BYU Fans Rally To Help Texas Tech Team Barber In Time Of Need
Nov 5, 2025, 3:31 PM | Updated: Nov 6, 2025, 9:14 am
LUBBOCK, Texas – Saturday’s BYU/Texas Tech game is a highly anticipated Top 10 matchup that will help shape the Big 12 championship race.
But no football game can be more important than life itself.
BYU fans have come together to assist a family with ties to the Texas Tech football program that is facing a time of need.
Ivan Ortiz, the barber of the Texas Tech football program, needed help.
Texas Tech Football Team Barber: Ivan Ortiz
Ortiz’s wife, Maddie, was injured in a car accident caused by a drunk driver last month. He shared his story on his personal Instagram page and launched a GoFundMe asking for help in an emotional time for his family that includes a 3-year-old son.
“My wife Maddie Ortiz was critically injured in a devastating car accident caused by a drunk driver on October 16th, leaving her with severe injuries and a long road to recovery,” Ivan Ortiz wrote on the GoFundMe page. “As she faces multiple surgeries and the possibility of being transferred to an out-of-state rehabilitation center, we’re struggling with the emotional and financial toll.”
NBC Lubbock, Texas affiliate KCBD also ran a story on the challenging road ahead for the Ortiz family.
BYU fan, “SportyMcSports” on X, who has more than 12,000 followers, shared the GoFundMe on his personal page. The anonymous X user has often used the account to rally followers to help others in need with a “#5dollarfriday” challenge.
BYU fans, we play Texas Tech this week, and one of their fans is in need of help. She was hit by a drunk driver and is in the ICU. Her husband is the team barber.
Let’s show them our love and support by Jimmering this go fund me! ❤️ https://t.co/8u17LRD4bT
— Sporty (@SportyMcSports) November 4, 2025
When Sporty shared the GoFundMe page, $5,000 had been raised to help the Ortiz family.
One day later, as of Wednesday afternoon, the funds raised had nearly reached $80,000.
BYU football fans rally to support Ortiz’s 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 on Wednesday. “We’re not prepared for trauma, nor do we know how to handle the situation. I appreciate everyone for the continued prayers and helping us during this time.”
God is good🙏🏽 I’m lost for words, seeing how far our story has touched others during this difficult time. We’re not prepared for trauma, nor do we know how to handle the situation. I appreciate everyone for the continued prayers and helping us during this time. 😪 #PrayForMaddie pic.twitter.com/wCdjuTSqpn
— Ivan Ortiz🌵💈Ŧ (@uncommon_ivan) November 5, 2025
BYU’s fan base is no stranger to lending a hand to those in need.
Last season, BYU fans stepped in to help Kansas State quarterback Avery Johnson, who launched a drive to help his high school principal battle cancer. BYU fans raised over $50,000.
At every road game the Cougars travel to, the school hosts a “Cougs Care” fundraiser to support the local community of the home team. This week, BYU’s “Cougs Care” event is a book drive supporting Literacy Lubbock, a non-profit focused on early childhood and family literacy, as well as adult education programs and ESL education.
While the heated competition on the field for Saturday’s game is on everyone’s mind, it can take a backseat to coming together to support a good cause.
No. 7 BYU at No. 8 Texas Tech
Date: Saturday, November 8, 2025
Location: Lubbock, Texas
Kickoff: 10 a.m. (MST)/11 a.m. (CST)
TV: ABC
Radio: KSL NewsRadio (102.7 FM, 1160 AM) — Extended pregame begins at 7 a.m.
Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for sports.ksl.com and hosts the Cougar Tracks Podcast daily on KSL Sports YouTube and KSL NewsRadio (SUBSCRIBE). Harper also co-hosts Cougar Sports Saturday (12–3 p.m.) on KSL NewsRadio.
Follow Mitch’s coverage of BYU athletics in the Big 12 Conference on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram: @Mitch_Harper.
