he or she travels over 14,000 miles and makes well over 170 public appearances a year, including out-of-town football games, rodeos, parades, school visits and ceremonies. Expenses include the cost of horse care, handling of the horse, all travel related expenses, equipment upkeep, trailer maintenance and costume repair and replacement.
The Saddle Tramps contributed the first $2,000 to the fund in 1981, and the Texas Tech Student Alumni Board presented a Red Raider Scholarship of $1,000 to demonstrate student appreciation for the rider. In 1995, Norwest Bank (now Wells Fargo) established the Norwest Bank Masked Rider Endowment Fund and Scholarship. The Masked Rider receives a $2,000 scholarship as a benefit of the Wells Fargo Endowment Fund. The Wells Fargo Endowment Fund has a 10 year goal of $250,000. Both the original fund and the Wells Fargo fund, when completed, will provide the income necessary to keep the 50+ year tradition alive for the Red Raider fans of the 21st century.
Wells Fargo serves as the offical sponsor for the Masked Rider Program. For all your banking needs, pleae contact Wells Fargo to set your account. Services include personal and business banking, loans, mortgage, investing and insurance. More information by clicking here.
Red Raider students and fans who want to help carry on the tradition of the Masked Rider can donate online or send contributions to:
Texas Tech Masked Rider Endowment Fund
Attn: Stephanie Rhode
Center for Campus Life
Box 45014
Lubbock, Texas 79409-5014
For more information regarding the Masked Rider Endowment Fund, contact Stephanie Rhode, Spirit Program Director, at the above address, by calling (806) 742-5433, fax 806-742-0138, or by e-mail to [email protected].
Texas tech mascot
The costume isn�t changing, but one of Texas Tech University�s most recognizable representatives will have an expanded role at athletic and other events thanks to a new partnership between the Saddle Tramps, the High Riders and Texas Tech�s Center for Campus Life.
These three groups will now collaboratively work together to bring Raider Red to Texas Tech fans at athletic events and the myriad of other appearances this mascot makes throughout the year.
While the Saddle Tramps, a spirit group formed to uphold the spirit and traditions of Texas Tech, will remain an integral part of the Raider Red tradition, the High Riders will now provide students to serve as mascots alongside them. The new partnership will � among other benefits � ease the financial burden on the Saddle Tramps, provide scheduling relief to the students who wear the Raider Red costume and improve coordination between Raider Red and the cheer and pom squads, Masked Rider and other spirit groups already overseen by the Center for Campus Life.
�I think this is going to enhance the program,� says Saddle Tramp advisor Bill Dean, executive vice president and CEO of the Texas Tech Alumni Association. �There are a lot of pluses associated with it. We get an unbelievable number of calls asking for Raider Red to make appearances. This will mean that one student is not running himself ragged trying to cover everything himself.�
Raider Red was first created in 1971 when a Southwest Conference rule prevented Texas Tech from bringing the Masked Rider to any games played away from Lubbock. Working with cartoonist Dirk West, Saddle Tramp Jim Gaspard created Raider Red to represent the university at games. Since that time, a new Saddle Tramp has taken on the duty each year of secretly suiting up as Raider Red.
Under the new system, the Saddle Tramps and High Riders will each contribute a full-time mascot and an alternate. This will provide extra students to serve as Raider Red at various functions, easing the scheduling burden placed on the students while also allowing the mascot to expand its role in athletic events. A second costume will be purchased so that Raider Red can now literally be in two places at once.
�Basically, the program will now allow Raider Red to be involved at a much higher level,� says the Saddle Tramp currently serving as Raider Red. Traditionally, the name of the students serving as Raider Red is not revealed until after they are finished with the role.
This partnership will also open the program to another great Texas Tech spirit group. The High Riders were established in 1976 as a way for female students to support women�s athletics. Being involved with the Raider Red program will help the High Riders to recruit more students, notes Jamie Sims, the on-campus advisor to the group.
�We are hoping this will help bring more girls to the High Riders,� she says. �This partnership will not only help us to improve our recruiting, but will make our program more recognizable to the public.�
As part of the Center for Campus Life, the students serving as Raider Red will now have access to the same benefits enjoyed by Texas Tech�s spirit squads. These include yearly scholarships, access to academic tutoring and stipends to help cover travel and meal expenses. The university�s resources can also provide the financial support needed to properly store and maintain existing costumes while also purchasing future outfits.
Texas Tech Today is a monthly electronic newsletter produced by the Texas Tech University System Office of Communications and Marketing, the Texas Tech Alumni Association, Texas Tech Athletics and the Office of Institutional Advancement. If you have Questions or Comments contact us at [email protected].
Texas Tech Traditions
The Spirit Squads lead the fans in supporting the teams at football, basketball, and volleyball games. They serve as ambassadors not only at athletic events, but also at many different school functions. In addition, the Spirit Squads gladly participate in their community by volunteering at local schools, charity events, and youth organi zations. Being a proud part of the Texas Tech Spirit Program is more than just a year-round commitment. It means dedication from each member to maintain the school spirit of the students, the alumni, and the fans. The Spirit Program members' take pride in knowing that they are an essential part of such a wonderful tradition!
These activities included dancing, feasting, and socializing with other witches. It was believed that the devil would preside over the gathering, often in the form of a goat or a black cat. Witches were said to pledge their loyalty to him, participate in orgies, and engage in sacrilegious acts, such as desecrating religious symbols or performing blasphemous rites. Furthermore, witches were rumored to engage in practices that aimed to harm others or manipulate natural elements. This included casting spells, concocting potions, and making charms. Some tales even describe witches riding on broomsticks or animals to reach the Sabbat. The witches' Sabbath was considered a dangerous and sinful gathering, and those accused of attending it were subjected to severe punishment, including torture and execution, during the witch trials of the time. It is important to note that the concept of witches attending the Sabbath was largely based on superstition and fear. Historically, many of the accused "witches" were innocent individuals who were victims of mass hysteria, religious persecution, or social tensions. The idea of witches attending the Sabbath has since been debunked, and witchcraft is now recognized as a legitimate spiritual practice by some modern cultures. Nevertheless, the image of witches attending the Sabbath has captivated the human imagination for centuries. It represents a vivid symbol of the supernatural, the occult, and the struggles between good and evil. The tales of witches gathering at the Sabbath have inspired numerous works of literature, art, and film, perpetuating the fascination with the world of witches and magic..
Reviews for "The Witch's Sabbath: A Closer Look at Wiccan Rituals"
1. John - 1/5
I found "Witch going to the Sabbath" to be extremely disappointing. The plot seemed to drag on and lacked any sort of excitement or intrigue. The characters were one-dimensional and unrelatable, making it difficult to become invested in their story. Additionally, the writing style was choppy and filled with grammatical errors, which further detracted from my overall enjoyment. Overall, I would not recommend this book to others looking for a captivating and well-written story.
2. Sarah - 2/5
I had high hopes for "Witch going to the Sabbath" based on the intriguing premise, but unfortunately, it fell short for me. While the concept of witchcraft and the Sabbath should have made for a gripping read, the execution was lackluster. The pacing was inconsistent, with the story dragging in some sections and rushing through important plot points in others. Moreover, the characters lacked depth and development, making it difficult to connect with any of them. Despite the potential, this book failed to deliver a truly engaging experience.