Submit your questions for Ian now!
Ian,
First, thanks for the great job you are doing.
Why did the BCS add a fifth bowl game? Do you think this is good for Baylor and the Big 12?
Thank you.
Hannah
McGregor, Texas
Hannah,
The addition of the fifth BCS bowl game will increase access for the former coalition conferences (C-USA, WAC, Mountain West, etc.) in the event that a team from one of these conferences is deserving of BCS competition. Such a team must finish in the Top 6 to be guaranteed access and in the Top 12 to be eligible for selection.
In my view, this is an appropriate compromise to insure better access for the former coalition conferences, greater equity in terms of revenue sharing and a step toward creating a more consistent Division I-A brand.
From a practical standpoint, the five prominent conferences (Big 12, ACC, SEC, Pac-10 and Big 10) will likely gain one or two additional teams in the BCS bowl games. Instead of having seven out of eight slots, these conferences will now have either eight or nine out of 10 slots.
This is a terrific question and one that is receiving a great deal of attention from college athletic administrators!
Ian
Ian, The NCAA recently created a panel featuring Baylor legend Grant Teaff to study recruiting because of the problems at Colorado, Minnesota and Miami. What changes do you think will be made as a result of these scandals to stop these horrible recruiting practices?
Thank you for taking my question.
Ralph
Fort Worth, Texas
Ralph,
This is another terrific question.
The fact that Coach Teaff is involved lends great credibility to the panel and the recommendations that will certainly come from this study.
My sense is that there will be a standardization of recruiting visits wherein prospective student-athletes will be afforded a more generic experience including meeting with coaches, student-athletes, staff and faculty. I believe that off-campus entertainment will be eliminated or severely curtailed. In addition, there may be some requirements that insure alcohol consumption does not occur.
You should know that Baylor coaches and the vast majority of coaches nationally demonstrate great integrity and high standards in the manner in which recruiting visits are conducted. It is rare that problems such as we have read about recently occur, however, we need to insure that everyone conducts their business at the same high standard.
Ian
Ian, With many different types of synthetic grass systems available on the market, I was curious as to why you chose the one you did and can you update us on the progress of the project.
Tobey McQuire
Grand Prairie, Texas
Tobey,
As I look out my window, I can see the rolls of the new synthetic surface being delivered and the first sections of turf being laid on the floor of Floyd Casey Stadium.
This is a terrific project that will enhance Baylor's football recruiting efforts, bring in additional outside events to Baylor and Waco and improve our home contest presentation. We are also excited about the fact that this project will have a three-year payback while affording Baylor an eight-year warrantee. This is an example of both good stewardship and competitive progress.
We will post photos of the installation on the BaylorBears.com website later this week!
We appreciate your support.
Ian
Ian, I'd like to thank you for the great job you, Scott Drew and the men's basketball team has been able to do this year. I know that this Wednesday is Senior Night for the men's basketball team. I was wondering if some of the other seniors that help support the basketball teams should also be at least mention, seniors such as the cheerleaders, dance girls, band members, media staff and other support individuals. For most, this will be their last game at the Ferrell Center
They all have help made a wonderful Basketball season this year. I know it is short notice. Keep up the good work.
Robert Olofson
Georgetown, Texas
Robert,
Thank you for this thoughtful question.
We do recognize students who support the Baylor teams during our senior presentations. In fact, Coach Mulkey-Robertson made a special presentation to a senior manager immediately before recognizing Jessika Straton and Dionne Brown last Saturday evening.
We are deeply appreciative of our student workers who contribute in so many ways including administrative support areas, team support services and game operations. These individuals have an important hand in the success that our teams and student-athletes enjoy at Baylor.
Ian
Ian, I think I will keep up the tradition with congratulating you on your success with Baylor Athletics. I do have one question though that involves the Football Practice facility. I have not seen any updates on the project for a while, are we at a standstill and need more money or what? Thanks.
Sic'em
Parker Willis
Houston, Texas
Editor's Note: Similar type questions have been received from Steve Hunter (Katy, Texas), Jim Wright (Dallas, Texas), Bryan Sappington (Plano, Texas), Dr. Frank D. Ward (Bakersfield, Calif.).
