May 1, 2002
This is another "B" Line column, a periodic collection of news items of interest to members of the Baylor "B" Association. Contribute news about you or your teammates via e-mail to Dutch Schroeder (Dutch_Schroeder@baylor.edu), Reba Cooper (Reba_Cooper@baylor.edu) or Jack Loftis (Jack.Loftis@chron.com). The mailing address is Baylor "B" Association, P. O. Box 8120, Waco, TX 76714.
LITTLE TIME TO REST - It didn't take Carnac the Magnificent to predict how busy things would be around Baylor during the April 19-21 weekend. It was an almost-frantic period for Baylor Bears - both young and old and some in between. Major events included dedication of the Winston Wolfe Track and Field Clubhouse, a reunion of former BU track and field athletes, the naming ceremony at Dutch Schroeder Plaza, a homecoming for baseball players from the 1960s and 1970s and two games with the Aggies at Baylor Ballpark - all in less than 72 hours . . . The clubhouse dedication and reunion were planned to coincide with the Michael Johnson-Dr Pepper Invitational Track Meet. Wolfe, a 1960s trackster for Baylor, made a major gift to help build the new facility, as did the Carroll and Wright families. A luncheon followed with BU President Robert Sloan, Athletic Director Tom Stanton and Track Coach Clyde Hart expressing their gratitude for the generosity of donors . . . Hart was the honoree at the reunion luncheon attended by some 80 former T&F figures and their spouses. Among those receiving special attention from master of ceremonies Billy Hollis were 1930s fieldman Joe Jack Pearce, Mrs. Jack Patterson, Pat Rogers and Tommy Minter. The reunion was organized by David Alexander, Ken Dunlap and Hollis . . . Incidentally, that same Ken Dunlap won a gold medal in the April 18 Senior Olympics in Houston, finishing first in the "Around the World" basketball event for those admitting to being between 65 and 69 years old. Ken also participated in the three-on-three competition as a member of the Houston Hoops. The team finished fourth . . .
THE DUTCHMAN - President Sloan and AD Stanton also participated in the dedication of Dutch Schroeder Plaza, located within the Jim and Julie Turner Riverfront Athletic Complex. They expressed thanks to Rick and Peggy Hawkins for the major roles they played in developing the esplanade area. A year ago the Hawkins also were honored as Founders of Baylor Ballpark on the day it was dedicated. Hawkins was a baseball letterman in 1968 and Schroeder was his coach. Schroeder himself played baseball at Baylor in 1948-49, served a head coach from 1962 through the 1973 season and is currently the executive vice-president of the "B" Association. After receiving commemorative plaques and being featured guests at a Mickey Sullivan Room luncheon, Hawkins and Schroeder made simultaneous first pitches prior to the game that saw Baylor gain a 6-5 win over Texas A&M. Opinion: A win over the Aggies is better than any plaque, gourmet meal or a ceremonial first-pitch strike down the middle. Another Schroeder Factoid: When not attending to "B" Association business Schroeder, wife Betty and daughter Becky operate The Cotton Palace Bed & Breakfast in Waco . . . Hawkins got an early start on his weekend duties, speaking at the annual Hankamer School of Business Spring Appreciation Banquet on Thursday, April 18. He is vice-chairman of Hill's Pet Nutrition, Inc., CEO of Hill's international division and has BBA and MBA degrees from Baylor. The event was held at Waco's Ridgewood Country Club and honored outstanding Hankamer seniors, faculty members and staffers . . .
TWO + TWO = FIVE? - Morris Frank, late columnist-humorist for the Houston Chronicle, used to say a ballplayer's statistics may be enriched to any level after he has been retired from the game for at least 25 years. If so, there must have been a number of revisionists in Waco on April 20 when lettermen from BU baseball teams of the late 1960s and early 1970s returned to campus for the dedication of Schroeder Plaza. Among those on hand were Bill Duncan, Bill Bevill, Ron Bradford, Rick Butler, Rick Hawkins, Rick Fox, Mike Adams, John Bevil, Larry Boone, Fred Barton, Andy Wimpee, Tommy Oliphint, Bill Bain and Bart Bratcher. Duncan, who works for Baylor University Development in the Houston area, organized the event and also a dinner that followed at George's . . . Finally, the Big Baylor Weekend concluded with 14 members of the 1977 baseball team and their coaches - Mickey Sullivan, Dr. Richard Couey and Dub Kilgo - being honored prior to Sunday's BU-A&M game. Finishing third in SWC regular-season play, the 1977 team went undefeated in the conference and regional tournaments to advance to the College World Series where they were eliminated after two games. The 25th anniversary event also included a tribute to the late Steve Macko, a Baylor All-American and major leaguer who died of cancer while a member of the Chicago Cubs organization. Several members of Macko's family were on hand for the game, with Joe Macko, Steve's father, throwing out the first pitch. And once more the Bears defeated the Aggies, 4-2, in the final Big XII Conference game in Waco this season . . .
JACK LOFTIS
Co-Chairman
Communications Committee
May 1, 2002
