Baylor Athletics Brings Back Gold Rush Tradition 25 Years Later
9/6/2026 2:50:00 PM | Football, General, Fan Experience, Athletic News
Official Gold Rush shirt returns for the first time in more than a decade
WACO, Texas – Twenty-five years after Baylor and the Waco community first set out to "paint the town gold," a familiar tradition is returning.
Baylor Athletics announced Sunday the return of the official Baylor Gold Rush shirt, marking 25 years since the tradition was launched in 2001.
On Aug. 15, 2001, Baylor Athletics launched the original Gold Rush campaign, an initiative organized by Waco businesswomen Debbie Sartain and Nell Hawkins to encourage Baylor fans to wear gold to athletic events while strengthening the connection between Baylor and the Waco community. The effort quickly gained support from Baylor, local community leaders, the City of Waco and the Waco Chamber of Commerce.
"I think it's fabulous that the Gold Rush tradition is returning," Sartain said. "Everybody looks good in gold. Gold really shows up in the stands and on camera, and it creates such a great look. You can see exactly where the Baylor fans are. I hope it takes off again."
The response was immediate. More than 17,000 Gold Rush shirts were sold for Baylor football's first home game in September 2001, and more than 37,000 were purchased during the 2001-02 athletic year. The Gold Rush tradition continued through the 2012-13 athletic year.
Now, Gold Rush is back.
"Debbie was the engine that could and did. She was a driving force," Hawkins said. "We spent what seemed like our whole lives working on Gold Rush. It never really stopped. We were always busy doing something, and it was great."
The 2026-27 Gold Rush shirt is available for purchase in-store and online now at the Baylor Bookstore.
The tradition returns ahead of Baylor football's Gold Rush game against Louisiana Tech on Sept. 19 at McLane Stadium. Fans are encouraged to wear gold and help create a sea of gold for the Bears while also supporting Childhood Cancer Awareness, which is represented by a gold ribbon. The game is also part of Baylor's Family Weekend.
Gold Rush is the latest effort during Baylor Athletics' Fan First Era to bring Baylor and Waco closer together. Alongside initiatives such as the new Waco Rush Pass, the revived tradition celebrates Baylor's history while introducing it to a new generation of fans.
Baylor football season tickets are on sale now, with single-game tickets also available. Fans can purchase tickets HERE.
For the latest on the Brazos, follow Baylor Athletics on its official Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok accounts: @BaylorAthletics.
Baylor Athletics announced Sunday the return of the official Baylor Gold Rush shirt, marking 25 years since the tradition was launched in 2001.
On Aug. 15, 2001, Baylor Athletics launched the original Gold Rush campaign, an initiative organized by Waco businesswomen Debbie Sartain and Nell Hawkins to encourage Baylor fans to wear gold to athletic events while strengthening the connection between Baylor and the Waco community. The effort quickly gained support from Baylor, local community leaders, the City of Waco and the Waco Chamber of Commerce.
"I think it's fabulous that the Gold Rush tradition is returning," Sartain said. "Everybody looks good in gold. Gold really shows up in the stands and on camera, and it creates such a great look. You can see exactly where the Baylor fans are. I hope it takes off again."
The response was immediate. More than 17,000 Gold Rush shirts were sold for Baylor football's first home game in September 2001, and more than 37,000 were purchased during the 2001-02 athletic year. The Gold Rush tradition continued through the 2012-13 athletic year.
Now, Gold Rush is back.
"Debbie was the engine that could and did. She was a driving force," Hawkins said. "We spent what seemed like our whole lives working on Gold Rush. It never really stopped. We were always busy doing something, and it was great."
The 2026-27 Gold Rush shirt is available for purchase in-store and online now at the Baylor Bookstore.
The tradition returns ahead of Baylor football's Gold Rush game against Louisiana Tech on Sept. 19 at McLane Stadium. Fans are encouraged to wear gold and help create a sea of gold for the Bears while also supporting Childhood Cancer Awareness, which is represented by a gold ribbon. The game is also part of Baylor's Family Weekend.
Gold Rush is the latest effort during Baylor Athletics' Fan First Era to bring Baylor and Waco closer together. Alongside initiatives such as the new Waco Rush Pass, the revived tradition celebrates Baylor's history while introducing it to a new generation of fans.
Baylor football season tickets are on sale now, with single-game tickets also available. Fans can purchase tickets HERE.
For the latest on the Brazos, follow Baylor Athletics on its official Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok accounts: @BaylorAthletics.
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