Sept. 13, 2004
Ian,
The pre-game activities were terrific! Having our Olympic medalists lead the team in was awesome. Thanks for a great display.
Could we have the Line come in AFTER the state song? It's a matter of a minute or two. I noticed that, after the Line came in - while "Texas Our Texas" was being played - that there were 4 minutes left before the team was to arrive. Can't we spread it out so that the state anthem can get the respect it deserves?
And, why can't we sell the south end zone? When my kids were little, they could buy tickets for a nominal fee and occupy that otherwise empty space. Wouldn't it be better to GIVE AWAY tickets to the south end zone & have it filled, than to have it look so barren & empty?
Thanks for having the bear in attendance - even for a short period of time.
Yours truly,
Nancy Dillard Franklin
Mt. Calm, Texas
Nancy,
Thank you for the kind comments and your questions.
I was very pleased with the game-day experience that we provided our fans at the football game on Saturday night. The open with Jeremy Wariner and Darold Williamson was a special moment for all Baylor fans and it tied in well to the patriotic theme for the game on 9/11.
We also received very positive feedback regarding the fireworks, aesthetic improvements, enhanced concessions and merchandising, and the presence of the Baylor bears!
Perhaps the most significant results came from our student marketing efforts. The Baylor Line was in full force and students responded favorably to the new parking and tailgating area that we provided along with the ever popular complimentary food that was served. We also offered a shuttle service for students from campus to Floyd Casey Stadium for the first time and that was a positive as well.
We are looking forward to building upon these successes in the coming weeks.
Ian
Ian: First of all, congratulations on pulling off a great game-day atmosphere last Saturday. Overall, it was a big improvement.
However, one area that still needs drastic improvement (and should be very easy to improve) is the so-called "Up to the Minute" scoreboard for out-of-town games. These scores are usually hours behind. (In one case - during the second quarter - I saw a score listed as 0-0 in the 1st qtr, that was 3-3 in the 2nd when I left the house for the game).
It would seem that in the era of the internet, 24-hour cable news, cell phones, and handheld wireless, we should be able to post updated scores. Is there any way this can be fixed in the near future?
Jonathan Davis
Waco, Texas
Jonathan,
I appreciate your remarks about the game-day atmosphere and have been pleased with our fans positive response to the outstanding efforts of our game operations, broadcast and marketing staffs.
We have looked into the score update problem. On Saturday night, we had a new person in that role and he was pulling the scores off the internet, however, due to some difficulties in the booth beyond his control we had a number of problems. We will have this corrected for the North Texas game.
I look forward to seeing you on the 25th!
Ian
Ian, Could you please ask Coach Morriss why Paul Mosley only played one series when he averaged 6 yards per carry against Texas State? I believe in Coach Morriss and feel that he will get the program turned around.
I saw you at the game interacting with the crowd. You said hello to me in passing. THANK YOU!! You are a breath of fresh air in the Athletic Department.
Sic'Em Bears
Jonathan Stinson
Killeen, Texas
Jonathan,
It was great to see you at the game on Saturday and I look forward to seeing you at the next five home games as well.
Coach Morriss addressed the running back playing time situation in his post-game comments. He commended Paul Mosley for his rushing abilities, but indicated that he wants him to become a more complete player before the coaches have the confidence to give him more playing time.
Coach Morriss and his staff are making progress and all of us need to support their efforts. Baylor football will get to the upper echelon of the Big 12 much more quickly if our fans come out and support the team with a positive attitude.
Thank you for your support!
Ian
Ian: You advanced your athletic administration career faster than most. What do you attribute your fast rise to (good mentor, education, etc.)?
Thank you,
Daniel Hart
Houston, Texas
Daniel,
Thanks for the question. It certainly isn't good looks!
I was very fortunate to have had excellent academic preparation throughout both my undergraduate and graduate education when I earned degrees in sports administration and sport management.
However, more importantly, I have been blessed to be associated with outstanding people throughout my professional career.
I had the privilege to serve under Kevin White, the athletic director at Notre Dame, for eight years at two different institutions and he afforded me opportunities and experiences well beyond my years. Subsequently, I become one of the youngest Division I athletic directors in the nation and served at the Division I-AA level for six years where we enjoyed a good measure of success. However, it is a team effort, and we have achieved success because of outstanding coaches, staff members and student-athletes who have excelled in what they do.
