Double T
Encyclopedia
The Double T is a logo that is the most readily identified symbol of Texas Tech University
.
The Double T is generally attributed to Texas Tech University's, then Texas Technical College
, first football coach, E. Y. Freeland
, and assistant coach, Grady Higginbotham
. The Double T's design draws upon the popular block T of the Texas A&M University
logo, Higginbotham's alma mater
. It was first used as decoration on the sweaters for the football players during the college's 1926 football season.
The Double T became the official logo of the school in 1963.
By the 1960s, the school had expanded its offerings to more than just technical subjects. Feeling the phrase "Technological College" was insufficient to define the scope of the institution, Faculty Advisory Committee considered changing the name to "University of the Southwest", "Texas Technological College and State University", and "The Texas University of Art, Science and Technology" before recommending "Texas State University". While most students supported this change, the Board of Directors and many alumni, wanting to preserve the Double T logo, opposed it. The Board of Directors chose Texas Tech University, preserving the Double T, and submitted the name change to the state legislature in 1964. A failed move by Governor John Connally
to have the school placed into the Texas A&M University System
, as well as continued disagreement and heated debate regarding the school's new name, kept the name change from being approved until the Board of Directors again submitted the change in 1969. It finally received the legislature's approval on June 6 and the name Texas Tech University went into effect that September, preserving the Double T logo.
The Double T existed in its original form until 2000, when an updated version of the logo was created. The new logo maintains the original premise, but incorporates three-dimensional bevelling effects paired with a white trim.
.
The logo is further embodied in the Double T neon sign
, donated by the class of 1938 and affixed to the east side of Jones AT&T Stadium. At the time of its purchase, this was reputedly the largest neon sign in existence.
In August 1987, a second neon Double T was added to the west side of the stadium, funded by Bill McMillan. It was replaced by a stained glass Double T after renovations to the stadium’s west side in 2003.
Texas Tech University
Texas Tech University, often referred to as Texas Tech or TTU, is a public research university in Lubbock, Texas, United States. Established on February 10, 1923, and originally known as Texas Technological College, it is the leading institution of the Texas Tech University System and has the...
.
History
History of Texas Tech University
The history of Texas Tech University dates back to the early 1880s, but the university was not established until 1923.-Establishment:The call to open a college in West Texas began shortly after the arrival of settlers in the area in the 1880s. In 1917, the Texas legislature passed a bill creating a...
, first football coach, E. Y. Freeland
E. Y. Freeland
-External links:* at College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com...
, and assistant coach, Grady Higginbotham
Grady Higginbotham
Roswell Grady Higginbotham was the first head coach of the Texas Tech Red Raiders men's basketball team. Leading it to a 14–18–0 record from 1925 to 1927....
. The Double T's design draws upon the popular block T of the Texas A&M University
Texas A&M University
Texas A&M University is a coeducational public research university located in College Station, Texas . It is the flagship institution of the Texas A&M University System. The sixth-largest university in the United States, A&M's enrollment for Fall 2011 was over 50,000 for the first time in school...
logo, Higginbotham's alma mater
Alma mater
Alma mater , pronounced ), was used in ancient Rome as a title for various mother goddesses, especially Ceres or Cybele, and in Christianity for the Virgin Mary.-General term:...
. It was first used as decoration on the sweaters for the football players during the college's 1926 football season.
The Double T became the official logo of the school in 1963.
By the 1960s, the school had expanded its offerings to more than just technical subjects. Feeling the phrase "Technological College" was insufficient to define the scope of the institution, Faculty Advisory Committee considered changing the name to "University of the Southwest", "Texas Technological College and State University", and "The Texas University of Art, Science and Technology" before recommending "Texas State University". While most students supported this change, the Board of Directors and many alumni, wanting to preserve the Double T logo, opposed it. The Board of Directors chose Texas Tech University, preserving the Double T, and submitted the name change to the state legislature in 1964. A failed move by Governor John Connally
John Connally
John Bowden Connally, Jr. , was an influential American politician, serving as the 39th governor of Texas, Secretary of the Navy under President John F. Kennedy, and as Secretary of the Treasury under President Richard M. Nixon. While he was Governor in 1963, Connally was a passenger in the car in...
to have the school placed into the Texas A&M University System
Texas A&M University System
The Texas A&M University System is one of the largest systems of higher education in the United States. Through a statewide network of eleven universities, eight state agencies and a comprehensive health science center, the Texas A&M System educates over 100,000 students, conducts more than $600...
, as well as continued disagreement and heated debate regarding the school's new name, kept the name change from being approved until the Board of Directors again submitted the change in 1969. It finally received the legislature's approval on June 6 and the name Texas Tech University went into effect that September, preserving the Double T logo.
The Double T existed in its original form until 2000, when an updated version of the logo was created. The new logo maintains the original premise, but incorporates three-dimensional bevelling effects paired with a white trim.
Usage
To recognize the importance of the Double T, the class of 1931 donated the Double T bench. Per tradition, freshmen are not allowed to sit on the bench, which is located in the courtyard of the Administration BuildingAdministration Building (Texas Tech University)
The Administration Building is a structure on the campus of Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas. It was one of the original buildings on the campus, and is modeled after the Universidad de Alcala de Henares in Alcalá de Henares, Spain. The Admin building has three floors and a basement and...
.
The logo is further embodied in the Double T neon sign
Neon sign
Neon signs are made using electrified, luminous tube lights that contain rarefied neon or other gases. They are the most common use for neon lighting, which was first demonstrated in a modern form in December, 1910 by Georges Claude at the Paris Motor Show. While they are used worldwide, neon signs...
, donated by the class of 1938 and affixed to the east side of Jones AT&T Stadium. At the time of its purchase, this was reputedly the largest neon sign in existence.
In August 1987, a second neon Double T was added to the west side of the stadium, funded by Bill McMillan. It was replaced by a stained glass Double T after renovations to the stadium’s west side in 2003.