Texas Tech Red Raiders Set to Unveil Hewitt Weaver Statue in Grand Tribute to a Lasting Legacy…
*LUBBOCK, TEXAS – In a powerful gesture that blends pride, remembrance, and gratitude, Texas Tech University has announced plans to unveil a statue honoring the legendary former player and coach **Hewitt Weaver**. This long-anticipated tribute stands as a monumental recognition of a man who dedicated his life to Red Raider football and left an indelible impact on Texas Tech athletics, education, and the wider West Texas community.*
The statue unveiling ceremony, scheduled for this fall outside Jones AT\&T Stadium, is expected to draw thousands of attendees — including former players, coaches, fans, administrators, and family members — in what promises to be one of the most emotionally resonant moments in Texas Tech history.
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### **Who Was Hewitt Weaver? A Quiet Giant of the Red Raiders**
Hewitt Weaver may not be a household name in every corner of America, but in Lubbock, he is considered football royalty. A multi-decade fixture at Texas Tech, Weaver’s impact spanned across roles and generations. From his time as a player in the 1950s, to his years as a defensive coordinator, mentor, and quietly influential behind-the-scenes figure, Weaver was known for his unwavering commitment, humility, and heart.
Weaver helped define the defensive identity of the Red Raiders through the 1970s and 1980s — leading the program’s feared units during an era when Texas Tech was known for toughness, discipline, and resilience. He coached under legendary head coaches and shaped countless young athletes who would go on to successful careers in football and beyond.
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### **A Long-Awaited Honor**
The idea for the statue had been discussed for years, with former players and boosters often calling for a public tribute. In 2024, a coalition of alumni and university supporters launched the **Hewitt Weaver Legacy Initiative**, raising over **\$2 million** in private donations to fund the sculpture, plaza, and an adjacent scholarship fund for student-athletes studying education — one of Weaver’s lifelong passions.
University President Dr. Lawrence Schovanec made the official announcement in early June, calling the statue “a celebration of a legacy built on loyalty, strength, humility, and service.”
> “Coach Weaver never asked for attention, but he earned our eternal respect,” said Schovanec. “This statue isn’t just for him — it’s for every player he molded, every student he guided, and every family he touched through decades of quiet leadership.”
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### **Statue Details: A Work of Art and Symbolism**
The bronze statue will stand **12 feet tall**, depicting Weaver in a classic coaching pose — playbook in hand, headset over one ear, eyes fixed toward the field. The sculpture, created by renowned sports artist **Blake Ellington**, was designed to capture the intensity, calm, and wisdom for which Weaver was known.
The statue will be placed prominently near the **Player Entrance Gate** at Jones AT\&T Stadium, where current players will pass it before every game — a symbolic reminder of the standards, work ethic, and tradition they are expected to uphold.
Etched on the base of the statue are some of Weaver’s most iconic sayings, including:
* *“Play smart, hit hard, but always play with class.”*
* *“It’s not about being seen; it’s about making others better.”*
* *“Respect the jersey. Respect the man next to you.”*
Nearby, an interactive kiosk will display a timeline of Weaver’s career, testimonials from former players, and clips from games and interviews, giving fans a multimedia look at his contributions.
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### **Voices of Gratitude: Former Players Reflect**
Perhaps the most telling evidence of Weaver’s impact comes from those who played for him.
**Mark Duncan**, former linebacker (Class of 1983), called Weaver “the soul of our locker room.”
> “Coach Weaver taught us more than football. He taught us how to be men, how to handle defeat with dignity, and how to lead without shouting,” said Duncan. “I owe him everything. We all do.”
**Jared Morales**, current assistant coach and former player under Weaver, added:
> “This isn’t just a statue. It’s a standard. It says, ‘Here’s how we do things at Texas Tech. Here’s what we value.’”
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### **A Day of Honor: What to Expect at the Unveiling Ceremony**
The unveiling ceremony, set for **October 18, 2025**, will take place on the eve of Texas Tech’s home game against Oklahoma State. It will feature:
* A **military flyover**, recognizing Weaver’s early service in the U.S. Army
* A special **Red Raider March**, where alumni players will escort the current team past the statue
* Speeches by family members, university leaders, and select former players
* A gospel choir rendition of *“The Eyes of Texas Tech”*, Weaver’s favorite song
* The official **statue unveiling and dedication prayer** by team chaplain Reverend Calvin Harris
Additionally, Texas Tech will designate the 2025 homecoming game as **”Weaver Legacy Day”**, with commemorative patches on player jerseys, limited-edition merchandise, and a special halftime tribute narrated by actor Josh Duhamel, who has supported Red Raiders causes in the past.
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### **A Legacy Beyond Football**
Though his name is most associated with the gridiron, Hewitt Weaver’s impact reached far beyond athletics. He taught part-time in Texas Tech’s College of Education for years and was a consistent voice for student-athlete wellness and academic integrity.
He helped establish early tutoring programs, supported mental health awareness before it became mainstream, and often paid out of pocket for struggling students’ books or rent — anonymously, of course.
Weaver’s family, including his widow Lorraine and daughter Melissa Weaver-Hale, spoke candidly about how much this tribute would have meant to him.
> “Dad never cared about statues,” Melissa said with a tearful smile. “But he would’ve cared deeply about what it stands for: loyalty, effort, love for your teammates. I know he’d be humbled — and a little embarrassed — but proud.”
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### **Conclusion: A Symbol of What Matters Most**
The Hewitt Weaver statue stands not only as a tribute to a man, but as a symbol of everything college athletics should strive for: character, commitment, and community.
As Texas Tech embarks on a new chapter in football under the returning guidance of Coach Mike Leach, the university roots itself firmly in the values of the past. And with this statue, every player, coach, and fan who enters the stadium will be reminded of a man who, without ever seeking recognition, became one of the most cherished figures in Red Raider history.
When the Red Raiders take the field this fall, they will do so under the watchful gaze of a coach who lived not for the spotlight, but for the team.
**And that, in the heart of West Texas, is what legacy truly means.**
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