Nov. 30, 2005
Ian,
Last week I traveled to Waco, where I saw my first-ever Baylor game. I found the game (other than the score) to be a wonderful experience. First, I can't tell you how much I appreciate the invocation. The crowd was polite and there was good sportsmanship among both Baylor and Texas fans. This game also featured two great college bands.
Gene Gordon
Issaquah, Wash.
Gene,
Thank you for the positive comments. Our marketing and game management staff did a terrific job during the 2005 season and I appreciate all of their efforts. The game day experience for Baylor fans has improved significantly over the past two seasons and we look to add even more excitement in 2006.
As a side note, we will begin the renewal process for football season tickets earlier than ever before. Season tickets for 2006 will go on sale beginning in early February and the home schedule will feature seven games. TCU, Army, Kansas, Kansas State, Oklahoma, Texas A&M and a I-AA opponent to be announced shortly will make up the home slate.
Ian
Ian, Following the Nebraska vs. Baylor volleyball game in Waco, the Nebraska coach reported many derogatory comments coming from the 600+ spectators aimed at the NU players. Being a BU grad, I am concerned by these reports. Was anything done about the unruly fans and how can we prevent bad press in the future?
Steven Gottschalk
Bellevue, Nebraska
Steven,
It is most unfortunate when the actions of a few create a negative impression of our fans and institution. In this particular instance, one spectator had to be removed from the Ferrell Center and another couple of fans were warned for making inappropriate comments toward student-athletes on the Nebraska team.
It is my hope that Baylor is always a shining example of good sporting conduct and is known for having the best fans in the Big 12 and nation!
Ian
Dear Ian; As Baylor's 2005 football season is now at a close, many of us are turning our attention to the recruiting season. Our 2006 class looks to be strong, as was the last one.
One question: What's the current status of Shon Brown and David Gettis? They were some of our top recruits from last season, and I am wondering if they still plan to enroll at Baylor.
Thanks a bunch.
Benjamin Thomas
New York, New York
Benjamin,
As I have written before, Baylor fans should be very excited and proud of the outstanding work that all of our coaching staffs are doing in the area of recruiting.
I am very excited about the way that the 2006 football recruiting is coming together. Coach Morriss and his staff expect to land what will be the best of the four recruiting classes that they have brought to Baylor. Prospective student-athletes and high school coaches recognize that Baylor football is a program on the rise and interest has increased correspondingly.
Due to NCAA rules, I cannot comment of the two individuals that you mentioned since they are prospective student-athletes who may be recruited.
Ian
Ian, Why doesn't the men's basketball team have any games scheduled until mid-January? And, if the answer is that we're still on probation, how can we participate in the conference tournament?
Keith Rowley
Henderson, Nevada
Keith,
As you may be aware, one of the sanctions from the men's basketball scandal is that this year's team is unable to play the non-conference portion of its schedule and in turn will begin the season on January 11 at Texas Tech.
There was a terrific story in Monday's USA Today about how the basketball team is successfully overcoming the absence of a non-conference schedule. I encourage everyone to read this story about the positive approach that Coach Drew, his staff and student-athletes have taken. The link is: http://www.usatoday.com/sports/college/mensbasketball/big12/2005-11-27-baylor_x.htm.
Ian
Ian, I know this question has been addressed, but I think this needs to continue to be addressed as a concern from alums. Please help us bring back some consistency in our football uniforms by keeping the Gold helmets and the interlocking BU as our standard helmets. We finally are playing like a Big 12 team should, but then we take a step back and dress like a Division II or high school team. The multiple uniform changes this past year were uninspiring to me as an alum.
The Green helmets just do not look classy or intimidating. The Gold helmets carry years of tradition with it, and is one of the few athletic icons that all Baylor Alums can identify with. Thank you for your time and all the effort you have put into pushing BU athletics.
Go Bears!!!
Scott Mangum
Round Rock, Texas
Scott,
I appreciate your feedback. I have heard with great frequency from Baylor fans on both sides of the green versus gold helmet debate. It seems that our fans are fairly evenly split on this issue, although both sides express their position with passion.
Both the gold and green helmets consist of the university colors and in my view appropriately represent Baylor. My position is that this is Coach Morriss' call and I expect that we will see both helmets used in 2006.
Ian
Ian, The Case is much improved this year. Thanks for all of the hard work getting it together for the fans. I was about to renew season tickets this year by moving into the premium area, but I opted out after giving the new seats a test run. I appreciate the thoughtfulness of adding chairbacks, but the product just doesn't allow me to sit without extending my long legs sideways into my neighbor's legroom area. Is there any chance that a premium section may be restored without chairbacks, or that an area on the East Side could be reserved for season ticket holders?
Andy Pennington
Helotes, Texas
Editor's Note: A similar question with regard to chairback seats was sent by Clinton Ferguson, Jr. (Eastland, Texas).
Andy,
Thank you for the e-mail. The Bear Club chairback seat sections on the west side of Floyd Casey Stadium were adjusted by Preferred Seating prior to the Texas and Oklahoma State games.
Although a few rows remain tight, many fans have expressed satisfaction following this adjustment taking place. We are currently benchmarking the seats to determine how many rows provide fans with insufficient leg room. Once this study is completed, we will determine the next step and will let fans in the affected seats know the decision prior to the season ticket renewal process taking place.
We are currently making decisions about season ticket pricing, seat option values and how to best accommodate the increased demand for Baylor football season tickets. We will be announcing important football information early next year.
Ian
Ian, Last season, you could purchase women's basketball replica jerseys in the online store, but replica jerseys of the men's team were not available. Will men's team replica jerseys be available this year?
Adam Kaye
Katy, Texas
Adam,
We have asked the Baylor Bookstore to have a men's basketball jersey, number 14, available through the on-line store as soon as possible. We expect that it will be available shortly and certainly before the start of the men's season.
Ian
Closing Comments I hope everyone had an enjoyable and restful Thanksgiving Holiday!
Congratulations are in order for 14 football student-athletes and four volleyball student-athletes who earned Big 12 Academic Honors. While our attention is usually primarily focused on athletic performances, Baylor Athletics prides itself on the outstanding academic performance and graduation rates of our student-athletes.
Former Baylor standout Mike Singletary is one of six former NCAA student-athletes who have been named recipients of the 2006 Silver Anniversary Award. He is Baylor's second Silver Anniversary Award, following in the footsteps of men's basketball standout Jackie Robinson, and will be honored at the NCAA Convention in January.
The latest update on Lady Bear basketball season tickets is that we have reached the 4,900 mark. There is still time to purchase season tickets and help us to reach our goal of 5,000 for the 2005-06 season!
We recently announced a new student attendance incentive program called the "Golden Bear Rewards Club." Students will be afforded the opportunity to win prizes by attending games and supporting Baylor Athletics! This program applies to men's and women's basketball, baseball and softball (football in 2006) and gives students the opportunity to earn prizes including the Grand Prize, an all-inclusive trip for two to the Caribbean!
Our staff has been working hard in hosting a number of high school football playoff games this year at Floyd Casey Stadium. We are aggressive in seeking out these games as they provide benefits to the athletic department in terms of recruiting and revenue enhancement, as well as making a positive contribution to the university's admissions efforts and making a valuable impact on the local economy and business community. Your support of these high school playoff games is appreciated!
Finally, Baylor will also be hosting the Uncasing Ceremony for the 56th Brigade Combat Team, 36th Infantry Division on December 10th at Floyd Casey Stadium. We look forward to welcoming these heroes home and honoring them after serving our nation in Iraq over the past 12 months.
