Submit your questions for Ian now!
Ian,
Based on this week's poll question, what is the status of the Bear logo? I know the interlocking BU is the standard. But is Baylor presently looking to commission a new logo? Who are the design firms being talked to? What are preliminary talks yielding?
Phil Warner
Allen, Texas
Similar questions or comments on Baylor logos were received from: Derek Tonkin (Waco, Texas), Trent Collier (Waco, Texas)
Phil
Thank you for your question about the logos. We are conducting a poll on BaylorBears.com asking fans whether they prefer one of the previously designed Bear logos or if they suggest that we develop a new Bear logo. As of this writing, a majority of Baylor fans favor the development of a new Bear logo and have mixed responses to the previously developed marks.
We will continue to use the interlocking BU as a primary mark for Baylor Athletics. However, we believe that it is imperative that we have a Bear logo within our identity system that is widely accepted and embraced by the entire Baylor family in order to maximize our merchandising, licensing, marketing and branding opportunities.
We appreciate your support!
Ian
Ian, I heard that you and Doug Smith traveled to East Texas last week to meet with alumni. I am glad that you have been out meeting with folks and asking Baylor fans what they think. I believe that Baylor needs to do a lot more of this.
Earl
Tyler, Texas
Earl,
Doug and I had a wonderful week traveling throughout the State of Texas last week. We had Bear Foundation meetings in Longview, Tyler, Amarillo, Lubbock, Odessa, Midland, Abilene and Hamlin. It was a privilege to meet so many wonderful Baylor alumni and friends who care so deeply about Baylor and its athletic program.
Baylor fans seem to be very encouraged by the direction of the athletic programs under the leadership of our outstanding head coaches. We are clearly making progress on many fronts and enjoy great momentum, but much work remains to be done.
We are in the final week of the Bear Foundation Fund drive and thank all of you who have faithfully renewed your membership. In the event that you have yet to send in your donation, please do so immediately and support Baylor's outstanding student-athletes.
For more information about the Bear Foundation, call 254-710-4214 or visit BaylorBearFoundation.com.
Ian
Dear Ian, I hold two degrees from Baylor. Except for the 30 years that I was teaching in the California State University System, I have attended most Baylor football games.
I am very pleased about the stadium updates which return the place to the state of the art stadium that it was when I was there in the 1950's. However, I cannot understand why, after 50 years, Baylor has not paved the parking lots around the stadium?
Thank you.
Dr. Joe Weatherby
Brownwood, Texas
Dr. Weatherby,
You will be pleased to know that we have done a significant amount of paving to the roadways adjacent to and entering the stadium and in the parking areas in advance of the 2004 season. We want to provide a high-quality entertainment experience for our fans from the time they arrive at Floyd Casey Stadium until the time they depart.
I appreciate your incredible support of Baylor ... in both rain and shine. With the great work that Guy Morriss and his staff are doing, Baylor football will have a great deal more sunny days in the years to come!
Ian
Ian, While passing thru Waco last Friday, I stopped and enjoyed watching football practice and seeing the new turf. How will the end zones and sidelines be finished out?
And by the way Coach Mulkey-Robertson is the best coach in the country. She did a fantastic job in Norman against Pat Summit.
Charles Cason III
Plano, Texas
Charles,
Thank you for the comments about Coach Mulkey-Robertson. She is indeed a special person and coach.
I enjoyed watching the fans walk on the new synthetic surface after the spring game on Saturday. Moreover, I have been especially pleased with the positive feedback about the surface from our coaching staff and student-athletes.
We are looking at a couple of treatment options for the "beige" area. We will make changes and are considering painting it a solid color and also adding some graphics. We will be looking at the various design options in the next several weeks before making a final decision. We will seek some fan input on this as well.
Ian
Ian, We went to the Sweet 16 game in Norman and were heartbroken for Kim and the team over the bizarre circumstances of Tennessee's win. We can only imagine what the team and Kim have been through because we have had a hard time ourselves! It's truly been a nightmare!
