Regular visitors of Notinhalloffame.com know that we are slowly working on the top 50 of every major team in the NHL, NBA, NFL, and MLB. Once that is done, we will examine how each team honors its past players, coaches, and executives. As such, it is important to us that Texas Tech has announced the eight-person Class of 2025.

The Red Raiders' 2025 Hall of Fame Class spans multiple sports and will be formally inducted on November 7, with additional recognition during Texas Tech’s home game against BYU.

The 2025 Texas Tech Hall of Fame Class members are:

Ryan Aycock, Football, 2000-03.  Aycock helped the Red Raiders reach a bowl game in all four of his seasons, and the defensive back recorded 11 Interceptions and 338 Tackles. 

Janine Beckie, Women’s Soccer, 2012-15.  Beckie led Texas Tech to its first NCAA Tournament appearance, and then went on to the next three.  She also led the Red Raiders to their first conference title and set a school record with 57 Goals.  Internationally, she starred for Canada and won Olympic Gold in 2021, and professionally, she helped Manchester City win two FA Cups and two League Cups.

Gabriella Dominguez, Women’s Golf, 2009-13.  Dominguez finished eighth in the 2012 NCAA Championship, which is the same season she set the school record with a 72.8 scoring average.

JaCorian Duffield, Men’s Track and Field, 2011-15.  Duffield is one of the best High Jumpers in Red Raider history, having won the National Indoor and Outdoor Championships.

Aaron Hunt, Football, 1999-2002.  Hunt was a phenomenal pass rusher for Texas Tech, having recorded 34 Sacks, 46.5 Tackles for Loss, and played a part in two bowl wins (2002 Tangerine and 2003 Houston).  He later played ten years in the Canadian Football League.

Matt Kastelic, Baseball, 1995-96.  Kastelic was a three-time All-America Selection, and Texas Tech had a 100-29 record in his games played.  He helped the Red Raiders reach their first two NCAA Tournaments and win their first Conference Tournament.  Individually, Kastellic batted .389 with a school-record 97 Stolen Bases.

B.J. Symons, Football, 2001-03.  Symons threw for an FBS record 5,833 Yards in 2003 under the explosive Mike Leach offense and held 11 NCAA records after he left the school. 

Cierra White, Track and Field, 2012-15.  White, a three-time Big 12 Champion sprinter, was an 11-time All-America honoree.

We here at Notinhalloffame.com would like to congratulate the incoming members of the Texas Tech Athletic Hall of Fame.

Learn the latest trends and techniques for marketing casinos in 2025 and beyond, including leveraging influencers on TikTok and engaging customers.

Casino Marketing Strategies for Web 3.0

Marketing in the present technological era is no longer a one-size-fits-all game, and even the gaming and casino industry is not left out. It has entered a new period in which people in 2025 must be proactive in hunting for customers and connecting with them through every possible channel, especially those that include traditional and new media. With all these tools and platforms available to them, marketers are free to try anything from TikTok to VR spaces in the metaverse today, more than ever before.

TikTok Takes Center Stage

Video reigns supreme in 2025, and TikTok has led the charge with its short, snackable clips that grab attention. The platform now boasts over 1.5 billion monthly active users, making it a prime channel for Robocat wanting exposure to new players.

Younger generations like Millennials and Gen Z grew up on social media and are receptive to branding efforts there. By partnering with gaming-focused influencers on TikTok, casinos can organically integrate their offerings into content already capturing this lucrative market.

Influencer marketing has become a $20 billion industry, and the right TikTok personalities can drive real results:

• Humanizing your brand
• Generating excitement around new games and promotions
• Boosting sign-ups and activity from new demographics

But viral trends move quickly, so casinos must stay nimble and on top of the latest memes and challenges.

Getting Immersive with VR and AR

Virtual and augmented reality open new dimensions for casino marketing. Full VR spaces in the metaverse allow brands to create engaging environments beyond what’s possible in the real world. With customizable avatars, users can socialize and get to know your casino offerings in a fun way.

Table games and slots can be simulated in VR, letting people preview the experience. And AR overlays during live sporting events provide a second-screen experience to complement the action. March Madness brackets, Super Bowl squares, and wacky prop bets can be integrated via AR for seamless entertainment.

Of course, regulatory hurdles around real-money gaming still exist in most jurisdictions. But the foundation is being laid for integrated metaverse casinos, where tokens and cryptocurrency will fuel the next generation of immersive gambling. Forward-looking brands are claiming their virtual real estate now before the VR land rush truly takes off.

Hybrid Experiences Bridge Gaps

For all the promise of digital engagement, real-world experiences still drive growth for casinos. Special events and tournaments bring in new customers while rewarding loyal patrons. Their challenge is bridging the gap between physical and virtual worlds to provide hybrid experiences.

Hybrid event technology is maturing quickly. Streaming allows remote users to follow the action and even compete in some cases. Integrated mobile apps let in-person and virtual attendees interact via live polls, leaderboards, mini-games, and prizes powered by RFID, NFC, and QR codes.

With flexible formats spanning both worlds, casinos can maximize reach and revenue. Promotions like interactive scavenger hunts on casino floors encourage exploration while engaging online participants. Branded hashtags and user-generated content incentives make events more shareable across social media.

The lines between physical and digital continue to blur. Successful casinos will embrace omnichannel strategies to engage customers wherever they are—in person or online.

