Oct. 21, 2004
Hi Ian,
Keep up the great work! My question is simple. When will the start times for the remainder of the football games be announced? Any chance of the A&M game, whether televised or not, being an evening start and does the Big 12 conference decide that? Also, can you give us an update on the new logo?
Elia
Dallas
Editor's Note: A similar question regarding football kickoff times was received by Gary Grigsby (Houston, Texas), while a similar question about the logo was received by Phil Warner (Dallas, Texas).
Elia,
Thank you for the e-mail and kind words.
Big 12 policy calls for game times of contests that are not selected for television to be set by the home team.
Several Baylor game times are now set, while some remain to be announced. The annual homecoming game versus Iowa State will be played at 2:05 this Saturday. We are looking forward to an enthusiastic crowd and seeing a lot of alumni and friends on campus this weekend.
We have just set the Texas A&M game for 6:05 on October 30. The game times for the road games at Texas Tech and Oklahoma State will be determined by those institutions if the games are not selected for television. Baylor's final home game against Oklahoma will be either a late morning or early afternoon start depending upon television.
The logo project has taken longer than we anticipated. We would rather delay the unveiling and get it right than rush to a quick conclusion. Our staff and a couple of alumni with illustration expertise have reviewed further iterations since the focus groups and provided more detailed direction to Rickabaugh Graphics. We are scheduled for a return visit from Rickabaugh in November. We will keep you posted as we draw to conclusion.
Ian
Ian, You guys are doing a great job. Keep up the good work. I have a couple of marketing questions: one, what is currently being done in Waco to get more people in the stands? More commercials, billboards, merchandise in stores, player/coach exposure in public? Waco does not have much in terms of entertainment. You could really capitalize and promote on the level that some same-sized cities do with minor league baseball, CBA, etc... That is the secret in the south. They have nothing but SEC sports to rally around.
Also, where are you guys in the process of establishing the secondary bear logo and when will it be released?
Thanks for all you are doing.
Clint Whistler
Lubbock, Texas
Clint,
Thanks for your support!
Our marketing staff has focused the majority of its energy on three critical areas: marketing (special emphasis on students), the game day experience and our licensing/merchandising operation. In my view, we are making solid progress in each area.
We were pleased with both the attendance and atmosphere at the first two home games (Texas State, North Texas). The Missouri game was a challenge due to the late start time, television and weather conditions, however, the fans (especially students) in attendance were terrific!
I addressed the logo situation in the previous question from Elia.
Ian
Ian, Saturday was Baylor's first game in front of a nationally televised audience, and yet there were hardly any fans in the stands. You mentioned in earlier chat sessions that your goal was to get the student body more involved. How was that goal accomplished on Saturday night against Missouri, and what message does that send to our alumni?
Jack Jarrett
Flower Mound, Texas
Jack,
I appreciate your e-mail.
Moving the starting time of the Missouri game to 9:00 CT certainly presented challenges for many Baylor fans and our marketing efforts. Moreover, television and the rain prior to the game also contributed to a smaller crowd than we expected.
The students came out in great numbers for the Battle of the Bands event that was held in Touchdown Alley prior to the game. However, when the rains came, we did lose a number of students and had to cancel the performances of the remaining bands.
The national television exposure for the program was valuable from both an institutional marketing perspective and in terms of football recruiting. I had an opportunity to watch portions of the broadcast and Baylor was portrayed very favorably especially during interviews with President Sloan, Darold Williamson and alumnus Carroll Dawson, General Manager of the Houston Rockets and Executive Vice President of the Houston Comets. Moreover, the shots of the student sections during the game conveyed a great deal of school spirit and enthusiasm.
Ian
Ian, Has any thought been given to having a fireworks show after every football home game. One of the problems BU has had over the years is that our fans leave early if we are winning or of we are losing. Something needs to be done to keep our crowds around for the singing of the Baylor Line. Maybe we could team up with local vendors to pass out coupons for free food or the like at exits after time has expired.
I hate to have to bribe fans to stay but the tradition has to start somewhere. Also, I know this has been addressed but I still would love to have the players and coaches on the field for the singing of the Baylor Line after the game.
Trent Collier
Corpus Christi, Texas
Trent,
Thank you for the e-mail.
The fireworks that we have used during the game have been very well received. They add to the atmosphere and are a wonderful way to celebrate Baylor coming on the field or scoring a touchdown.
We have had some discussion about a fireworks show after the game or possibly at half-time and you may see that in the future.
This week versus Iowa State, the team will be wearing tribute uniforms to honor the 1974 team that won the Southwest Conference championship and is celebrating the 30th anniversary of the Miracle on the Brazos. The 1974 team will be introduced at the game and also participate in a number of other activities during homecoming. It is certain to be an exciting weekend!
Ian
Ian, I like some of the caps and shirts that the coaches are wearing during the recent football games. Particularly, I like the green Nike caps, with the BU on the front, and bears on the back (I think) that some of the coaches are wearing. Other coaches are wearing white caps, with a little green outlining the bill. I can't seem to locate these in the spirit sales shop - either on-line or at the game. Where can I find these items?
JB Lamb
Richardson, Texas
JB,
The apparel that the coaches wear on the sidelines during the games is exclusively ordered and designed for them by Nike and is not available in stores. However, we have been working closely with Nike and have a good selection of similar apparel that is available in the Baylor Bookstore, on-line and in other select locations.
We have recently met with Collegiate Licensing and the licensing department on campus in order to improve upon the quality, selection and distribution of Baylor merchandise. Due to long lead times, it takes a while for the merchandise that we are putting into the system to reach the stores, but be assured that we are making progress in getting desirable Baylor product to as many outlets as possible.
Ian
Ian, Not a question, just a THANK YOU from a mom that tries to make all the volleyball games played on Saturdays in Waco and lives near Houston. The video online will allow me to listen LIVE to all the action! I truly appreciate the opportunity to cheer the Lady Bears from home!!!
Thanks again and I hope to meet you at the next Saturday home game.
Carla Louviere
Houston, Texas
Carla,
We have received a great deal of positive feedback regarding the on-line video that is offered at BaylorBears.com. Nick Joos, his staff in media relations, and Bryan Bray, our Director of BaylorVision, have done an excellent job in working with our partner CSTV in providing this service to Baylor fans.
We have had thousands of Baylor fans follow contests through video streaming this year and welcome all of you to join us. Look for several men's and women's basketball games to be streamed live this winter and when we get to the spring, look for a full slate of baseball games and a softball game or two thrown into the mix. We want to continue to bring our games to our fans and friends unable to make the trek to Waco.
Thanks for the question.
Ian
