Category: News & Features

LUBBOCK, Texas — The excitement was contagious as Texas Tech fans gave Coach Mark Adams a warm welcome at Tuesday’s press conference at the United Supermarkets Arena.

This marks the beginning of a new chapter for Tech basketball — and Red Raider Nation couldn’t be more excited to see what the new coach will bring to the table.

“I’m pumped I’m ecstatic, like couldn’t be happier with the decision,” said Tech fan David Mueller.

“This was the best choice they could’ve made and I think it’s home,” said fan Taylor Szymanski.

After losing Coach Chris Beard to one of their biggest rivals, a West Texas native like Coach Adams was just what the Red Raiders needed.

“I mean he’s a hometown guy,” said Raider Riot’s Vice President Mia Gibaszek. “We’ve had him all the time that I’ve been here, I think it’s great honestly.”

Fans said they’re also looking forward to having a Tech alum as their coach.

“I actually really love that he’s loyal to West Texas and Texas Tech. It means a lot to me being a fan and a student here,” said fan Dade Mumaw.

Other fans said they’re excited to see what this will mean for Tech’s defense.

“I think we got the best deal out of the two,” said fan Justin Thornhill. “I think Mark Adams is a defensive mastermind.”

Read the full article on everythinglubbock.com, published April 6, 2021.

LUBBOCK, Texas — Texas Tech’s Department of Environmental Toxicology released a study in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health on the effectiveness of mask mandates during the pandemic.

Tech Professor of Advanced Materials Dr. Seshadri Ramkumar worked with doctoral student James Ayodeji for approximately seven months to examine how COVID-19 data trends in states that implemented mask mandates throughout the pandemic in 2020. 

“In that time of the severe pandemic, this was one of the first lines of defense,” said Ramkumar. “The simple things which we take for granted – a face mask – made out of cotton, can save lives, nobody knew.”

Their research backed up just how effective masks can be as a public health tool. 

“We have looked at the efficacy of facemask mandates on curtailing the COVID infection rates in 32 states from April 1, 2020 to December 31, 2020,” said Ramkumar. “The whole three quarters where the surge was ongoing after WHO declared this pandemic in March of last year.”

The majority of states in the study saw a reduction in COVID-19 cases within three to four weeks after implementing the mandate. 

Read the full article on everythinglubbock.com, published April 5, 2021.

LUBBOCK, Texas — Following the tragic mass shooting in Boulder, CO earlier this week, and the others before that, Lubbock officers are reminding us of being prepared in the event that we find ourselves in an active shooter situation.

“We can’t just naturally be expected to know how to respond to a mass shooting, somebody does have to come and teach you about it,” said Lubbock Police Corporal Chris Paine. “What we like to promote is, is that you visit the mindset of awareness on occasion.”

Paine has traveled all across the country providing active shooter trainings that are designed to teach the average, unarmed citizen what they should do to protect themselves wherever they might encounter an active shooter.

“Odds are overwhelmingly in your favor already to survive a mass shooting incident,” said Paine. “But then when you add training, and preparation and specifics in planning, chances, chances for us to be overwhelmingly successful, they increase a hundredfold.”

He said that avoiding, denying and defending are key components of staying safe. Avoid means finding an exit plan – look at your surroundings and keep in mind an escape route when you’re in a new place.

“Avoiding, obviously, you would want to be away from the trouble from any physical harm, but it’s more than just getting away it’s identifying avenues of escape it’s taking micro-actions,” he explained.

Read the full article on everythinglubbock.com, published on March 25, 2021.