Parker,
Thank you for the question about the football practice facility. This project is not at a standstill!
We have been in contact with a number of individuals who have expressed interest in supporting this project financially. Moreover, there have been commitments toward this project.
At the same time, the architects are developing more detailed plans and also looking at a couple of different on-campus site locations for the project. There are various advantages associated with the different sites.
This is a significant endeavor from both development and construction standpoints. With that, we need to be thorough in making the best possible decisions for Baylor and the football program.
We appreciate your interest and support!
Ian
Mr. McCaw, I enjoyed the rare occasion of attending a Baylor athletic event last week. I was one of the few at the KU vs. BU men's basketball game in Lawrence. As a very proud graduate, it was my pleasure to support the boys! It was wonderful to see the heads of Jayhawk fans turn my way as I cheered on the Bears. It seemed they were surprised to have someone root for "poor old" Baylor in the stands. I loved it!
My comment, sir, is that I completely disliked the black uniforms. This is not Baylor in my mind. Additionally, you could not even make out Baylor on the jerseys. I respectfully, request that gold or green by used as they are ou primary colors.
Have a wonderful day!
Matt Beyers
Overland Park, Kan.
Editor's Note: Similar questions received from Andy Frank (Waco, Texas), Zach Tuthill (Waco, Texas)
Matt,
Thank you for the comments and question about colors. This has been a hot topic of late.
This issue is complex for several reasons. In recent years, Baylor athletic teams have entered into multi-year contracts with a variety of different vendors who produce team uniforms and apparel. As a result, different shades of green and gold are produced by these various manufacturers resulting in a lack of consistency in the shades worn by Baylor teams
In addition, college athletic tradition suggests and NCAA rules require home teams to wear light colored uniforms, while visiting teams must wear dark uniforms. To that end, every Baylor team uses the color white in some combination with green and/or gold. Many teams have also used the color black in some form. There is a very strong desire to use both white and black among head coaches and a significant portion of the student-athlete population.
In my view, Baylor teams should wear uniforms that consist of the university's primary colors of green and gold. The colors white and black should generally be utilized in a less prominent manner as secondary colors.
Ian
Ian, As a charter support member and donor to the Baylor Women's Soccer Program I would like to know when the athletic department plans to complete the soccer stadium and tie it in with the other facilities. I believe that money has been donated for use on the soccer facility but all I see so far is a small brick entry and a new sidewalk.
Dave Eldridge
Waco, Texas
Dave,
Thank you for your support of Baylor women's soccer and interest in the program. We are excited about the outstanding work of George Van Linder, his staff and student-athletes.
As we have mentioned previously, the athletic department is in the process of developing an athletic facilities master plan that is a forward looking document and addresses all of our foreseeable needs.
Thanks to a generous donation from Troy Mayes, there have been a number of improvements made to the soccer facility including the entry way that you described. However, there is still additional work to be done in order to provide this program with the level of facilities that we desire.
Ian
Ian, Thanks for taking the time to read all of these questions and answer them. I think it's a great new feature!
My question concerns marketing and T-shirts specifically. Has any effort been made to provide T-shirts for sale like the Drew's Crew or Got Mulk? shirts thrown out at basketball games? I love these shirts and it would be great to see them for sale, especially because the ones at the games are always large or x-large, which means I had to give mine to my husband! It seems like these, and others for other coaches, would be good sellers and it would be a great way to let the coaches know we support them.
Thanks again for taking the time to answer our questions.
Emily Easley
Waco, Texas
Emily,
I appreciate your comments and question about the Drew's Crew and Got Mulk? t-shirts. First of all, we are most fortunate to have such outstanding leadership of our basketball programs under these two head coaches. They are talented coaches, terrific people and truly a joy to work alongside.
The t-shirts were created for promotional purposes as opposed to resale, however, now that you have expressed an interest, I will suggest that we consider marketing these shirts as well. Baylor fans have embraced these two head coaches and their programs in a powerful way this year and we want to do everything possible to support this enthusiasm.
Have a great week!
Ian
