Texas Tech comes together to support of Luke Siegel

On July 9^th, long-time Texas Tech tennis head coach Tim Siegel resigned his position in order to coach tennis at Lubbock’s Cooper High School where his children are set to attend. Unfortunately, the man who led the tennis program for 23 years and his family are facing a crisis of unimaginable circumstances. And in typical west Texas fashion, the community of Lubbock as well as the Red Raider family is rallying to support one of their own.

On July 28^th, Luke Siegel, Tim’s 9-year-old son was taken to University Medical Center on the Tech campus after having a golf cart land on him while he and another friend were driving the cart in circles. While Luke’s friend suffered no injuries, Luke suffered severe brain damage and has been hospitalized since.

As soon as word spread, Red Raiders and west Texans from all around came together to support the Siegel family. Two days after the incident, a page on www.gofundme.com was established to help raise money to cover Luke’s medical expenses. As of the time of this article, the page has raised $68,325 in only 13 days. The goal is to raise $75,000 for the family and the page can be found here if you wish to donate.

In addition to individual donations, many Lubbock businesses are contributing to the cause. For example, Blue Sky Burgers donated a portion of their lunchtime and dinner profits on August 5^th.

More from Wreck'Em Red

Numerous Lubbock businesses, including J. Hoffman’s clothing store, are selling white and red bracelets that say, “Pray for Luke” and “Luke #3”. The women’s apparel store reported that the bracelets have been so popular that they have sold out of them twice. In addition, J. Hoffman’s made a donation of 15 percent of its Thursday, August 6^th sales to support the Siegel family.

In addition to financial support, emotional support has come to Luke via a Major League Baseball player. Texas Rangers’ first baseman, Mitch Moreland sent a video message encouraging Luke to continue fighting and inviting him to a future Rangers game where he and Luke could meet one another.

While it has not be completely confirmed, is likely that FOX Sports Southwest’s Emily Jones who covers the Rangers on a daily basis had a hand in getting Moreland to reach out to Luke. Jones is a Red Raider who was a sports reporter in the Lubbock television market prior to working for FOX.

Luke remains unconscious but his vitals are stable, according to updates from his mother, Jenny, on the Facebook page, Pray For Luke Siegel.

"Mrs. Siegel is keeping a positive outlook during this excruciating time posting, “Have had several experts tell me to not give up hope….a 9 yr old brain can do miraculous things.” on Facebook."

Tech fans or anyone else that wants to help the cause can do so in a number of ways. Keep checking the Facebook page for upcoming benefits put on by Lubbock businesses. Also, t-shirts with the message “#prayforluke” can be purchased by sending an email to Prayforlukesiegel@gmail.com.

Life is unpredictable and tragedies strike us all. While we can’t count on what’s to come tomorrow or next week, we know that one certainty is that the love and support of our loved ones will carry us through. For Tim Siegel and his family, that love and support has come from those closest to them but also from Texas Tech and the community of Lubbock which should make every Red Raider and Lubbockite proud.

As “The Matador Song” encourages each Red Raider to do, the support and love shown to Luke Siegel and his family has been the perfect example of Techsans “[striving] for honor,” not through accomplishing tremendous feats but through being there when one of our own is in his hour of greatest of need.

And from all of the people at Wreck ‘Em Red, we send our thoughts and prayers to the Siegel family while encouraging Luke to do as the Tech fight song, “Fight Raiders Fight” says; Fight Luke Fight.

Home/Texas Tech Red Raiders News