Please tell our Lady Bears that we are extremely proud of them. Kim and the Lady Bears are truly outstanding. I know next year will be another outstanding year. We are truly blessed to have Kim Mulkey-Robertson as the coach of the Lady Bears!
Eleanor
Eleanor,
Thank you for the kind expression of support for the Lady Bears. The entire Baylor family is so proud of Coach Mulkey-Robertson, her staff and student-athletes.
The coaches and team have been touched by the outpouring of support from fans around the country and their various expressions of encouragement. The team had a wonderful season and as evidenced by the 2004-05 pre-season ranking of 8th in the nation, the future is very promising.
We are expecting a wonderful turnout on Tuesday (April 20) for the Lady Bear Appreciation Banquet with over 800 tickets having already been sold. It should be a wonderful occasion and an ideal opportunity to thank this program for all that it means to Baylor and each of us. I hope to see you there!
Ian
Ian, I was at the game in Norman and I noticed a few things in their arena that the Ferrell Center doesn't have. They have two large display cases filled with pictures and biographies of their former players who have gone on to play in the NBA. They also have many different concessions including ice cream, pretzels and barbeque. The Lloyd Noble Center is much older then the Ferrell Center, but I would have never known if I didn't read it in the program.
I was wondering if Baylor has planned any additions to the Ferrell Center to improve the atmosphere?
David Kaye
Katy, Texas
David,
Thank you for the comments.
We are studying various improvements in the Ferrell Center and will include them in our athletic facility master plan. Among the projects under consideration are improving the aesthetic appearance in the main corridor including displays, photos and graphics. We are also looking into the possibility of developing a separate practice facility for the teams.
Also, our concessions staff regularly reviews menu expansion opportunities. We have added several additions to our concessions menu in the past couple of years and continue to look at new alternatives that fans would enjoy.
Ian
Ian, I've read the letters regarding the Bears/Vols basketball game, and the ending of this game did not surprise me. Being from the state of Tennessee, I am ashamed the Vols always seem to get breaks they don't deserve. All I will say is, the college game seems to be for sale, and some programs are buying!
Tom Davis
Collierville, Tenn.
Editor's Note: Similar questions about the Baylor-Tennessee game were received from Judy Fairless (Frisco, Texas).
Tom,
The final call in the Baylor - Tennessee game left many of us in disbelief and garnered widespread national media attention to the detriment of both the NCAA women's tournament and college basketball.
We were deeply concerned about the call and Big 12 Commissioner Kevin Weiberg and I sent joint letters to the NCAA women's basketball committee asking for a review of the events at the conclusion of the game. We received a response from the NCAA committee chair last week essentially indicating that proper protocol was followed by the officials and it was a judgment call by the official.
While many opinions and theories exist regarding "the call", we do need to move beyond this incident and celebrate the outstanding season that the Lady Bears provided the entire Baylor community!
Ian
Ian, In view of Jessika Stratton's outstanding performances in the Big 12 Tournament and the NCAA "big dance," and especially in recognition of the superb, positive way in which she represented Baylor during and following the controversy that ended the heart-breaking loss to Tennessee, I am wondering if you might persuade Ms. Stratton to write one more journal entry. She is very articulate and I would enjoy reading her reflections about her final weeks of leadership and teamwork in the 2003-2004 Lady Bears basketball program. I'm extremely proud of her and all her teammates and coaches.
Many thanks, Lady Bears!
Thomas Charlton
Waco, Texas
Thomas,
Jessika Stratton is one of the finest student-athletes who I have had the pleasure of meeting along with being a wonderful role model for young women and a truly extraordinary representative of Baylor and its athletics program.
We have heard so many positive comments about J.J.'s Journal from Baylor fans around the country. I was especially touched by her final entry and encourage everyone to read it. Her perspective and expression of faith should serve as an encouragement to all of us!
Thank you for the e-mail!
Ian
