Submit your questions for Ian now!
Dear Fans:
Thank you for another week of great questions!
Ian
Dear Ian, Has Baylor University given any consideration to moving away from the pop music blared at fans during the pre-game activities at Floyd Casey Stadium? In recent years when we have attended Baylor home games with family and friends, those in our party and fans in the stand near us have voiced annoyance at both the selections being played and the intense volume of the sound system. Quite frankly, the content of much of the "music" is objectionable as well.
Please give consideration to making some changes in music, perhaps fight songs from around the country.
Ronald D. Tarrant
Pflugerville, Texas
Ron,
Thank you for the question about pre-game music at football games. Obviously, musical tastes vary depending upon the individual. In the pre-game, we take into consideration the desires of the student-athletes for "warm-up music" that they find motivational as they prepare for the game. Typically, this will be louder and more upbeat than we play during the game.
Our marketing staff works with the coaching staff to select appropriate songs, in terms of content, among the selections that have been identified by student-athletes as desirable "warm-up music." None of the lyrics in the songs should be objectionable if our staff has done its job properly.
This practice is fairly common around the Big 12 and the nation. Once warm-up is completed, we revert to music that is more desirable for the Baylor fan base.
Again, this is an excellent question.
Ian
Ian, Given that the Christian faith is such an important part of Baylor's heritage, how can Baylor Athletics integrate our faith within our program? What specific form might this take in the coming months and years?
Clayton Jackson
Clifton, Texas
Clayton,
This is another wonderful question. As you know, Baylor is the world's largest Baptist University and we are proud of our Christian heritage and want that to be evident in everything that we do.
We enjoy having a Christ-centered approach to all aspects of the manner in which we conduct our personal and professional lives at Baylor. Perhaps the best way that I could sum this up is with Colossians 3:23, "whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men."
I appreciate your support of our Christian mission.
Ian
Ian: This question is for the football program. When do you think we will end the season with a winning record, if not next season. I like what is happening with Baylor sports, keep it up. Thanks.
Rick Anderson
Houston, Texas
Rick,
I am excited about what I am observing as well. As you know, Coach Morriss and his staff just completed a highly successful recruiting season by signing 20 outstanding prospects. This bodes well for the future and will enhance our depth at virtually every position.
In my view, we have an outstanding coaching staff and emerging young talent in the football program. This will translate into progress as we enter the 2004 football season. I certainly cannot assure any specific number of wins or a winning season, however, I can assure Baylor fans that they will see a marked improvement in the football program next season. Our goals are to have a winning season and advance to a bowl game.
Thanks for your support and the question!
Ian
Hi Ian, I have heard some reports about negative recruiting from other Big 12 schools mainly regarding our basketball program. While I know that negative recruiting is an unfortunate part of the process, I was wondering what your reaction was to this and do you think we can do anything to dispel some of this. Thank you.
Lance Lawson
Round Rock, Texas
Lance,
I appreciate this question.
Sometimes incidents of negative recruiting are exaggerated, however, it does occur at some institutions. Negative recruiting is addressed in the Big 12 Conference's Principles and Standards of Sportsmanship and something that we would report to a violating school and the conference office if we were to become aware of such a situation.
We encourage our coaches to sell the attributes of Baylor including its strong academic reputation, Christian environment, outstanding athletic facilities, beautiful campus, membership in the Big 12 and our tremendous support.
We are fortunate to have some of the finest coaches in the nation at Baylor and along with the aforementioned attributes make this institution a highly desirable destination for student-athletes to earn a valuable degree and enjoy a high quality intercollegiate athletic experience.
Ian
Ian, Ian, the following post appeared on BaylorFans.com the day after Jessika Stratton's stellar performance against OU. Is there any truth to this situation and if so, how is this problem being remedied?
"I was talking with my neighbor tonight, who happens to be a high ranking official in the Big 12 office. He stated that Jessika Stratton was up for Big 12 player of the week honors, but that won't happen because Baylor media relations office didn't get its paper work in by today's 1:00 deadline. So when the Baylor players feel shafted, it's our own school's fault for not following simple conference policy."
He stated of all the schools, we are the worst and for some reason we don't make that a priority. This bothers me, and explains why we have a problem with media and marketability.
Jim Wright
Dallas, Texas
Editor's Note: A similar question was received from David Gibson of Waco, Texas.
Jim,
The internet is a tremendous tool for communicating information, however, it is disappointing when erroneous information is circulated. This is the case with the false rumor that circulated on Baylorfans.com alleging the failure of the media relations office to nominate Jessika Stratton for Big 12 Player of the Week.
As usual, the media relations office performed its responsibilities appropriately and nominated Jessika for the award. In fact, as we now know, Jessika was named Big 12 Co-Player of the Week. I have been very impressed with the work of our media relations staff and commend them for their efforts to increase the exposure for Baylor Athletics.
Also, special congratulations to Jessika for achieving this distinction. As an aside, I have enjoyed reading the J.J.'s Journal segment which she writes on the BaylorBears.com website. If you have not yet seen it, please check it out!
Ian
Ian, Great day, Saturday for the Baylor Bear Basketball teams!!!!!!!!!!!!!
How does the Big 12 divide up the football and basketball revenue ticket sales for conference games? Do the officials get part of the gate as compensation? Hope to see you on signing day in Waco. SIC EM!
Nick Nichols
Richmond, Texas
Nick,
The Big 12 Conference does not divide ticket revenue for home football and basketball contests. Each team retains the revenue that it derives from its home gate. Many other conferences have revenue sharing plans that call for sharing a percentage of the gate, however, that policy has yet to be adopted by the Big 12.
In most sports, game officials are compensated by the home team based upon a salary structure that is established by the Big 12 Conference. In other sports, such as men's and women's basketball, the Conference handles payment of the officials and then bills each school at the end of the year.
Thank you for these questions.
Ian
Dear Ian, Why is our baseball team not opening the season at the Minute Maid College Classic in Houston? Thanks,
Scott Sabrsula
Lake Jackson, Texas
Scott,
There is a rotation in the Minute Maid College Classic that leaves out two of the Big 12 schools each year. It so happens that this is the year that Baylor and Texas A&M do not participate. We are looking forward to being a part of this outstanding tournament next season.
We appreciate your interest and support of Baylor baseball and are looking forward to a tremendous season under Coach Smith's leadership beginning with the home opener on Friday, Feb. 13 at 6:00 p.m. versus Loyola-Marymount.
Ian
Ian: I understand that you are working on updating the master plan for athletics. Once it is completed, will you post on the website so that it can be a recruiting tool as well as show the Baylor alumni, and other members of the Big 12, Baylor's commitment to Division I athletics?
Steven Mackenzie
Dallas, Texas
Steven,
We are in the process of developing a strategic plan for Baylor Athletics that will guide our decision-making and lead our athletic program toward our aspiration of being a leading program in the Big 12 Conference and nationally while providing our student-athletes with a high quality experience.
We will post select elements of the strategic plan on the website so that all of our constituencies will be able to recognize the direction of the program and our goals and priorities moving forward. I agree that this would be valuable for prospective student-athletes and families to view as they consider Baylor.
Ian
