Submit your questions for Ian now!
Editor's Note:
We appreciate the overwhelming response we have received to our new feature, Ask Ian, and encourage Baylor fans to continue forwarding their questions and comments. Because of time constraints and the heavy volume of feedback, Ian is not in a position to answer every email. Your ideas are important, though, and all questions submitted are read by Ian. He then selects the questions he wishes to answer in a given week, and prepares his responses which are then posted at BaylorBears.com.
Hello Ian, Thanks for coming to Baylor and the great job you are doing. I was just reading about the new playing surface to be installed at Floyd Casey Stadium. I have seen this surface at other stadiums and think this is a great way for Baylor to go. Do you know yet what logo will be in the center of the field and how the end zones will be painted? Thanks. Greg Bell
Spring, Texas
Dear Greg:
We are currently working with Prestige, the vendor who has been awarded the bid to install the new synthetic field surface at Floyd Casey Stadium, on design options. We are excited about the ability to use a dynamic set of graphics to improve the aesthetic appeal of the field. We will use the interlocking BU at midfield and have a Baylor graphic in the end zone.
Once the specific details have been determined, we will unveil the graphics for the new field in advance of its installation.
Great question!
Ian
Ian: A belated welcome to the program and thanks for your leadership through some obviously challenging times.
A question about officiating. What is/can Baylor do to enhance the quality and integrity of the officiating across all sports, and what is being done specifically to address the horrific call against the Lady Bears?
Jim Jackson
Fort Worth, Texas
Editor's Note: Similar questions and comments were received from Steve Jordan, Dinah Ligon, Scott Lackey, Kevin L. Koronka, Cathy Stewart, Nicole Woodard, James Hall and David Gibson.
Dear Jim:
Throughout the past week, we have been in communication with the Big 12 Conference regarding various issues surrounding the Baylor - Texas Tech women's basketball game last Saturday. The Big 12 Conference has completed its review of the game and notified me of the actions it has taken with regard to this matter. Regrettably, we cannot turn back the clock in addressing these issues and instead need to find a way to move forward.
Coach Mulkey-Robertson and her team have moved on with a great win over Kansas and are now looking forward to a challenging game versus Oklahoma tomorrow in Norman.
Thanks for your many questions regarding this matter.
Ian
Dear Ian: The newly announced 2004 football schedule only has 11 games. What is the reason for not scheduling 12 games as in the past?
Lon
Dallas, Texas
Lon,
The NCAA allows only 11 regular season games to be scheduled during the 2004 season. There are years, including 2002 and 2003, where the number of Saturdays during the window of the football season allows teams to play 12 regular season games. However, this is not one of the years. There is some decision at the NCAA championship cabinet and management council level about moving to a consistent 12-game regular season schedule. This is a position that I support.
Thank you for the excellent question.
Ian
Ian, After watching what happened on Wednesday, in person, I am anxious to see how our Lady Bears will finish out Big 12. My question is about Coach Mulkey Robertson. I know that when she came here, she signed like a five-year deal. It that is right then her contract will be up next year. What steps are we taking to make sure that we have her as our coach for many years to come? I think she is one of the best coaches Baylor has ever had! Sic'em!
Kevin Barrera
Waco, Texas
Kevin,
I agree that Coach Mulkey-Robertson is an outstanding coach and has done a tremendous job elevating the Baylor women's basketball program over the past four years. Baylor is fortunate to have her strong leadership of our women's basketball program and I look forward to the opportunity to continue to work with her for many years.
I make it a policy not to discuss coaches' contracts in public forums and instead choose to handle these discussions both privately and directly with the particular head coach.
Kevin, I appreciate your question and support of Coach Mulkey-Robertson and Lady Bear basketball!
Ian
Ian, On numerous occasions, you've referred to your master plan for the athletic program. Who are some of the people involved in the formulation of this plan...I would think that you, of course, and various coaches would be heavily involved, but who else? Is there any timetable for when the plan will be unveiled? Thanks.
Jim Wright
Dallas, Texas
Jim,
Thanks for another excellent question.
Our administrative staff made up of Associate and Assistant Athletic Directors has begun the preliminary stages of completing our strategic plan. Over the course of the next several months, we will involve numerous coaches and staff in this process that will culminate with a final draft of the plan in the spring.
At that time, I intend to share the document with senior administration and subsequently the Board of Regents Athletic Committee for their review and approval. Finally, this document will serve as the blueprint and guiding light for us to develop a highly successful intercollegiate athletics program at Baylor.
Ian
Dear Ian: I saw Brad Strickland's question regarding expansion of the Bear Force One program to other sports such as baseball and softball. I was excited to learn of the Bear Force One program when I moved to Waco. Being a graduate of another Big 12 school, it allows me the opportunity to see Big 12 college athletics and support Baylor at a reasonable price. I would love to be able to purchase baseball tickets under the same program. DeAnn Smith does do a great job with the program and is always so helpful.
Respectfully,
Cristi Cude
Waco, Texas
Cristi,
Thanks for your question about Bear Force One. We have recently been in discussion about expanding the program which to date has included football along with both basketball programs to baseball and softball. We will be moving in this direction and will work with DeAnn to develop opportunities for Baylor fans to take in spring athletic events at both the Baylor Ballpark and Getterman Stadium.
I appreciate your question and support of Bear Force One and Baylor Athletics!
Ian
Dear Ian: You mentioned in your Jan. 12 comments two web sites where Bear fans can get information about recruiting. There are two additional web sites that are quite popular among fans who frequent the internet. One is called TheeBearsDen.com and the other is BearScoop.com. Both have inside access areas that provide even more behind the scenes information than what is published in the papers. Would you please list these as well?
Dean Gafford
DeSoto, Texas
Dean,
Thank you for your comment about the two additional websites that feature information about Baylor Athletics ... TheeBearsDen.com and BearScoop.com. BaylorFans.com and Rivals.com are fan sites that I referenced in a previous Ask Ian session.
Of course our official site, BaylorBears.com is where everyone can go to get the latest scores and information about Baylor Athletics.
All of these forums provide Baylor fans an opportunity to express their opinions and share information about Baylor Athletics. I appreciate the strong interest and enthusiasm that so many fans have for our teams. We are especially grateful to those fans who are very thoughtful and constructive in their comments, and we take those opinions seriously.
We appreciate your interest and support!
Ian
Ian: I've noticed that many employees in the tech/IT field like to install screensavers and wallpapers on their PC's with pictures of their alma maters' sports team.
Is their currently a plan in place for Baylor fans to download PC Desktop Wallpaper and Screensavers that can be installed on their PC's with pictures of Baylor athletes/coaches/games?
Thanks for your willingness to meet with alums, Ian!
Christopher Hamilton
Seattle, Washington
Editor's Note: A similar question was received from Phil Warner.
Christopher,
Thanks for the question. Our Media Relations Office is in the process of updating our screensavers and will post them in the future at www.baylorbears.com.
I appreciate your kind words.
Ian
