Dec. 5, 2000
Each week, GoBaylorBears.com features a different guest in "Ask the Bears." This week's guest was athletic director Tom Stanton. Next week's featured guest is head track and field coach Clyde Hart. To submit a question for Hart, click here.
Mr. Stanton - Three Questions:
1) I know it can be misleading to compare rebuilding programs (the Baylor and OU situations were entirely different), but it can also be a source of wisdom: Last season North Carolina St. went out and hired two top notch assistant coaches and it has seemingly made the difference in terms of immediate recruiting and on-field production. I have heard Coach Steele's comments disclosing his philosophy regarding the hiring and firing of Assistant Coaches, and I can understand why he feels we need consistency to stabilize the program. With that understood, is Baylor willing to provide Coach Steele with the kind of money necessary to hire the type of Assistant Coaches that NC St. has hired should Coach Steele decide a change is necessary?
2) Looking around the country, there are several programs in the rebuilding stages that have had significant alumni support in terms of donations and attendance. The Baylor Football Community appears to be heavily discouraged about the future of this program. What proactive things can you and your administration do to change that?
3) Do you know of any way to convince Al Gore that he should concede? :-)
David Gibson, Waco, Texas
Baylor is absolutely willing to provide Kevin with the kind of resources necessary to hire the staff he feels will provide the leadership and direction necessary for us to have a nationally-recognized football program.
I have never instructed coaches regarding the hiring of their respective staffs in any sport. Each coach has the freedom to recommend individuals they feel are necessary to generate success. Kevin and all our coaches have and will continue to have that freedom.
I think every football community, irrespective of institution, experiences disappointments when in the rebuilding mode. Today's society of instant gratification puts all of us, irrespective of profession, under the pressures of producing. We need to enhance the total scope and image of our complete athletic program in several ways.
One, certainly, is the facilities enhancements necessary to achieve excellent recruits and outstanding student-athletes. This has happened in many sports and will continue to do so through football.
Our new locker room expansion and weight-training facility project recently approved by the regents pending successful fund-raising will begin on January 8. These significant projects send the message to student-athletes and Texas high school coaches that we are willing to provide the things necessary to have first-class programs.
The entire attitude and level of enthusiasm regarding any sport is determined by victories. We've certainly had our struggles for several consecutive years. Kevin inherited a football program which requires major overhaul in a number of areas. What I am encouraged by is the outstanding balance of freshman talent, which represented our football program this past season. With Kevin and his staff's recruiting abilities, I believe they will produce continual balance and in the specific areas necessary to turn our football program around as quickly as possible.
About a year ago, I received a letter from the "B" Association that talked about moving the "B" Association room to improvements to be built in the south end zone of the football stadium. Since women athletes make up 50% or more of lettermen now (other than football), isn't "B" Association active membership down because there are athletes whose interest is in other sports than football, and wouldn't it be better to move the lettermen's lounge on campus so that it can be used for other than football related events? As a letterman and father of a letterman, both in other sports than football, I don't see any benefit to being active since the doors are not open during the Baylor events that I support.
Joe E. Ratliff, Arlington, Texas
Joe, you asked a very thought-provoking question regarding location of the Letterman's Association.
You're absolutely correct regarding the letterwinners' mix. I believe we have an outstanding women's sports program at Baylor, as evidenced by our previous years' successes. We need to make sure that the "B" Association, along with the Bear Foundation, is not perceived as a "football-related" organization. Over the years, the tendency is to tie everything to football, which is a mistake for those student-athletes in the many other sports which have represented Baylor so well.
There has been discussion about a new structure at the south end zone. From an infastructure standpoint, it seems easier to create a major expansion tied to the football stadium rather than on-campus, but whereever the location, it should be the home of all letter award-winners, with the amenities and space to allow all to be participants in the tradition-rich history of the "B" Association. Thanks for your question.
Tom, I have heard persistent rumors that there are plans to again raise the price of football tickets and/or the level of BBF contributions required in order to obtain premium seats.
Is this true? If so, given the fact that Baylor's play on the football field is nowhere near the level of the rest of the Big XII, how do you justify looking at Big XII peer groups to set ticket prices and contribution levels?
Wouldn't it be more appropriate to wait until the team actually shows that it can be competitive in the Big XII before we hike prices? I have heard that season ticket sales were down nearly 25% after last year's increases. When the team is performing so badly and attendance has become dangerously low, is it rational or responsible to ask fans who have been patiently supporting a bad football program over the last 5 years under your watch to pay even more to see a team that has shown an inability to compete in its own conference?
