May 17, 2006
Baylor Family,
We must begin this session of Ask Ian by congratulating our spring sports teams as they are truly excelling both academically and athletically. Many long-time Baylor fans have told me that they believe this is the most successful spring season in school history.
This is a very important week as men's golf, men's and women's tennis, and softball participate in NCAA competition. Each of these teams are ranked in the Top 20 nationally and have aspirations of going deep into there respective NCAA Championships. Men's and women's track and field, and baseball will begin postseason competition next week.
Baylor student-athletes had a very strong semester in the classroom as well. I recently reviewed grade reports for each of our student-athletes and was pleased with the overall results. We had 40 student-athletes graduate last Saturday and I wish each of them great success in the years to come.
We had a busy and highly successful weekend of hosting the Big 12 track and field championships and NCAA men's and women's tennis regional competition. Our staff did a great job and we were commended and received favorable comments from conference and NCAA officials.
The Bear Foundation Fund Drive is in its final two weeks and going strong. However, here at Baylor we know well that you need to Finish the Job! While we are on pace for a record year in the BBF, it is imperative that everyone participate and join the Bear Foundation at the highest level that they are able. If you have not already done so, please renew your membership today. Also, please encourage friends and family to do the same. With everyone's support, we will be able to achieve some very special goals!
There has recently been some discussion in the Big 12 about increasing from eight to nine regular season conference football games. I am opposed to this proposal for several reasons. It limits non-conference scheduling flexibility, creates an imbalance in home/road games (four home/five road one year; five home/four road the other year), and over time will reduce BCS appearances and bowl eligibility for conference members. The crux of the reason not to support this proposal is that the cumulative expectations for winning percentage in Big 12 football games is likely over 70 and perhaps over 80 percent. When we play each other, one team wins and the other loses therefore producing a winning percentage of 50 percent. That result does not achieve the level of satisfaction that our season ticket holders, donors, fans and television partners desire. In my view, this will create undue pressure on Big 12 programs and coaches. This will be a big topic of discussion during next week's conference meetings in Colorado Springs.
As you may know, Athletic Ticket Manager Mary Felkner has announced her retirement effective at the end of the month. Mary has served Baylor Athletics in the ticket office over the past 25 years and we are grateful for her contributions. We will be holding a retirement party for Mary on May 30 from 3-5 p.m. in the lobby outside the ticket office at Floyd Casey Stadium. Please join us for this event.
At the same time, I want to welcome our new Assistant Athletic Director for Ticket Services Greg Schiller to the athletic department. Greg is a native of Plano who is excited to return home to Texas. Most recently he worked with the New York Mets as Manager of Computer Ticketing having previously served as Assistant Athletic Director for Ticket Operations at the University of Maryland with a previous stop in the ticket office at the University of Miami. Greg will begin his duties at Baylor in early June and we look forward to his leadership in this vital area.
We had a handful of very good questions this week and they along with corresponding answers are listed below. Thank you for your support of Baylor Athletics!
Ian;
Recent articles have said that Dallas and the State Fair are pursuing teams to play in the Cotton Bowl the two weekends of the State Fair beside the OU/UT game. Has Baylor put any consideration into playing an annual game there? It could be a great way to get more exposure, especially to DFW recruits, but to the rest of the nation as well through TV.
Additionally, is has been circulating that Notre Dame has long enjoyed the idea of playing an annual game in the Cotton Bowl, for its own recruiting purposes. Baylor vs. Notre Dame could easily form into a natural rivalry that could do great things for our football program. Will the athletic department ever consider playing a game in the Cotton Bowl?
Larry D. Taylor
Waco, Texas
Larry,
Thank you for this excellent question and your comments.
You may have noticed published reports in recent days about Notre Dame playing future football games at neutral sites. While we do not announce game contracts until they are finalized, we have engaged in discussions over the past couple of years regarding Baylor playing Notre Dame in a neutral site game in Dallas. It would be premature to comment any further at this time.
While we have explored neutral site games in Dallas, Houston and San Antonio with various entities and opponents, unless the conditions are clearly favorable we prefer to play home games in Waco.
Ian
Ian;
I have noticed that Nike apparel is not longer available on the website.
Is the store simply out of these products, or has the marketing partnership come to an end? They produce great apparel and I hope to see it return.
Brent Combs
Covington, La.
Brent,
The Baylor Bookstore has made good progress in carrying Nike apparel.
While we desire more products to be available, especially on-line, there is improvement. We continue to work closely with representatives from Follet to meet the interests of our fans.
This summer we expect Follet will carry at least six new Nike products which will be available both at the store and on-line. Most of the new product will be the same as what our coaches and staff will be wearing this fall.
At the same time, we have significantly improved the distribution of Baylor merchandise around the State. We are on pace to set a new record for licensing royalties this year by a substantial amount due to the increased sales of Baylor apparel.
Ian
Ian; First let me thank you for all you have done for Baylor Athletics. As a student, I know I greatly appreciate not only the commitment to a quality athletic program but also the drive to get students involved. The Bear Pit seemed to be a great success in its first year, and next year can only be better!
My question actually involves football. Recently I read a quote on ESPN.com from Guy Morriss concerning a possible change of date for the TCU game to get it on national TV. I think this would be great, and hope that it works out. Can you tell us what our options may be for this as far as time, network, etc.? Thanks!
Joseph Vale
Waco, Texas
Joseph,
Thank you for the kind comments. I am very excited about our growing student support and attendance including the Bear Pit! We are currently working with the Big 12 and our television partners regarding the opening game versus TCU. There is a strong possibility that the game will be moved to Sunday, Sept. 3 in order for it to be nationally televised. We should be in a position to make a formal announcement within the next couple of weeks.
Ian
Ian; Is there any update to report on the beautification of the concourse areas underneath Floyd Casey Stadium? It was announced last year that banners and signage was to be added to bring a little color and Baylor spirit to these areas. Is this still in the works to be completed by the first game vs. TCU?
Thank you,
Rob Adams
Robinson, Texas
Rob,
Thanks for the excellent question.
We are in the final states of selecting a vendor for the football heritage project. Nick Joos and Bill Chaves on our senior administrative staff are heading up this effort and we expect to have an extensive number of banners depicting the history and highlights of Baylor football located around Floyd Casey Stadium prior to the opening game against TCU.
Ian
Ian, Is there any update with satellite radio yet?
Ed
Abilene, Texas
Ed,
ISP, our marketing representatives, have had interest in Baylor expressed by both satellite providers. We are optimistic that Baylor will begin the 2006-07 year with a satellite radio relationship.
Ian
