Baylor

Aug. 4, 2004

• Archive of past Q&A's
  
• Submit your questions for Ian now!
  Ian: Guy Morriss spoke at the Big 12 Media Day about the poor marketing being done by Baylor for the football program. Granted you were not hired until after the football season had started, but what changes have you made or plan to make this year to promote Baylor Football in Waco and in Central Texas? Also, when will the new logo be available for us to see? What input will Coach Morriss/players/alumni have in determining which logo will be used? Good job making the Nike apparel available on your website!! Phil Warner
  Dallas, Texas Phil, As you may know, we have recently added Bill Chaves to our staff as Associate Athletic Director for Sales and Marketing and asked him to focus on three primary areas. He will endeavor to expand and strengthen our ticket sales effort, successfully market our programs and improve our licensing and merchandising areas. Each of these three areas represents a significant challenge. We will be aggressive in targeting and soliciting corporate, group and telemarketing ticket sales. We need to grow our fan base and will do so by contacting prospective consumers and asking for the order! We have lengthy detailed marketing plans for each sport and an overall strategy for Baylor Athletics. Some of the more notable ideas or changes for fans to look for during the football game day experience include improved parking areas, an expanded concessions menu, increased interactive opportunities and the exciting tailgating area at Snickers Touchdown Alley. We anticipate the completion of the new Bear logo project later in the summer and expect that this new mark along with improved manufacturing relationships and a retail program will enhance merchandise sales. Thank you for the comment about the increased Nike apparel that is available. This has been among our highest priorities of late, and we have noticed some progress. Ian

  ---

  Ian: I want to commend your continuing efforts for Baylor. I don't think you know how much you've done in the short time you've been here means to Baylor fans out here. My question is what sort of things does the Athletic Department have planned to commemorate the 1974 football team's 30th anniversary? Someone suggested a throwback game, I'd put my vote in for that. To recoup the cost, the jerseys could be sold or auctioned off after whatever game they would be worn in. I just hope that we see something to commemorate perhaps the greatest moment in BU football history. Nothing whatsoever was done for the 100th season of BU football several years to ago to many folks annoyance. Thanks again and keep up the good work. Scott Lackey
  Pflugerville, Texas Editor's Note: Similar questions were received from Robert Moore (Hewitt, Texas)and Andy Conner (Waco, Texas) Scott, Thank you for the e-mail and words of encouragement. There are a number of activities planned to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the 1974 team and Miracle on the Brazos. Most notably, a 60-minute DVD has been developed by the athletic department and KWBU that will debut later this month. In addition, this DVD will be available for sale to the general public and is a must for all Baylor football fans. The 1974 team will be honored during Homecoming with a dinner and will be on hand for the football game versus Iowa State and will be recognized at that time. The September issue of the Baylor Magazine will feature an in-depth story on the team, written by Dave Campbell, and will also include recollections from the fans. Ian P.S. We are also planning to salute the 1954 Gator Bowl at the Sept. 11 season opener. With Walter Abercrombie on board as our new Associate Athletic Director/Executive Director of the "B" Association, look for move events like this in all sports as we salute our proud past in all sports.

  ---

  Ian, Are there plans to get the football games broadcast in Austin this year? And, is Guy coming to Austin or San Antonio for a preview of the season? I saw that only Dallas and Houston are listed. Thanks for all of your great work. I look forward to a new and exciting football team this year. Darin Upchurch
  Austin, Texas Editor's Note: A similar question was received from Pressley Barnes (San Antonio, Texas) Darin, John Morris and Nick Joos on our staff are in the process of completing the Baylor Radio Network and our affiliate station relationships. Baylor has lacked a strong presence in Austin for a number of years and thanks to the strong support of some local alumni and the willingness of a radio partner, we are hopeful to have an Austin affiliate in the fold shortly. The new owners of Waco's ESPN Radio, KRZI, AM 1660, have increased the power of our flagship station to 10,000 watts, and I'm told that the signal now carries to Austin. In addition, we will continue to stream our games for free on www.baylorbears.com. This year, look for expanded pre- and post-game coverage, as well as webcasts of the weekly Guy Talk and Baylor Hour programs. At this time, we do not have an event scheduled for Coach Morriss in Austin on San Antonio to preview the upcoming year. We had successful event in Houston and look forward to another great one in Dallas. I share your enthusiasm for the football season. Baylor football is making great progress under Coach Morriss and we are looking forward to a highly successful year! Ian

  ---

  Ian: Is there a way for us out-of-staters to see the video presentations from this season's and last season's scoreboards? I don't get to go back to Texas more than once a year, but I keep hearing how good the pre-game, halftime, and Baylor Legend videos are. I'm sure the basketball and baseball videos are pretty sweet, too. Would it be possible to post those videos on the Web for us far-away Bears who want to see the fruits of all the athletic department's improvements? Brian Allison
  Mobile, Ala. Editor's Note: Similar question received by Michael T. Manis (Niles, Mich.) Brian, We have worked hard to provide information and services to Baylor fans who live outside of the local area to keep them up-to-date on Baylor Athletics. We believe that the BaylorBears.com website is the best source of information for our fans. We will be adding new features in the coming weeks as we prepare for the year. Among the changes will be a modest redesign of the website that we expect fans will enjoy. In addition, we will be offering "premium content" on this site including web casts of football (delayed webcasts of home games only), men's and women's basketball along with select softball, baseball and volleyball home contests through BaylorVision. In addition, "premium content" users will have opportunities to access media conferences and special features on student-athletes and coaches. This is going to be a work in progress as more features are added, but we are excited about the direction we are moving with the site. Stay tuned to the website to learn more details about these new services. Ian

  ---

  Ian: First, thanks for all of the great work. The Big 12 is and always will be a football conference first and foremost and the competition is nothing short of fierce in recruiting. From an AD standpoint, what do you think you can most do over the next few years to help Coach Morriss in his recruiting efforts? Christopher Brown
  Oklahoma City, Okla. Christopher, Supporting Coach Morriss as he builds the Baylor football program is a priority and as you mentioned recruiting is a critical component. As I have stated previously, Coach Morriss and his staff are working extremely hard and enjoying great success in this regard. I am certainly doing my part to support Coach Morriss through promoting the football program, encouraging fan and alumni support and administratively. Coach Morriss, our staff and I work together on many vital areas including operations, facilities needs and scheduling. However, it is important to point out that Baylor fans must do their part to help recruiting and in building the football program by purchasing season tickets, supporting the program and filling the stands. We need to create an environment at Floyd Casey Stadium where prospective student-athletes are excited about playing during their college careers and also make it one of the best home fields in the Big 12. In fact, we need to support all of our coaches in these ways in order for Baylor to compete against the best programs in the Big 12 and nation. I appreciate everything that you and other Baylor fans do for our programs, coaches and student-athletes! Ian

  ---

  Ian, Could you make a banner for Baylor's 2004 NCAA championships and hang it on University Parks? Brian Allison
  Mobile, Ala. Brian, Thanks for the excellent question and suggestion. Bottom line: we can and we will! In fact, the next time that you drive down University Parks you may well see the sign that commemorates the Baylor tennis program winning the 2004 NCAA Men's Tennis National Championship. We expect it to be up later this month in time for the beginning of the new academic year. The men's tennis program and its national championship will be a source of pride for the Baylor community for many years to come. Ian