Eugene Scott, Dallas, Texas
I wish I had a dollar for every rumor. If so, I would have been personally able to pay for every project on the drawing board for Baylor athletics.
There are annual discussions regarding ticket pricing and seat option programs. Obviously, if you take a look at our current pricing structures, we have the most affordable ticket packages and option packages of anyone in the Big 12, by far.
We also have a unique market, and I have no intent to ever be in a "price-gouging" position for our fans, irrespective of what other institutions may do. We have no intention of raising ticket prices for next season, and I am awaiting recommendation from the executive committee and leadership of the Bear Foundation regarding their final assessment as to seat options.
Your question as to the appropriate time to shift really becomes an issue of which way do you want to hear criticism. If prices are raised when teams are not playing well, the comment is "you're not providing the product." On the other hand, when you win and raise the prices, the comment is "you're gouging us now that you're winning."
What we will always do is try to make a fair assessment of where we are, the financial demands of running an intercollegiate athletic program that all institutions face, overlay that with the market in which we perform, and try to create a reasonable and rational balance of affordable pricing which maintains an outstanding and long-term fan base.
Tom, two questions: First, after another dismal season, you gave Kevin Steele a contract extension. One reason I heard is that this extension was done to help recruiting, in other words to combat negative recruiting tactics employed by other schools who would suggest to recruits that Steele's job is in jeopardy.
Couldn't the same objective been achieved by "renegotiating" Steele's contract (without lengthening it) or giving him a public vote of confidence instead of an extension that many people feel has not been earned when measured against on the field performance? Secondly, could you share some of the "hidden progress" that has occurred under this staff? I think the fans deserve more of an explanation than "the kids have their jaw set" or they "have that look in their eyes." I know our graduation numbers are up based on recent reports, but aren't those numbers based on events that occurred in previous years under Reedy's and Roberts' staffs? Please elaborate.
Eugene Scott, Dallas, TX
I recommended a contract extension for Kevin Steele because it was the right thing to do. Kevin Steele did not create the problems which exist in our football program. He is the recipient of two prior systems that were inappropriate and had our football program obviously headed in the wrong direction.
Kevin is a man of outstanding leadership, talents, football knowledge, character and integrity. I have never seen more love and affection displayed on the part of our student-athletes toward a football coach since I've been athletic director at Baylor.
The players cheered when they heard of the extension, because they have a deep-seated belief in this man, what he's doing for their lives, and what they believe he will do for our football program.
Kevin will bring to the university over his tenure student-athletes with character who are committed to obtaining a degree and re-establishing the winning tradition our football program once was recognized for.
If you heard the postgame comments of Gary Baxter and Daniel Wilturner after the Oklahoma State game, you would have had all your questions answered regarding their belief in Kevin and the future of this program.
Graduation rates are tied to a six-year cycle. Our current 82% graduation rate reflects the six-year cycle back to 1993. There are different formulas for calculating graduation rates, the current numbers are tied to NCAA calculations.
Why do you not answer e-mail sent to you?
Clif Wigley, Waco, Texas
If you want to send me an e-mail message, send it to Barbara_Guinn@baylor.edu.
Tom, since you fired Chuck Reedy and brought Dave Roberts and Kevin Steele into the football program, Baylor has won a grand total of 7 games over 4 seasons. How would you grade yourself on a scale of A to F in regards to your handling of the Baylor football program?
Eugene Scott, Dallas, TX
I believe I answered a similar question last time regarding rating of our football program. The Reedy transition needed to be made. The Roberts hire was a mistake. In Kevin Steele, I believe we have the individual capable of refocusing and bringing winning football back to Baylor University.
Some people acquire stock, then sell it at its first downturn, only to leave thousands of dollars in profit on the table because they didn't have the courage to wait out the eventual turns and growth of that stock.
Individuals will grade as they see fit. The glass is always half full. For me, I prefer to focus on the future direction and visions knowing hard work, commitment and dedication will achieve performance and results that each of us so desperately desires for Baylor football and Baylor athletics.
Given the current depressed state of the Football program, what are your plans to retain fan support and provide hope for future fans and recruits. There has been much talk of internal improvement, but those on the outside need something more tangible to cling to.