Looking Ahead to Web 3.0 Marketing

Marketing technology will keep evolving along with the internet itself. Web 3.0 and the metaverse will open new avenues to connect with audiences:

• Decentralization through blockchain makes transparency and security a priority. Gambling on decentralized platforms allows for provably fair games.
• User ownership of data and digital assets puts more control in individuals’ hands. Casino tokens and NFT prizes are the next wave of rewards programs.
• Machine learning and AI will enable more personalized and predictive engagement based on context and preferences.
• Interconnected environments centered on avatars persist between experiences. Your casino avatar travels with you across virtual worlds.

The past decade has seen unprecedented changes in how we interact online and access entertainment. Rather than being intimidated by constant change, forward-looking casino marketers embrace this fluidity and adapt quickly to engage customers wherever they are—both today and in the evolving internet landscapes of tomorrow.

 Online sportsbooks compete for new users with tempting welcome bonuses in 2025. Here’s what to look for to maximize your value.

Best Bonuses to Look on Sportsbooks in 2025

As online sports betting grows in popularity across regions, sportsbooks compete to attract new users. One way they do this is by offering lucrative signup bonuses and promotions. If you plan to create a sports betting account in 2025, be sure to take advantage of these new user deals.

Compare the Welcome Bonus Fine Print

When assessing welcome offers at legal sports betting sites, the bonus value gets attention. But it’s equally important to read the attached terms and conditions.

Sportsbooks like NordicBet attach rollover requirements to their bonuses. This means you must bet a certain amount of your own money before you can withdraw bonus funds. The lower the playthrough, the more valuable the offer.

Also check if there’s a time limit to complete the rollover. Some books give new users just seven days. The most user-friendly promotions offer 30 days or more.

Don’t forget to see which sports count 100% towards playthrough. Casino games often contribute little or nothing at all.

Use Free Bet Promotions on Longshot Wagers

In 2025, expect to see more sportsbooks award new bettors with risk-free bets and bet credits. These essentially give you free money to wager on whatever you’d like.

Since you aren’t putting your own cash on the line, use these promotions to take a shot on risky bets with high odds. Wager on big underdogs, player prop longshots or high-paying parlays.

Hitting one of these free wagers equals instant and withdrawable profit.

Be Ready for Enhanced Odds Offers

One trend we’ll see more of in 2025 is sportsbooks enhancing odds for new players.

For example, a book may boost the line for NFL Week 1 games by +100 odds. So something paying +200 for existing users would pay +300 for those who just signed up.

Parlay insurance is another popular promotion you can find. This gives bettors a refund if their parlay loses by one leg.

Make sure to opt into these when creating your new account. Then you’ll receive alerts when enhanced odds or special promotions pop up.

Create Accounts Before Major Events

The online sportsbooks get extremely competitive around events like the Super Bowl, March Madness and other major championships or tournaments.

They roll out the red carpet for new bettors right before these take place. That means outrageously valuable signup promotions if your timing is right.

Take advantage of multiple sportsbooks, too. There’s nothing stopping you from grabbing several welcome bonuses.

Make Sure You Can Clear Rollovers

It’s easy to get blinded by dollar signs when assessing sportsbook welcome offers. A $1,000 first deposit match sounds incredible.

But not if it comes with an unrealistic 25x rollover attached.

Only accept bonuses you feel confident you can complete. Don’t just look at the headline number. Make sure your style of betting meets the playthrough terms.

If you prefer betting spreads and totals, a rollover requiring lots of -300 favorite moneyline bets will be difficult to clear. Find the right offer that matches how you intend to bet.

Conclusion

The online sports betting space keeps getting more competitive. That’s excellent news for users who get to enjoy lucrative signup promotions at legal sportsbooks.

Just make sure to do your homework before locking in a welcome bonus. Terms and conditions apply to all these offers. If they work for your betting style, take advantage of risk-free bets, deposit matches and enhanced promotions.

Creating accounts around high-profile events like the Super Bowl or March Madness Tourney allows you to maximize the value. Get ready to cash in on exciting introductory bonuses at online sportsbooks when 2025 rolls around.

1979 PRELIMINARY RESULTS:

Thank you to all who participated in the Pro Football Hall of Fame Revisited Project. If you are still determining what that is, we acted like the PFHOF had its first class in January 1946.

We have completed the first 31 years thus far.

For “1979,” a Preliminary Vote with close to 100 players whose playing career ended by 1973. We are also following the structure, where players have 20 years of eligibility, and if they do not make it into the Hall, they are relegated to the Senior Pool.

Each voter was asked to select 25 names from the preliminary list, and the top 25 vote-getters were named Semi-Finalists.

A week later, the voters will be asked to select 15 names from the 25 Semi-Finalists, and then choose five from the remaining 15. We will continue this process on a weekly basis until we catch up to the current year.

Please note that a significant change occurred “years ago,” allowing voters to submit less than the allotted spots. 

30 Votes took place.

This is for the “Modern Era”

Bold indicates they advanced to the Semi-Finals:

*Indicates they have been removed from future ballots

This is for the “Senior Era”

Bold indicates they advanced to the Semi-Finals:

*Indicates that they will be removed from the ballot permanently.

Please note that one voted for “None of the Above.”

This is for the “Coaches/Contributors”

Bold indicates they advanced to the Semi-Finals:

*Indicates that they will be removed from the ballot permanently.

Next week, we will announce the Semi-Finalists for the 1978 Pro Football Hall of Fame Revisited Project.