Submit your questions for Ian now!
Ian:
Our family had a super time at the softball games recently against the U.S. Olympic Team. How did Baylor get two softball games against the U.S. Olympic team scheduled?
Richard
Bellaire, Texas
Dear Richard,
The Baylor softball team has been enjoyable to watch this season. Coach Moore and his staff do an outstanding job with our softball program and the team has been playing exceptionally well. Baylor is currently ranked 21st nationally and was 31-6 on the season after sweeping two games from Big 12 rival Kansas this past weekend.
The Baylor - U.S. Olympic Team games were a great opportunity to expose Baylor's softball program to a large crowd and play against some of the best players in the world. Coach Moore and his staff, through their connections, were able arrange it into the team's schedule. In fact, Baylor also played the Olympic Team in Florida earlier this month, so all-told, the Lady Bears played three games against the national squad.
We appreciate your interest and support of Baylor softball.
Ian
Dear Ian, In the media last week it seems that the coaches do not like having predetermined sites in the women's NCAA basketball tournament. Why doesn't the NCAA listen to the coaches?
Cathy
Waco, Texas
Dear Cathy,
Clearly, there is significant opposition to pre-determined sites within the coaching community. Many feel that performance during the season should be rewarded. Based upon some of the lower seeds who played at home experiencing success in the first two rounds, it appears that the coaches concerns are well founded.
The NCAA women's basketball committee is working toward neutral sites in the tournament which certainly would create more competitive equity than we are currently experiencing.
Thank you for the observation and question.
Ian
Ian, Last week was spring break on the Baylor campus. Do our athletes stay on campus during spring break or are they allowed to go home or travel?
Natalie
McGregor, Texas
Dear Natalie,
The student-athletes whose teams are in-season typically remain on campus and practice or play during the break. However, student-athletes whose teams are out-of-season generally spend their time at home or away from campus.
I had the privilege to travel to Albuquerque with the Lady Bears during spring break week as they prepared for and played in the NCAA Tournament. I was especially impressed, although not surprised, at how well the student-athletes and staff represented Baylor. We heard several positive comments from flight attendants to hotel workers about the politeness and friendliness of the Lady Bears!
Ian
Ian: In Coach Mulkey-Robertson's chat last week she mentioned a basketball practice gym. What would be in this gym and where would it be located?
Todd
China Spring, Texas
Todd,
One of the challenges that our basketball programs face is being displaced when University or civic functions are held in the Ferrell Center. We have been working with the University's facilities unit to study a basketball practice facility that would allow these programs to always have a facility to practice.
All of the other programs in the Big 12 South have developed this type of facility to support their basketball programs.
Thank you for the question.
Ian
Ian, Just a comment. I received a post card this week from Daniel Sepulveda on the football team that told me how thankful he is to be able to attend Baylor and how much it means to him to have his scholarship supported by the Baylor Bear Foundation. This post card is a terrific idea and I was proud to send in my annual Bear Foundation gift.
Jeff
Dallas, Texas
Jeff,
I have been incredibly impressed with the quality of student-athletes that we have at Baylor and no doubt our alumni and friends feel the same way. Supporting the Bear Foundation and in turn scholarships for student-athletes makes a lasting contribution to Baylor and these tremendous young people. The credit for this idea belongs to Doug Smith in the Bear Foundation and Fletcher Communications, which is doing some consulting work for the Baylor Bear Foundation.
Thank you for the question and your contribution to the Bear Foundation!
Ian
Ian, With the basketball scandal at Baylor last summer and the other schools who have had problems this year, what is Baylor doing to make sure that nothing like this happens again.
Steve
Houston, Texas
Steve,
As you may know, as a result of the internal investigation, Baylor has taken several corrective measures to enhance its NCAA compliance program. In addition, President Sloan has appointed a Task Force that is chaired by Grant Teaff that is charged with studying ways of ensuring that we are recruiting student-athletes who will succeed and thrive at Baylor. The Task Force has already had two meetings and will make a report in June.
I am confident that with the corrective measures that are being implemented and the character of our coaches, Baylor will be a model athletic program in terms of integrity and compliance.
Ian
