“Red Raider” to the very end

The following excerpts are from Adam Zuvanich, So, you think you’re a diehard Red Raiders fan?, Lubbock Avalanche-Journal, Dec. 10, 2008:

If you claim to be a Texas Tech fan for life, you don’t have to stop there.

You can take your love for the Red Raiders straight to the grave – and keep it there for eternity.

Along with traditional memorabilia such as caps, jerseys and pennants, the ultimate fan can now purchase caskets and urns adorned with the Texas Tech emblem. * * *

Clint Mytych, the * * * 27-year-old founder and president [of Eternal Image], said the retail price for the Tech casket is $4,699, and at least one has already been sold. He said the urns, which will soon be available, cost $799.

This unusually morbid line of merchandise isn’t exclusive to Tech. Eternal Image has a licensing agreement with the Collegiate Licensing Company, which represents nine conferences and more than 150 schools across the country. Among the funeral company’s other licensees are Major League Baseball, Star Trek, the American Kennel Club and the Vatican.

Special thanks to Sara Hudman (May 2008 J.D., Texas Tech University School of Law) for bringing the this article to my attention.