May 23, 2005
Ian,
First, congratulations on a tremendous year in Baylor Athletics. My question concerns our football uniforms. Is there any possibility that the uniforms worn during the Homecoming game may become our regular uniforms? I know many, many fans preferred those uniforms over the ones worn for all of the other games.
Thanks,
Bryan Harrison
Waco, Texas
Bryan,
Thanks for the question and comments. The football team used vintage 1974 uniforms as a way of commemorating Baylor's Southwest Conference championship team that was honored during Homecoming last year.
The promotional aspect of the event was quite successful and the players really enjoyed the uniforms, especially the old-school socks. I'm told that the design of our new uniforms for next fall will be quite similar to the design of the throwback jerseys.
Ian
Ian, Is it possible to put in a radar gun at the baseball field? I watched a replay of the A&M/Baylor game and noticed they showed the speed of each pitch. I think it would be neat for the fans to see how fast our pitchers actually throw.
John Wallace Jr.
McAllen, Texas
John,
Thanks for the idea about the radar gun reading. As you may know, many major league ballparks offer this feature to fans and I will pass it along for consideration. Coach Smith and our staff have done an excellent job of annually making improvements at Baylor Ballpark and the game day experience for our fans.
Ian
Ian, Thanks for all you do for Baylor Athletics. You are doing a great job.
I looked for a Baylor tennis shirt at the online store. Looks like they used to carry them but it appears they no longer do so.
Know where I can find one?
Thanks!
John Hall
Atlanta, Ga.
John,
Hopefully we will be offering a 2005 NCAA tennis championship t-shirt to our fans later this week.
Matt Knoll and his program are having a special season. To complete a year undefeated against the high level competition that Baylor faces in the Big 12 Conference and nationally is truly remarkable. Stay tuned to BaylorBears.com for an opportunity to purchase Baylor tennis national championship apparel in the coming days.
Ian
Mr. McCaw, Thanks for the great, great job you are doing her at Baylor. It's exciting to have you on our team. I just have one quick question.
I've noticed lately that there are advertisements running on the right side of the website that appear to be part of the hosting, not specifically related to BU. I don't mean to sound like a fuddy duddy, but I've noticed that almost every time I log on there is a questionable ad showing. They seem to mostly be a bit racy. I've logged on twice lately, only to see scantily clad gals advertising some video game and I think the other one was WWF (wrestling) or something?
Were you aware of this? And/or do you think it is appropriate for Baylor's website?
Thank you,
Rick Smith
Waco, Texas
Rick,
Thanks for the kind words and question about BaylorBears.com.
We are in the first year of a five-year contract with College Sports Online as our website provider. They offer us wonderful features as the host of our site including Gametracker, Bearcasts, the on-line store and auction. In addition, College Sports Online does sell advertising on the site and that revenue is split between their company and Baylor Athletics.
I am familiar with the WWF advertisement that you mentioned and it was certainly questionable. We will pay close attention to future advertisements to ensure that our site appropriately represents Baylor and our athletic program.
Ian
Ian, With the tremendous success Coach Drew and Coach KMR are having there seems to be a rising level of interest in our basketball program. I know in the recent past we have not had a midnight madness event, but that is something that the younger fan base of central Texas would love to see return. Is there anyway we could make Midnight Madness a part of our yearly traditions.
Trent Collier
Waco, Texas
Trent,
Without question, there has never been more excitement and interest in Baylor basketball than there is now. Coaches Mulkey-Robertson's and Drew's programs have Baylor fans at a fevered pitch in anticipation for next season.
The NCAA has adopted new legislation that relaxes the midnight starting time requirements involved in hosting a celebration event to start the basketball season. With that, our marketing staff will be working with the basketball programs to develop a season opening event that will be exciting for all fans.
Ian
Ian, With all the {positive} vibe going on for Baylor with its men's and women's sports - why are you / your department not doing more advertising, billboards, commercials, etc.? Strike while the iron's hot idea. Coming to / from Waco - you need billboards, radio advertisements, etc. this will spill over to other parts of the university.
Just my ideas - I am a moderate Lady Bears and football fan. Lift the stature and respect when you are able - the chance doesn't come often.
Eddie Yeager
McGregor, Texas
Eddie,
I don't know where you have been driving and looking for billboards, however, I am aware of at least six billboards in Waco that recognize the Lady Bears basketball national championship.
This is not a time of year when we do a great deal of advertising since we do not have another regular season home competition for more than three months. We will initiate a multi-media marketing campaign for football beginning in early August as the season approaches.
Ian
Ian, Once again, I want to commend you and your staff on the excellent job that you have been doing.
In particular, I wanted to say that I really enjoyed the new signage and especially the new Banners at Baylor Ballpark. They add a lot to the experience.
I'd like to see the same thing at our other venues, specifically Floyd Casey and the Ferrell Center. The concourses at FCS could use some color. I can't wait to see the completion of the Grant Teaff Plaza, from the designs it looks like it will make it a much better experience for the fans.
Scott Lackey
Pflugerville, Texas
Scott,
Thanks for the kind words. The new banners at Baylor Ballpark came out beautifully and we have received many compliments. We plan on having a similar set of banners at Floyd Casey Stadium to commemorate the tradition and success of the football program as well.
The Grant Teaff Plaza project is on schedule to be completed in August. We look forward to it making a tremendous difference in the physical appearance of the Stadium and enhancing the game day experience for fans. Renderings may be viewed on BaylorBears.com under the Victory With Integrity button.
Ian
Closing Thoughts Congratulations to Coach Moore and the Baylor softball team for winning the Auburn Regional and advancing to host a NCAA Super Regional this weekend at Getterman Stadium. This is a wonderful accomplishment for the No. 15-seeded Lady Bears, who enter this best of three series with No. 2 California with a school-record 50 victories.
We are excited about Baylor baseball earning a Big 12 co-championship over the weekend. This represents the fourth regular season conference championship for Baylor this year. BU had never won more than two regular season championships in its history prior to the 2004-05 academic year. If you count Big 12 Tournament titles won by our women's basketball and men's tennis teams, we've brought six conference championship trophies to Waco this year with one title still to be determined later this week in Oklahoma City.
We are looking forward to following the men's tennis team as it competes for a second consecutive national championship this week in College Station. Matt Knoll and his program deserve tremendous credit for the special season that they are enjoying.
The Bear Foundation Fund Drive is winding down, but it is not too late to join and take advantage of the many benefits that are offered. This is a great time to be a Baylor Bear and you will want to be a part of the continued success of Baylor Athletics next year. If you have not already done so, please contact the Baylor Bear Foundation at 254-710-4214 to join today!
