Football Versus Texas Tech

A special memory from growing up in Canyon was watching the WT Buffaloes play, and often beat, the Red Raiders on the football field. The community always supported the team. When the game was held in Lubbock, several train cars would be reserved for the loyal fans to ride to the game.

We would board the train at the Canyon railroad depot. As we passed Ralph Switch, basically a grain elevator, the Kuykendall family who lived there and maintained the elevator would have huge signs hanging outside of their red brick home by the tracks urging the Buffs to victory. We always looked for those signs which became a sign for the passengers to cheer for their team.

During the ride, the WT cheerleaders came into the various cars and lead cheers, getting us ready for the big game ahead. It was always special when they were in our car. We could hear them coming and waited with anticipation for our turn to yell with them.

Sometimes we would buy sandwiches on the train. Other times, Mother would fix our "picnic" meal to carry with us to eat as we rode to Lubbock.

When we got there, the train stopped near the stadium. We walked across the field and then cross the highway as we made our way to the stadium. It was often cold and the wind always was blowing, but that didn't chill any spirits.

After the game, we walked back to the waiting train and returned to Canyon.

Those games were special because the Red Raiders were our arch rivals. The fight song even said, "We will kick, pass, and run 'til those Raiders are done." The whole community loved and supported their beloved Buffaloes.

Linda Lowes Hatchel