How The Texas Tech ‘Guns Up’ Hand Sign Tradition Actually Began

Anyone who has ever attended a Texas Tech home game is well aware of the "Guns Up" sign. The tradition is perfect because it has so many meanings. It's a rally cry for fellow Red Raiders. It's a sign of victory flashed at every sports game. It's part of what makes Texas Tech University the pride of all who attend.

So, as influential as "Guns Up" is, how did the tradition begin in the first place? Who do we thank for it? Well, it all began over 55 years ago when one alumnus decided to set himself apart from the rest.

Who Started the 'Guns Up' Tradition?

L. Glenn Dippel, from the Texas Tech graduating class of 1961, was tired of living in Austin and the unavoidable presence of the "Hook 'em Horns" hand sign everywhere he and his wife went. One day, he decided that his alma mater, Texas Tech University, deserved one of their own.

Looking at Raider Red's raised pistols during home games as inspiration, Dippel extended his index finger and thumb while tucking the other three fingers into his palm to create the shape of a gun.

Kenneth Richmond, Getty Images

Ever since then, "Guns Up" has been the iconic hand sign recognized by everyone around the world.

Other Texas Tech Traditions

Texas Tech is full of exciting traditions and stories passed down from generation to generation. Another example is from Lubbock's own apparel business, Signature Stag, and not many people may know it.

Did you know that the "the matadors" wasn't always iconic to Texas Tech's brand? It was originally going to be the Texas Tech "dogies," but was quickly changed to reflect the campus' Spanish architecture.

"Red Raiders" also has an interesting backstory. It was coined by a sports editor back in 1936 after he commented on the team's red jerseys. That same editor bore the title of the first Red Raider by leading the football team onto the field on horseback that same year.

I couldn't even begin to mention every Texas Tech tradition. The university prides itself on over a century of making a mark on the world and developing the best of the best, whether that's in sports, business, the ag industry, and more.

Guns Up, Lubbock. Here's to another century of making history.

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