The Big 12 has decided it’s had enough of Lubbock’s most aerodynamic school spirit tradition. Starting immediately, any “items” — yes, that includes tortillas — tossed onto the field during a Texas Tech game will cost the school a 15-yard penalty and a $100,000 fine on the second offense. The first offense gets you a warning, which is generous considering the number of carb-based projectiles that usually hit the turf before kickoff even ends.
Athletic Director Kirby Hocutt tried to strike a balance, saying he wants to “keep the tortilla tradition a tradition,” but not one that results in a six-figure hit to the athletic budget every Saturday. In other words: please keep pretending we’re wild and rebellious, but don’t actually do anything.
This new rule applies to all Big 12 schools, but let’s be honest — nobody else in the conference is launching breakfast food onto the field like Lubbock. Hocutt’s message to students was clear: “We said throw them at the opening kickoff and then stop.” Naturally, students took that as “keep throwing them until the end zone looks like Taco Villa exploded.”
Guess we’ll find out what hurts more — losing 15 yards, or watching the spirit of Texas Tech football get wrapped up tighter than a burrito.
