Blast from the Past

Last weekend, two unique items were donated to the University Archives. Both document the lost history of Texas Tech in different ways. These wonderful items were donated from a family of three generation Techsan. The first item, a red and black beanie, dated from 1969, is what was called a "slime cap" or a "Fish cap." Up until the early 1970s, Freshmen students were required to wear this cap to designate their class standing. Sort of an early form of hazing really. The earlier versions of the beanies were solid colored [green is the only color I've seen so far of this one] and I had not seen another version until I received this donation. The second item, a footlocker trunk, is notable not for what it is but for what's on it. The stickers date from around 1938. The gentleman who owned this attended Tech in the late 1930 and was one of the early members of the Saddle Tramps organization. What is unique about these stickers is the depict a Matador figure with a raging bull and a "TTC" for Texas Technological College. Back in the early days of Tech's history, we were the Matadors and played in the Border Conference. Artifacts from this time period are hard to come by and, thankfully, there are still loyal alums who save snippets of the past for future generations to enjoy.