NEW FRONT PORCH
4/30/2026 11:28:00 AM | Football, Fan Experience, Athletic News
Fan Fest opens the front door to Baylor Athletics
WACO, Texas – Far more than just a one-day event at McLane Stadium, Baylor's Fan Fest this past Saturday, presented by McLane Children's, offered a glimpse into the future of Baylor Athletics.
The sounds of laughter echoed across the South Plaza as kids raced between bounce houses, families gathered around food trucks and the smell of smoked brisket filled the air.
Built around the department's new Fan First philosophy, the day brought together fans of all ages, from lifelong Baylor supporters to first-time visitors, creating an environment centered on access, energy and community. For many, it was their first real connection to Baylor Athletics.
"We have a lot of people in Waco and Central Texas who may not have a direct connection to Baylor, and this is our chance to reach them," Baylor Vice President and Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Doug McNamee said. "Football Saturdays can be a gateway to the university, and events like Fan Fest help create that bridge. If we can give people a great experience the first time, that's how you grow something that lasts."
Charles Kelly, a former Baylor football player, won the barbecue cookoff judged by former Bears Seth Russell, Blake Blackmar and Chris Platt.
"I knew my brisket was pretty good, but to be validated like this was really cool," said Kelly, a senior human resources consultant at Baylor. "It's 100% grass-fed, finished beef, smoked about 14 or 15 hours over apple, post oak and pecan."
Kelly said he embraces the Fan First Era Baylor is building.
"Getting to meet Doug and hear his vision was great," Kelly said. "The Fan First Era has me fired up. I'm excited about the direction and hopefully a lot of wins ahead."
Steven Mathews, a Waco native who calls Baylor his "hometown team," said events like Fan Fest "make it easy to come out and be part of it."
"A friend told us about the event and the kids zone," Mathews said. "With a 3-year-old, that gets your attention. It's been awesome, especially for something that's free. My son has loved every minute."
Interactive elements like the kids zone and Youth Skills Combine gave younger fans a chance to be active participants, not just spectators, creating hands-on moments that kept families engaged throughout the day.
"The Youth Skills Combine has grown every year, and now with Fan Fest built around it, the vision is starting to come to life," Baylor Football Chief of Staff Jeff Grigus said. "This is the first time we've connected the two. When you look out and see kids competing on the field and families enjoying the day together, that's exactly what we envisioned. One of my favorite moments was seeing the genuine enjoyment on the faces of both our student-athletes and the kids participating. It really reinforced the impact that our young men can have in the Waco community. That is what Baylor Athletics is all about."
JW Whitehorn, a Baylor alum, said he and his wife "love being part of it, not just as fans, but helping create the experience for others."
"The Fan First Era means a lot to us," Whitehorn said. "We moved back to Waco because of the experience we had here. Now we want our kids to have that same connection."
McNamee, who has put Fan First at the top of his priority list, made it clear that Fan Fest is just the beginning.
Baylor fan Deborah Hernandez said Fan Fest is a "big sign of things to come."
"There's a real opportunity to get more of the Waco community involved," she said. "Events like this are a great start."
For those in attendance, it was just one day. For Baylor Athletics, it was the start of something that lasts.
The sounds of laughter echoed across the South Plaza as kids raced between bounce houses, families gathered around food trucks and the smell of smoked brisket filled the air.
Built around the department's new Fan First philosophy, the day brought together fans of all ages, from lifelong Baylor supporters to first-time visitors, creating an environment centered on access, energy and community. For many, it was their first real connection to Baylor Athletics.
"We have a lot of people in Waco and Central Texas who may not have a direct connection to Baylor, and this is our chance to reach them," Baylor Vice President and Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Doug McNamee said. "Football Saturdays can be a gateway to the university, and events like Fan Fest help create that bridge. If we can give people a great experience the first time, that's how you grow something that lasts."
Charles Kelly, a former Baylor football player, won the barbecue cookoff judged by former Bears Seth Russell, Blake Blackmar and Chris Platt.
"I knew my brisket was pretty good, but to be validated like this was really cool," said Kelly, a senior human resources consultant at Baylor. "It's 100% grass-fed, finished beef, smoked about 14 or 15 hours over apple, post oak and pecan."
Kelly said he embraces the Fan First Era Baylor is building.
"Getting to meet Doug and hear his vision was great," Kelly said. "The Fan First Era has me fired up. I'm excited about the direction and hopefully a lot of wins ahead."
Steven Mathews, a Waco native who calls Baylor his "hometown team," said events like Fan Fest "make it easy to come out and be part of it."
"A friend told us about the event and the kids zone," Mathews said. "With a 3-year-old, that gets your attention. It's been awesome, especially for something that's free. My son has loved every minute."
Interactive elements like the kids zone and Youth Skills Combine gave younger fans a chance to be active participants, not just spectators, creating hands-on moments that kept families engaged throughout the day.
"The Youth Skills Combine has grown every year, and now with Fan Fest built around it, the vision is starting to come to life," Baylor Football Chief of Staff Jeff Grigus said. "This is the first time we've connected the two. When you look out and see kids competing on the field and families enjoying the day together, that's exactly what we envisioned. One of my favorite moments was seeing the genuine enjoyment on the faces of both our student-athletes and the kids participating. It really reinforced the impact that our young men can have in the Waco community. That is what Baylor Athletics is all about."
JW Whitehorn, a Baylor alum, said he and his wife "love being part of it, not just as fans, but helping create the experience for others."
"The Fan First Era means a lot to us," Whitehorn said. "We moved back to Waco because of the experience we had here. Now we want our kids to have that same connection."
McNamee, who has put Fan First at the top of his priority list, made it clear that Fan Fest is just the beginning.
Baylor fan Deborah Hernandez said Fan Fest is a "big sign of things to come."
"There's a real opportunity to get more of the Waco community involved," she said. "Events like this are a great start."
For those in attendance, it was just one day. For Baylor Athletics, it was the start of something that lasts.
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