Submit your questions for Ian now!
Ian,
I give to the Athletic Department, more specifically the BBF, because I believe in the leadership and I believe that my money will be spent wisely. I heard that certain funds, like Heart of the Order, were being dipped into by the Administration to cover certain shortfalls that they caused. This scares me. Please reassure me Ian!
Dusty McGinty
Houston, Texas
Dusty,
The Baylor Bear Foundation is the lifeblood of our athletic program similar to recruiting being the lifeblood of a sport program. The 3,000 members of the BBF contribute funds that directly provide scholarship support to the outstanding student-athletes who represent Baylor competitively while they earn an education.
In addition, gifts may also be directed towards individual program's excellence funds. These monies are used at the discretion of each sport's head coach to supplement budgets and/or make small capital purchases to enhance the quality of the program.
These funds are never used for general administrative purposes and remain within the sport program where they are designated.
I am sorry to hear that false or unfounded rumors are circulating and I appreciate you affording me the opportunity to respond and to clarify this issue.
Ian
Ian, Coach Morriss has repeatedly asked for BU fans to put university politics aside and unite behind our football team.
What do you plan to do personally to help Coach Morriss put a stop to those groups who are attempting to politicize Baylor football?
Jim Wright
Dallas, Texas
Jim,
Thank you for the e-mail and your support of Coach Morriss and Baylor Football.
As I have frequently stated, we are very encouraged by the leadership exhibited and direction of the football program under Coach Morriss. The team enjoyed a successful spring and there was clear evidence of improved attitude, effort and enthusiasm. Moreover, we are excited about the improving depth and competition at every position.
The football team is going to be challenged on 11 Saturdays this fall. We need all Baylor fans to come together and support the coaching staff and student-athletes as they build a winning program.
Success in athletics, and specifically football, has the unique ability to serve as a rallying point for the entire university community. I look forward to celebrating Baylor's athletic successes with you in increasing frequency in the years to come!
Ian
Ian, Why is there a prayer over the PA system at home football games, but not at baseball games, tennis matches, basketball games, or other events? They all have PA systems as well.
Thanks, and I look forward to your response.
Charlie Besterm
Waco, Texas
Charlie,
As you correctly point out, Baylor has a prayer over the public address system prior to each home football game. This has been a longstanding tradition at Baylor. Moreover, Baylor is one of only a small handful of institutions in the nation that has a pre-game prayer at football games.
Softball is the only other Baylor program that currently has a pre-game prayer and this has only been done for the past few years. From what I have learned, there has not been an impetus to begin pre-game prayers in the other sports.
Thank you for your question.
Ian
Ian, I've wondered a long time about the fun place adjacent to the stadium on game days. It is called "Touchdown Alley."
I would like for it to be changed to "Touchdown Plaza." Plaza has a much better connotation than alley.
If it is not feasible to change the name, I can live with alley, but I'll always think plaza sounds better.
Thanks.
William H. Horick
Temple, Texas
William,
Thanks for your suggestion about Snickers Touchdown Alley. It has been a wonderful addition to our home football game atmosphere and I encourage all fans to enjoy this festive area before home games.
This area is located beyond the South end zone and includes a wide variety of entertainment, games and food options! Come early to watch Baylor football and enjoy the benefits that this area offers to fans of all ages.
Ian
Hi Ian, I just wanted to know if Baylor University has cheerleaders and if they receive scholarships?
Sarah Senz
San Antonio Texas
Sarah,
Baylor has an outstanding cheerleading program that is supervised by E.J. Williams. Baylor yell leaders perform at home and select away athletic competitions including football, men's and women's basketball. The support that they offer our teams and student-athletes is very much appreciated.
For more information about the program, please look on the website at www.baylor.edu/rec_sports/spiritsquad.
Ian
Ian, What has happened to Mark McCormick on the baseball team?
David Clark
Waco, Texas
David,
As you probably know by now, Coach Smith and the baseball program were excited to have Mark return last week to pitch one perfect inning (including two strikeouts) in their 2-1 win over Dallas Baptist. He will be a key contributor in the stretch run for the program as it heads into the final two weekend series and then the Big 12 tournament!
The baseball team has just five regular season home games remaining and has been playing very well of late having won 13 of its last 17 games. We are expecting large crowds at Baylor Ballpark for the critical series against Nebraska this weekend (May 14-16), and versus defending national champion Rice (May 18).
Ian
Ian, I just read the question about painting the old logo on the stadium and your comment about upgrading the parking areas.
I think you should plant trees in the parking area. Having shaded areas in the parking lot might encourage more people to come early and tailgate.
Creighton Kent
Dallas, Texas
Creighton,
Thank you for the suggestion about plantings surrounding the parking areas at Floyd Casey Stadium. We are committed to making a number of improvements including adding graphic elements within the facility and improving the roadways and parking lot areas. It is important that aesthetics are appealing to our fans!
All of this has a profound effect on the event experience. We are in the process of conducting a survey on Baylorfans.com asking our fans to tell us how we can best serve them on game day. If you have not done so already, I invite you to participate in the survey.
Ian
In closing, this week has been bittersweet for many surrounding Baylor Athletics. We were deeply saddened by the loss of Baylor icon and a wonderful friend to so many in the athletic department, Frank Fallon. He made a tremendous impact on the athletic program that will not be forgotten.
However, we truly appreciate the tremendous outpouring of support and remembrances of Frank. There was a sharing of such special memories and tributes to this extraordinary man.
