For decades, sports leagues have become closely associated with certain holidays from Thanksgiving and football to Christmas and the NBA. But one holiday has been claimed almost entirely by college football: New Year’s Day. Since 1916, the Rose Bowl has been played on New Year’s Day, and since 1935, the Orange Bowl has helped welcome in each new year, making January 1 inseparable from college football.In this year’s Orange Bowl, the No. 4 Texas Tech Red Raiders will face off against the No. 5 Oregon Ducks in a highly anticipated matchup. Texas Tech enjoyed a remarkable season, but one of the most powerful moments of the year came off the field. When the team’s barber and his family found themselves in need, the Red Raider community came together with help from an unexpected source.

A Family in Need

On October 16, 2025, tragedy struck the family of Ivan Ortiz. His wife, Maddie, was struck by a drunk driver, leaving her with serious injuries, a long recovery time, and mounting medical bills. Because of this, Ivan was forced to step away from his job as the team barber and his work at a private studio, to focus on helping with her recovery and caring for their three-year-old son.

Ortiz started a GoFundMe with the goal of raising $25,000 to help cover these expenses.

A Helping Hand

The GoFundMe began gaining traction within the Red Raider community, raising about $11,000 before going viral thanks in large part to BYU fans on X.

Thanks to BYU fans,  the fundraiser has raised nearly $200,000 for the family.

“God is good. I’m lost for words seeing how far our story has touched others during this difficult time,” Ortiz wrote on X in reaction to the flurry of donations. “We’re not prepared for trauma, nor do we know how to handle the situation. I appreciate everyone for the continued prayers and for helping us during this time.”

Greater Than the Gridiron

Texas Tech defeated BYU convincingly when the two teams met on November 8, then did it again to close out the year,  solidifying their spot at No. 4 in the College Football Playoff. It marked the program’s highest ranking in nearly 17 years.

BYU responded with a strong finish of its own, defeating Georgia Tech in the Pop-Tarts Bowl and ending the season ranked No. 12 in the nation.

Stories like these remind us why sports matter. They bring people together, inspire resilience, and uplift communities. We can be fierce competitors on the field and still stand together off it.

If you would like to support the Ortiz family, you can donate here.

From everyone at Greater Than The Game, Inc., we wish you a happy, healthy, and impactful 2026.