Lubbock Is One Of Texas Tech’s Best Recruiting Tools
The most famous pop culture reference to Lubbock, TX comes from Mac Davis’ song “Texas in My Rearview Mirror.” The tag line of the song by the Lubbock native says, “I thought happiness was Lubbock, Texas in my rearview mirror.”
Many people around the state of Texas and across America have come to believe that Lubbock is a modern day Tombstone, Arizona–where the main mode of transportation is horseback, the saloons are candle lit and indoor plumbing is not even an consideration.
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Yet, when talking to many Texas Tech recruits, a different picture of Lubbock begins to emerge. In fact, numerous recruits point to Lubbock as being one of the reasons they decided to become a Red Raider.
A large number of Texas Tech football players come from large cities, especially Dallas or Houston where they have heard nothing but negative talk about Lubbock. However, once they arrive in the Hub City, they seem to feel at home.
Travis Bruffy, an offensive line recruit from Missouri City, TX which in the greater Houston area, felt the same way before he visited Lubbock. But he quickly changed his mind.
"“Throughout our whole relationship, I was like ,’Oh, it’s Lubbock. I don’t know how I’m going to feel about Lubbock.’ I go up there, and I realize that it’s amazing. It’s like an oasis in the middle of the desert, and I feel like it’s a place that I can grow and thrive. I knew coming back from my visit that I fell in love with that place.” he said."
Another 2016 commit, Houston Miller from Flower Mound, TX in the Dallas Metroplex was a skeptic that developed an affinity for Lubbock. He especially pointed out the fact that the entire town is united behind the Red Raiders.
"According to Miller, “…seeing that atmosphere, football is everything in that town. Just being there, I felt like I was home. I was 300 miles away from my own house, but it felt like I home. It was a place I knew I could live, I knew I would feel comfortable at, I just felt great… It has a population of almost 300,000, but at the same time it has that small town feeling. In Lubbock, everybody is about the same goal…”"
Miller has discovered what every Red Raider eventually discovers about Lubbock; It is a unique city in that it is large enough to have all the necessary creature comforts of a major city but because it is isolated out on the high plains it has a close-nit, small town appeal.
This small town vibe seems to make young people comfortable as they move away from home for the first time in their lives. Lubbock is big enough to be fun and exciting but small enough that it is not intimidating.
"Despite being from Virginia, offensive line commit, Zach Adams felt like he was at home in Lubbock saying, “When I went down there for my visit a couple of weeks ago, they made me feel right at home.”"
Another appealing aspect about Lubbock is the fact that it is a quintessential college town. Drive through town on any Friday before a home football game and try to count the number of Texas Tech flags you see. It would be impossible.
When an entire community, especially one as large as Lubbock, fully supports young men such as those on the Red Raider football team, the players begin to understand how much they mean to the people of the community and they take seriously the responsibility of representing Tech and Lubbock.
“Happiness is Lubbock, Texas drawing nearer and dearer….” Mac Davis
Mandeville, LA native and future Texas Tech linebacker Johnathan Picone was attracted to the college environment Lubbock has to offer. Though Mandeville has a population of just over 11,000, it is close to New Orleans, lying just across Lake Pontchartrain on the northeast bank.
"“The biggest thing is Lubbock is a college town, and they love football, so they will always be celebrating even if the team isn’t doing very well,” Picone said. “They sold out all their home games last year despite going 4-8 which meant a lot to me…The atmosphere was a big draw too, they love their football…”"
Co-defensive coordinator and defensive line coach Mike Smith — a Lubbock native — recently appeared on “The Morning Drive” radio program on 104.3 FM in Lubbock. And keep in mind, that Smith has lived in New York City while coaching for the Jets so he has seen a different side of America, yet he credits Lubbock with being one of the main recruiting tools Texas Tech has at its disposal.
"“We always say if we can get kids to Lubbock it sells itself. [Other Big 12 coaching staffs] tell them there’s noting in Lubbock. You know, everybody’s riding horses. And then they get out here and they’re like “Oh my gosh this is awesome” so there’s a lot to Lubbock.”"
There is something special about Lubbock, Texas. The kindness in the hearts of the people of west Texas, the all-for-one spirit needed to succeed in such a unique location and the way the city makes everyone feel like he or she is part of a huge family add a charming element to Lubbock that can’t be replicated in Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, New York or any other monstrosity of a city.
Sometimes that feeling is hard to verbalize. We’ve all felt it at times but maybe we didn’t notice it until we were gone.
"“It was something about Tech, something about Lubbock that I fell in love with once I went down there. I really can’t explain it.” said Wichita Falls, TX 4-star 2016 wide receiver T.J. Vasher."
Maybe what Vasher feels is what we all felt when we went to school in Lubbock. We felt safe, comfortable, welcomed and wanted. And I think it takes maturity and living in other places to realize exactly what makes Lubbock so special. We finally realize what it is that is draws so many of us back home, if not literally at least in our hearts.
As Mac Davis concludes his famous song, he has matured after seeing the world and finding success in the music industry.
"Still he says, “I thought happiness was Lubbock, Texas in my rearview mirror. But now happiness is Lubbock, Texas growing nearer and dearer. And when I die, you can burry me in Lubbock, Texas in my jeans.”"
Amen Mac. Amen.