Submit your questions for Ian now!
Ian, I really don't have a question but mainly a comment. I was very excited to witness the first ever National Championship for Baylor Tennis in Tulsa. Baylor had a large group of people supporting the team and I felt that it helped motivate the team. It was very refreshing to have the Oklahoma press have positive stories about Baylor and its Athletics. I wanted to let you know that we appreciate your hard work and positive addition to our teams and Athletic Department.
Greg Wright
Tulsa, OK
Greg,
Despite the challenging circumstances that the athletic department faced following last summer, I am incredibly proud of our coaches, staff and student-athletes remaining focused on the task at hand and performing at a high level this year.
There are so many highlights to remember including the Colorado win in football, the tremendous performance of Jeremy Wariner and our 4 x 400-meter relay team at the NCAA indoors, the women's basketball team's run to the Sweet 16, softball's first NCAA appearance, women's golf's first NCAA championship appearance and the NCAA tennis championship. There are many more wonderful accomplishments, in fact too many to mention in this forum.
Overall, we had 11 Baylor teams advance to NCAA postseason play and between six and eight will finish the year ranked in the Top 20 nationally depending on how track and field finishes at their championship next week.
My summary of the year is that Baylor Athletics has much to celebrate, yet even more to accomplish in the years to come. I believe that this athletic program has a great deal of upside, and I look forward to many more exciting accomplishments in the years to come.
As far as the NACDA Cup standings go, first let me state that it is a valuable tool in measuring success of an athletic program, but there are many other important measures that are not reflected in these standings. We project Baylor to finish in the Top 50 in the nation this year and I believe that we will witness even better finishes in the years ahead!
Thank you again for your kind words.
Ian
Ian, Congratulations to everyone associate with the tennis championship. This has to be one of the greatest wins ever for a Baylor team. Are there any plans to recognize and honor the team that you can share with us?
Becky
Waco, Texas
Becky,
We are incredibly proud of Matt Knoll, Rob Cheyne and our student-athletes in the men's tennis program. They brought great distinction to the athletic program and Baylor University by way of winning the school's first NCAA team championship.
We have begun to make preliminary plans to recognize the championship team next fall when the student-athletes return to campus. We will likely have an event on campus and also recognize the team at halftime of a football game.
In addition, we are working on a variety of other special activities and efforts that will involve the team including meetings with VIPs, signage, merchandising and publicity.
Ian
Ian, I am really impressed with the work that you and the entire athletic department are doing. Needless to say, I think we have a great future. My question deals with the basketball scholarship situation. Since Corey Herring and Carl Marshall have decided to transfer, does Coach Drew have two more scholarships to offer this summer?
Thanks for answering my question, and keep up the great work.
Brian Hoyle
Longview, Texas
Brian,
Thank you for the question and I will apologize in advance for the rambling answer.
NCAA regulations allow for men's basketball teams to have 13 scholarship student-athletes. However, based upon Baylor University's self-imposed sanctions stemming from last summer's basketball scandal, we will have no more than nine scholarship players for the 2004-05 year. This number will go up to 12 scholarships for 2005-06.
Coach Drew and his staff have signed five prospective student-athletes to go along with the returning players for next year.
As you may know, the NCAA Board of Directors recently voted to rescind the 5/8 rule which limited the number of prospects that a school could sign to five in a year or eight over a two-year period. This rule had been a point of contention for virtually all basketball coaches and allows Baylor maximum flexibility in returning to a full complement of scholarships in men's basketball.
Ian
Ian, I am immensely proud of our tennis team breaking through and winning a National Championship. This shows that Baylor can in fact win in a tough conference.
Two questions for you.
1. How do you see this great season further the fundraising goals to finish out the tennis facility?
2. What sort of merchandise will be available celebrating the championship? Replica jerseys, hats, tennis ball sets, etc., would be a good start.
Thanks again.
Scott Lackey
Pflugerville, Texas
Editor's Note: A similar questions were received from J.B. Owen (McGregor, Texas) and Steven, Mackenzie (Dallas, Texas)
Scott,
You have asked two great questions.
There has been an overwhelming response from the Baylor family to winning the NCAA tennis championship. We have received calls, letters and e-mails from alumni around the nation and world who have expressed their excitement about Baylor winning the championship. All of this enthusiasm and support has created tremendous momentum for our athletic development efforts. To that end, we are hopeful that those individuals with both the desire and financial resources to support Baylor Athletics, and the tennis program, will do so.
The Baylor Bookstore has a men's tennis NCAA championship t-shirt, cap and replica jersey available through the BaylorBears.com website or at www.baylor.bkstr.com. If the demand for these items is as strong as we expect, then the bookstore will certainly carry additional championship items.
Ian
Ian, I was wondering, if as an incoming freshmen looking to go to all the football games should I go ahead and buy the season tickets or do I get some type of student discount?
Brenden Padilla
Katy, Texas
Brenden,
I have great news for you!
Once you arrive on campus and receive your student ID, just stop by the first floor of the Bill Daniel Student Union Building on campus or Floyd Casey Stadium ticket office to pick up your Baylor football student season tickets. The best part is that as a full-time student, you do not need to pay for a ticket. So find some friends and come out to support Coach Morriss and the football team!
Welcome to Baylor and we look forward to seeing you in the fall.
Ian
Ian, Thanks for the great job you are doing! Would it be possible in the future to schedule more men/women doubleheaders in basketball on the weekends? Last season the men played OSU and the women played A&M on the same day. It was the only games I attended due to distance. It may even increase attendance.
James Riggs
San Antonio, Texas
James,
There are mixed feelings about playing doubleheader basketball games. The positives include what you described including allowing out-of-town fans can take in two games in one trip. In addition, it allows for some cross-marketing between the two sports. On the other side of the ledger, it presents some ticketing, facility, parking, trafficking and logistical challenges.
Playing doubleheaders will remain an exception rather than the rule, however, when it makes sense competitively and strategically we will not hesitate to do so.
Thanks for your question and support!
Ian