I was deeply honored to be invited to serve Baylor as its athletic director last year at this time. With the exceptional people associated with this institution and athletic program, we are sure to achieve great success in the years to come!
Ian
Good day Ian: I'm Stephen Ferguson in Nassau, Bahamas and I jus finished watching the men's 4x400m relay and I see that you have two of your students that were in the race. I would like to know if I could have their email address so that I can send them a shout out. Thanking you in advance or you could ask their request.
Stephen Ferguson
Nassau, Bahamas
Stephen,
We have received an overwhelming response to the Olympic performances of Jeremy Wariner and Darold Williamson. These two student-athletes earning three gold medals and international attention has provided immeasurable benefits to Baylor, the athletic program and our track and field program. Moreover, it is a tremendous credit to head coach Clyde Hart and the outstanding work that he does.
You can always send information to us on-line at BaylorBears.com under "contact us" and we will be sure to get it to Jeremy and Darold, or you are welcome to send correspondence to our track and field office at the following address:
Baylor Track and Field
Ferrell Center
Baylor University
Waco, TX 76706
Also, if you have any outstanding 400 meter prospects in the Bahamas, I am sure that Coach Hart will want to hear from you!
Ian
Ian: We were told there would be a new logo by the beginning of August, then before the football season began. When the unveiling is planned and do the visitors to www.baylorbears.com get a chance to take a look at some of the options?
Philip Warner
Dallas, Texas
Philip,
Thank you for the e-mail.
The latest versions of Baylor bear logos were reviewed by several focus groups in August and have been sent back to Rickabaugh Graphics for further development. We had more than 130 alumni, friends, staff and students participate in this process and they provided valuable feedback.
We expect to have a near final set of illustrations presented next week (Sept. 20-24) that we will similarly share with focus groups as we move towards the final result. The process has not moved as swiftly as I would have desired, however, it is more important to have a good outcome than to rush to conclusion.
At this time, we have not set an unveiling date, but we will keep you posted via BaylorBears.com as we get to that point.
Ian
Ian:
Can you have marketing create some desktop wallpaper for fans? I want to have some cool wallpaper on my computer (and screensaver) that I can proudly display at work that I am a proud Baylor Bear?
Quoc Nguyen
Houston, Texas
Quoc:
Currently, we do offer some wallpaper on www.baylorbears.com. Hopefully, you'll have a chance to download it display your Baylor pride.
Thanks for writing.
Ian
Ian: Simple question.
Does Baylor have an affiliation with NIKE or adidas?
Glen R. Wyant, MD
Dallas, Texas
Glen,
Baylor Athletics has developed relationships with a broad set of shoe companies and apparel manufacturers. The athletic department has chosen to have several different relationships on a sport-by-sport basis instead of a department-wide agreement as many other college athletic programs have done.
As we move forward, we intend to strongly consider a future department-wide relationship once the existing agreements expire in four years.
Thank you for the excellent question.
Ian
Dear Ian: This is not a question, just a comment. I am both shocked and embarrassed by the question asked by the person from The Woodlands, Texas regarding the use of the current "punter" in promotional material for Baylor football.
Beside the fact that your marketing people have to use the "best proven" players in their promotions, I personally take great offense that someone would even question the decision.
From everything I hear the "punter" in question is one of the good examples of what is right with college and Baylor football. Given some of the characters that a program has to deal with in playing Division I football, it is refreshing to see someone like this young man.
Gordon C Goodier
> Kingwood, Texas
Gordon,
Thank for your recent comment. Daniel Sepulveda is an outstanding student-athlete, truly deserving of the attention he has received from both our Media Relations and Marketing staffs.
Last week, he was one of 36 players named to the Ray Guy Award Watch List and he responded with a 55.0 yard punting average against Texas State. He had a 60-yard punt in the game that really flipped the field and is a great weapon for our team.
Off the field, Daniel is a candidate for Academic All-America honors and is very active in many of our program's community outreach activities. Simply put, he is a tremendous role model for all and is most-deserving of being used in our promotional materials.
Thanks again for your comments.
Ian