Over the last year, we have graduated an entire generation of Baylor students that have never seen a winning football team. It would seem to me that the one thing that we can control would be facilities. The current appearance of the football stadium leaves a lot to be desired. I think what the fans need is a public announcement of our master plan (both in the media and on this website). We need to provide detail and drawings of improvements listed by priority. Obviously money is the driver, but the general fan base needs to see a tangible plan. Before you ask, if I could contribute millions of dollars I would, but I haven't been so blessed yet. You can look at other school's web sites (A&M for instance) and see the kind of detail they provide concerning improvements. Obviously we do not want to set expectations (in terms of timing) to high, which I think was done concerning the original announcement concerning baseball, tennis, etc.
I think we need to make a bold statement to both fans and the conference that we are serious in football. I know it takes money, but it is my opinion that fan support has reached such a point that we can't wait for donations, if we need to we need to borrow $10 to $20 million to get it done now. Baylors financial position would allow for very low interest rates. I have yet to understand why Baylor stays so closed concerning sharing such information which I think would help people believe in the program.
Steven Mackenzie, Dallas, Texas
We are currently putting the finishing touches on the master plan for the football stadium. I have enumerated on numerous occasions that would enhance the outside cosmetic appeal of the stadium, creating Grant Teaff Athletic Plaza, improve paved parking with landscaping. In addition to the current projects we're undergoing, we are about to undergo the expansion of our locker room facilities for our football team as well as expanded strength and conditioning areas.
I will spend time with Scott Stricklin regarding how some of this is laid out on the website for review.
I totally disagree regarding the timing and expectations about baseball and tennis. These are multi-million dollar facilties which had never before been undertaken in the 150-plus year history of Baylor University, and will all have been conceived, designed and completed within a three-and-a-half year time. We are attempting to change the face of Baylor athletics for all 17 sports in which we participate. Don't forget we've already completed the soccer complex, renovated both of our basketball programs, have a new groundbreaking date eminent for a golf course, locker room and training facilities for both our nationally-ranked golf programs.
I think the president and regents have done a tremendous job in supporting the advancement and development of our athletic program. Baylor University is much greater in just its athletics component. I'm thrilled and proud to be involved in helping the university's $500,000,000 endowment campaign, so donations of which could be directed toward athletics. I'm also thrilled to participate in raising $60,000,000 for the new science building.
A university's life and development is multi-facted and complex. We will certainly do everything we can to have an outstanding athletic program in all facets, yet not lose sight of the mission, values and reason for Baylor University's existence and drive for excellence and worldwide recognition.
I was shopping at my neighborhood Albertson's and saw some collegiate merchandise for sale. There were UT and A&M hats and T-shirts there and to my surprise there were several TCU caps.
In Dallas, I rarely see BU merchandise, yet often I see SMU, TCU, and even North Texas apparel. If TCU and SMU can get their products in stores across Dallas, why can't we? Is it our strategy to only offer BU products on-campus or through Baylor websites? I don't expect stores to carry the quantity of goods they would for a UT or A&M, but I do think that Baylor should at least have a presence in DFW. All of the other South Division schools do. What is being done to remedy this problem and when can we expect to see results? Thank you in advance for your response.
Jim Wright, Dallas, TX
We've all experienced the same frustrations regarding lack of availability of Baylor University merchandise. We've had significant discussions with vendors throughout the state. Many of their purchasing areas are in northern sites, and simply do not want to make inventory commitments.
Since the size of our alumni base is significantly smaller than that of UT or Texas A&M, we have taken the approach to utilize the website as a means where Baylor alums, if their local vendors are not merchandizing Baylor products, can get those things through the website.
In August we launched the athletic website, GoBaylorBears.com, as an innovative model of information. There are many exciting features regarding the athletic programs such as the interactive Q&A's and the real-time webcasts of athletic events.
The expansion of the website will offer an online store where Baylor paraphenalia can be browsed and ordered. Scott Stricklin and his staff over in media relations is responsible for getting this online as quickly as possible.
How does the Big XII split Bowl revenue? I've always assumed the bowl team keeps 50% and the other 11 teams split the other 50%. How does it really work? If we get a cut of everyone's bowl money, wouldn't we really be better off with a KSU victory on Saturday and an OU at-large berth in the BCS (assuming they'd still get one)?
James Perry, Dallas, TX
Your assessment is correct. From a financial perspective, if KSU were to beat Oklahoma, it would create an additional BCS appearance check which would go to the conference distribution pool and be split 12 ways.
As for the money split, after the bowl team's expenses are subtracted, the remaining revenue is split 12 ways.
