Sept. 8, 2005
Ian,
Glad to see that the women's equestrian team is up and running, so to speak! I do have a few questions though. How much is Baylor spending on practice and competition facilities for the new team? Thanks!
C. Chris Bell
Spring, Texas
Chris,
Thank you for the question about the Equestrian program. The student-athletes have begun fall practice and have an upcoming competition at the University of Georgia. Coach Ellen White has done a wonderful job in putting the program together and the team is practicing and will compete this year at her farm in Waco.
We have had an overwhelming response from current Baylor students and prospective student-athletes interested in coming to Baylor and being part of this program.
We have been fundraising for a permanent facility for the equestrian program and expect to announce plans later this fall.
Ian
Ian,
When will you people ever try to recapture the spirit of days past when going to a Baylor game was fun? Like when Coach Teaff was on the sidelines with his strength coach waving his towel. That is what made Baylor fun to go see.
Steve Wright
Salt Lake City, Utah
Steve,
I think most of our fans enjoy the atmosphere of a Baylor football game. I see that you are writing from Salt Lake, Utah, so it may be difficult to discern from that location.
We have created Snickers Touchdown Alley for pre-game entertainment, a student tailgate area and the new Grant Teaff Plaza will celebrate the tradition of Baylor football. In-game, we have a state-of-the-art video board and numerous promotions.
Most importantly, this is the best Baylor football team in many years and everyone is going to want to be at Floyd Casey Stadium to take in all of the action!
Ian
Ian,
I have heard a lot about the new chairback seats. Why did you put them in and are they going to be ready for the first game?
Bill
Tyler, Texas
Bill,
Yes, we have had many questions in recent days about the chairback seats.
We decided to install additional premium seats due to the trend in college and professional sports along with demand from our fans. Our existing premium seating areas including Skyboxes, Bear's Den (Galloway Suite), Bear Heights and Bear Place are at or very close to capacity. With that, we created the Bear Club area located in sections E, F and G between Bear Place and Bear Heights. In doing so, we are converting approximately 3,000 18" metal bench seats into 2,500 plus 21" NFL stadium chairback seats.
Unfortunately, due to a manufacturing problem, the final product will not be in place for the Samford game on September 10 and the vendor has installed a temporary seat. We apologize for this inconvenience and have been assured that it will be corrected prior to the Nebraska game on October 15.
Ian
Closing Comments As a former staff member at Tulane University and resident of New Orleans, I have been deeply impacted by the devastation resulting from Hurricane Katrina. Several members of the athletic department family and their relatives were also personally affected by these tragic events. In terribly difficult times such as this, it is gratifying to see such an outpouring of support and encouragement from our community. I am especially appreciative for the efforts and support that Baylor and Waco have afforded the residents of New Orleans and the Gulf Coast in recent days.
On Saturday night, the Baylor Athletics Department will team with the American Red Cross to assist Hurricane Katrina relief efforts during the Bears' football game. A number of Baylor University student groups will take monetary donations at each entrance of Floyd Casey Stadium. Baylor fans interested in making donations immediately to the American Red Cross relief efforts can visit www.redcross.org or call 1-800-HELP NOW (435-7669). The athletic department has also provided complimentary tickets to the evacuees who have relocated to our community for the Samford game.
We expect to have a very good crowd on what is forecast to be a beautiful night and I look forward to seeing everyone at the game. I hope that you will take some time prior to the game to visit Snickers Touchdown Alley, the new Letterwinners Plaza area on the East side of the Stadium and take a stroll around the facility on the recently completed Grant Teaff Plaza.
I want to thank everyone who was in Dallas to support the Bears in their exciting opening game win over SMU. There was an incredible amount of Green and Gold in the stands and we estimate that there were approximately 9,000 Baylor fans in attendance. The coaches and players really appreciate your support!
We intend to extend the SMU football series for many of the same reasons that we decided to schedule Rice. It continues a valued Southwest Conference rivalry in a key recruiting and alumni market.
Thank you for your support and Sic'em Bears!
Ian
