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Daily Toreador The

TUESDAY, AUGUST 6, 2013 VOLUME 87 ■ ISSUE 160

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Serving the Texas Tech University community since 1925

Tech physical plant receives highest honor Texas Tech received an award from APPA, formerly Association of Physical Pant Administrators, in July. The APPA Award for Excellence is APPA’s highest institutional honor, according to a news release, and provides institutions with international and national recognition opportunities for achievements in facilities management. To receive the award, an institution must submit an application that includes a submission form, an abstract, a narrative, meet the eight criteria listed on the APPA website, and must show the ability to look at an organization as a whole, focus on what is important to the organization and concentrate on goals to improve overall performance and customer satisfaction, according to the APPA website. “Having an outstanding physical plant allows us to be an emerging national research university,” Tech President M. Duane Nellis said in the release. “The staff there provides outstanding support for our students and staff and they are all very deserving of this national honor.” ➤➤egardner@dailytoreador.com

Immigration bill critics focus on health law delay WASHINGTON (AP) — For many House conservatives, President Barack Obama’s decision to delay a central provision of his health care law has emerged as a major arguing point — not against that law but in opposition to immigration legislation In the weeks since the announcement that employers won’t have to provide health insurance for another year, complaints have increased among House Republicans that they can’t trust the Obama administration to implement any law they pass. That includes strict requirements for immigrants, tighter border security and genuine workplace hiring enforcement. That refrain is heard often from GOP lawmakers, most of whom now are home for a five-week summer recess that’s expected to feature demonstrations around the country by advocates as well as opponents of a broad immigration overhaul. It’s one more daunting obstacle to House action after Senate passage in June of a sweeping bill to increase border security, remake rules for legal immigration and offer eventual citizenship to the estimated 11 million immigrants already in the U.S. illegally.

HSC students participate in ceremony -- Page 2

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Football stadium nears completion By MICHAEL DUPONT II Staff Writer

The construction that began in the north end zone of Jones AT&T Stadium nearly seven months ago is nearing completion. Joe Parker, deputy athletics director, said as the full north end zone project is wrapping up, it’s been intriguing watching the response from the community. “I hope people can appreciate it,” Parker said of the new video board. “We saw people at the south end zone stand outside the stadium all week, just

Original Masked Rider dies at 81 By ASHLYN TUBBS Photo editor

Texas Tech recently lost a legacy. Jo Kirk Fulton, the first Masked Rider, died Aug. 1 at age 81. “The Masked Rider is certainly one of the world’s most recognizable mascots, and Texas Tech University owes a great deal of gratitude to Joe Kirk Fulton for that,” said M. Duane Nellis, Texas Tech’s president, in a news release. “It is amazing to think that his love for the university inspired him to begin a tradition that is now more than 50 years old and one of the most beloved of our university. The entire Red Raider family mourns his loss.” In 1954, Fulton rode onto the field during the 1954 Gator Bowl and developed the image for the Masked Rider. “I’m so grateful Joe did that,” said Stephanie Rhode, spirit program director and chair of the Masked Rider Advisory Committee. “When I think about him sitting on that horse before the Gator Bowl, I can’t image what was going through his mind. What a great man to take a chance and do something that had such deep meaning to our university.” According to a news release, 51 other Masked Riders on 14 different horses have followed his influence. “Little did he know he was starting a legacy,” Rhode said. “I think he had no way of knowing the Masked Rider would become alongside the Double T – the symbol of Texas Tech University.” In a news release, Chancellor Kent Hance said it was an honor for Fulton to be known far and wide as the first official Masked Rider. “But it was his love for Texas Tech that was truly outstanding,” Hance said in the release. “Today we lost a great Red Raider.” Fulton’s legacy extends beyond Texas Tech though, Rhode said. “There are so many people nationwide who have been touched by the Masked Rider,” she said, “and know Texas Tech because of the Masked Rider. That’s all due to Joe Kirk Fulton.” Fulton’s family is encouraging people to donate to the Masked Rider endowment fund in his memory. Rhode said the Saddle Tramps also paid respect to Fulton by wrapping the Masked Rider statue in crepe paper. When the Masked Rider Advisory Committee meets in September, Rhode said they also will discuss additional memorials for Fulton. “That will probably be our topic No.1,” she said, “what we will do to honor his life.” Fulton was a great man Rhodes wishes she had the opportunity to know better. “I think he dreamed a big dream, which is what our first president Paul Horn encouraged us to do,” she said. “I think that’s exactly what he did at the Gator Bowl.” ➤➤atubbs@dailytoreador.com

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watching, so it’s pretty neat to see the community response to it.” Parker said the new 38-foot tall, 100foot wide video scoreboard is fully highdefinition, which involved an upgrade of a room inside the United Spirit Arena. “Part of the project was converting our control room over at the United Spirit Arena to HD and that’s been finished,” he said. “The structure, as you see, is going to be Spanish Renaissance architecture, at least what’s exposed beyond the video board itself.” Senior running back SaDale Foster thinks the new visual aid will create a

better overall fan experience from the Jones. “It’ll be a lot louder,” he said. “I actually heard it on the other day and it was pretty loud and it will just bring our field more to life. You’ll see a close-up vision of everything, it’s not on that little screen any more. When I saw the screen on, it actually had great view, it felt like you were actually on the field so that’ll help the fans experience the game a lot better from a fans’ perspective.” The new-look Jones also will include an 11-column colonnade in the north end zone, which is a wall that will enclose

the north end of the stadium, Parker said. “It looks much like the L.A. Coliseum, I guess, in the north end, is the best way to compare it to another facility,” he said. “And that’s a project that’s been underway before the video board started, so that’ll be completed, hopefully, substantial completion just before the start of the first game.” As the 2013 football season draws closer, Erik Book, associate athletic director, anticipates Texas Tech will surpass its previous season ticket-sales records. STADIUM continued on Page 2 ➤➤

Public Practice

PHOTOS BY BEN FOX AND ISAAC VILLALOBOS/The Daily Toreador

ABOVE: ARMOND WEH-WEH, a freshman running back from Sugar Land, leads the pack as the Texas Tech football team completes sprints to start open practice at the Jones AT&T Stadium on Saturday. BOTTOM (LEFT): Derreck Edwards, a sophomore wide receiver from Brenham, completes a catch at open practice. BOTTOM (RIGHT): Tech coach Kliff Kingsbury addresses the media during the 2013 Texas Tech Media Day.

Tech athletics hosts open football practice, team offense seeks balance By MICHAEL DUPONT II Staff Writer

The start of the college football season is approaching quickly and from all early signs, Texas Tech’s offense will be much more dynamic in 2013. Senior running back SaDale Foster said a balanced attack could improve the Red Raiders’ effectiveness on offense. “Hopefully we’re just effective and we can move the ball well and get a balanced

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run and passing attack,” he said. “We’re a young team, so whatever we can do as a positive on offense will help us win games.” In 2012, Foster rushed for three touchdowns and 451 yards on 91 carries. This year, however, Foster said he expects his role to grow within the offense. “I’m taking on a lot of different roles this year,” he said. “Last year I kind of just was set at running back and I did return some kicks for a little bit. This year, I’m playing running back, slot receiver and I’ll

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be returning punts as well. The different role is a lot more on my shoulders but I’m used to it, you know, I’ve been doing it for a while. Coach told me that he had a plan for me, and that was the plan he had, so I’m just going to do whatever I can to help the team win.” Foster said playing at the slot position could create more opportunities to expose mismatches in opposing defenses.

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PRACTICE continued on Page 2 ➤➤

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