Sept. 4, 2002
This is another "B" Line column, a periodic collection of news items of particular 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), Kyle Penney,(Kyle_Penney@baylor.edu) or Jack Loftis (Jack.Loftis@chron.com). The mailing address is Baylor "B" Association, P. O. Box 8120, Waco, TX 76714
COME NOVEMBER - "B" Association members and other interested parties should circle Nov. 14 on their 2002 calendars. That is the date for the Baylor Athletic Hall of Fame Dinner in the "B" Room of Floyd Casey Stadium. According to "B" Association Executive Vice President Lee Harrington the identity of the new inductees will be announced during the Baylor Homecoming Weekend, Oct. 25-27. Last year four names were added to the H-of-F list: Maggie Davis-Stinnett, a Lady Bear basketball great; Raymond Strickland, a 1930s basketball-track performer; Michael Williams, who played basketball for Baylor before joining the National Basketball Association; and James Francis, an All-America linebacker for Baylor and later a standout in the National Football League. More information on the dinner and RSVP details will be forthcoming . . . The aforementioned Harrington, a Waco native who lettered in both football and baseball for Baylor during the mid-'50s, has officially assumed his new "B" Association responsibilities. Now retired after a successful high school coaching career, Harrington replaces Dutch Schroeder, who has been awarded the title of Executive VP Emeritus for all of his good work during his years at the helm. But Schroeder's many admirers need not fret. He will still be active in the organization when not traveling or helping improve the lives of others . . .
FORMER COACH AILING - Roger Goree of the Baylor Athletic Department tells the "B" Line that former BU football coach Duke Christian, 60, has been diagnosed with an aggressive form of bladder cancer. Christian, who currently is coaching at Arlington Heights High School in Fort Worth, learned from doctors in mid-August that they had discovered a tumor on his bladder. He is scheduled for surgery any day now at Fort Worth's Harris Methodist Southwest Hospital. Christian, a 1963 graduate of South Eastern Oklahoma University, began coaching at his alma mater in 1971. He moved to Baylor as offensive backfield coach in 1980 and was the Bears' offensive coordinator from 1982 through 1987. Later coaching stops included Tulane (1988-1990) and Oklahoma State (1991). Moving to the high school level in 1993, Christian has worked at Southlake Carroll, Bonham and now Arlington Heights. Friends and well-wishers may contact Christian by mail (c/o Arlington Heights High School, 4501 West Freeway, Fort Worth, Texas 76107), e-mail (dchri@ftworth.isd.tenet.edu) or fax (817-377-7266) . . .
BRIGHTER SIDE DEPT. - While the shock of Baylor's 70-22 loss to the University of California at Berkeley last Saturday deadened the senses of a few BU fans in attendance, most recovered in time to enjoy an evening of sight-seeing and great food - not to mention the beautiful San Francisco weather. Post-game activities were coordinated by always-efficient travel lady Babs Baugh. The deal included a Bay Area cruise featuring a close-up look of the Golden Gate Bridge and a not-too-close inspection of Alcatraz Island (although some Baylor fans visited the former penal institution for the first and - hopefully - last time on Friday). Following the boat trip, hungry Bears were directed toward the restaurants along Fishermen's Warf and the world-class desserts found at Ghirardelli Square. Among former Baylor letter winners in attendance with their spouses were "B" Association President Knox Pittard, Dr. Jerry Marcontell, Charlie Smith and the Rev. Gordon Smith, currently associate pastor of Riverbend Baptist Church in Austin. Incidentally, Charlie Smith played end on the 1953 Baylor team that defeated Cal 25-0 and Marcontell played end on the 1956 team that squeezed past Cal 7-6 . . . The knives and forks are just about in place for the 6th annual Baylor Athletic Director's Hall of Honor Recognition Dinner, scheduled for Friday night (Sept. 6) in the Gale and Connie Galloway Executive Suite at Floyd Casey Stadium. The event salutes those individuals whose cumulative lifetime contributions to Baylor athletics total $50,000 or more. Prior to the 7 p.m. banquet, commemorative gifts will be presented to the honorees at a 6 p.m. reception in the North End Zone Lobby . . .
JACK LOFTIS
CO-CHAIRMAN
COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE
