Submit your questions for Ian now!
Ian,
I see that the economic impact of Baylor Athletics is over $100 million per year. Do the businesses in Waco realize how important Baylor Athletics is and support you at the same level?
Bill
Italy, Texas
Bill,
Thanks for the excellent question about the recently released Economic Impact Analysis of Baylor Athletics.
This study affirms our belief that Baylor Athletics is a major economic player locally. When we have the opportunity to host events such as NCAA tennis and softball regionals, Big 12 championships and other events, including high school football games and band competitions, it makes a tremendous difference in our community.
For example, this week we will host seven softball teams along with their travel party, parents, fans and other softball enthusiasts from around the region. These visitors will stay in hotels, eat in restaurants, shop in retail stores and enjoy area attractions. All of this activity pumps revenue into our local economy and contributes to the welfare of local businesses and in turn citizens.
We are excited to make this contribution to our community and are grateful for the more than 135 businesses who are members of our corporate partnership program and support Baylor Athletics. Moreover, we encourage all Baylor fans to patronize these businesses as a means of expressing our appreciation!
Ian
Ian, We are so excited about the softball tournament coming to Waco this week and cannot wait to support the Lady Bears. I noticed that Baylor was one of the only teams who wasn't a number one seed that got a regional. How did this happen?
Kate Waco, Texas
Our department takes a very aggressive and proactive approach on bidding for NCAA and Big 12 championship competitions. We believe in supporting our coaches and student-athletes, generating the aforementioned local community benefits and showcasing our beautiful campus and athletic facilities.
We are blessed to have one of the nation's finest softball facilities in Getterman Stadium and have a truly outstanding team to go along with it. The combination of an aggressive bid, spectacular facility and the terrific job done by Coach Moore, his staff and student-athletes were the contributing factors in bringing the regional to Baylor and Waco.
Ian
Ian, I'm so proud of our tennis team and am really excited that we'll be hosting the first two rounds of the NCAA Tournament! However, I can't believe that these matches were scheduled at the same times as the final home baseball series against Nebraska in what will most likely turn out to be a vital home series. Both teams will want and need maximum fan support and I personally really want to be at both. Is Baylor told when to play the tennis matches or did you select these times for some reason? Again, I write this purely because I want to support both teams! Sic 'em.
Blair Browning
Hewitt, Texas
Blair,
It was great to see you at the tennis match on Saturday evening.
Due to graduation ceremonies taking place in both the morning and afternoon, we could not effectively accommodate either a baseball game or tennis match until Saturday night. As a result, the two competitions had to be scheduled at the same time. It was not ideal for those of us interested in watching all of both events. However, it turned out to be a great night for the Bears with the dominant victory by the tennis team over SMU followed by a thrilling ninth-inning walk-off win for the baseball team.
Those are the rare nights when an athletic director sleeps well!
Ian
Mr. McCaw, I would first like to commend the men's tennis team for getting the chance to host a portion of the NCAA Tournament, but I was wondering how the NCAA went about seeding the teams. Baylor has been ranked second in the nation for the majority of the year but they got the third seed overall (to a team currently ranked fourth).
I was just curious why USC would be seeded over Baylor as well as UCLA? Thank you for your time, I think that you are doing a wonderful job, and I look forward to your athletic master plan.
Wesley Dunlap
Riesel, Texas
Wesley,
We are incredibly proud of head coach Matt Knoll and the men's tennis team. Entering the NCAA round of 16 later this week, they are 28-2 and ranked second in the ITA ranking. The NCAA tennis committee is charged with selecting and seeding the teams for the championship and as you pointed out, they seeded Baylor third. I suspect that this was based largely upon USC defeating Baylor head-to-head earlier in the season to earn the second seed.
We are looking for a great deal of fan support in Tulsa later this week as the Bears compete for the national title. Sic 'em Bears!
Ian
Dear Ian, Thanks for taking my question. Are there any plans to honor Frank Fallon permanently by putting his name on an athletic facility or playing surface? For example - "Frank Fallon Field".
Brent Ash
Irving, Texas
Brent,
Thank you for the question about recognizing Frank Fallon. As I mentioned last week, Mr. Fallon is one of the icons of Baylor Athletics, a friend to so many in the Baylor community and he will be deeply missed.
Baylor has honored Frank and June Fallon at the time of his retirement from the university by creating an endowed athletic scholarship for a student-athlete in communications. This scholarship was established by friends Pat Nunley and Ed Burleson in 1995. Individuals interested in supporting this scholarship fund may contact the university development office or the Baylor Bear Foundation at 254-710-4214.
Ian
Editor's Note: An audio clip of one of Frank Fallon's great calls from the 1992 Baylor-Georgia Tech football game will be available on BaylorBears.com very soon.
Ian, Thanks for all of the hard work you have been doing in Waco. Real progress is apparent in all sports. When can we expect a Q&A with Coach Morriss? We all are looking forward to a great season with even more improvements. Thanks.
Buddy Kelley
Bay City, Texas
Buddy,
Coach Morriss and his staff are doing a tremendous job as you stated. Spring practice went extremely well and the 2005 recruiting class is already shaping up well.
In fact, Dave Campbell has a couple of terrific stories about football including a run down of the depth chart and position-by-position analysis in the current issue of the Insider Report. Bear Foundation members receive this publication as part of their membership benefits, so call the BBF at 254-710-4214 for more information.
Look for Coach Morriss to stop by for another on-line chat at www.BaylorBears.com in early June.
Ian
Ian, I haven't seen any information on the volleyball team this spring. We have several people anxiously anticipating next season and we were wondering how the spring went.
Cody Richardson
Texas
Cody,
The volleyball program had a very productive spring under first-year head coach Jim Barnes and his staff. The team progressed significantly during their non-traditional season and is looking for a breakout year this fall.
We are fortunate to have the majority of the team returning and are equally thrilled about the terrific work of Coach Barnes and his staff.
You can circle Sept. 15 on your calendar to get your first regular season look at the Lady Bears when they host Texas at the Ferrell Center at 7:00 p.m.
Ian
Ian, Just a comment on the logo.
I have never, ever liked the sailor bear. Too wimpy! In the 70s when I was a student we use to have a large vivacious looking bear head on bumper stickers and even on the cafeteria napkins. I think we need something like that for athletics.
David Perry
Sherwood, Ark.
David,
We have a great deal of work to do in the Bear logo department. We are in the process of working with a design company to develop a new Bear logo for consideration. We hope to create a new Bear that generates enthusiasm from all constituencies and at the same time enhances our licensing and merchandising efforts.
Thanks for the comment.
Ian
