April 28, 2009
Baylor Family,
I want to begin this Ask Ian by congratulating Matt Knoll, Joey Scrivano, their staff and our tennis student-athletes on capturing Big 12 regular season and tournament championships during the past week. Both the men's and women's tennis teams were undefeated in regular season conference play to win championships and then swept through the tournaments to earn a second Big 12 title. Baylor tennis has a lot of promise and momentum heading into postseason play and will host NCAA regional competition at the Baylor Tennis Center, May 8-10.
These titles bring our 2008-09 championship totals to five and that is tied with the University of Texas for the most in Big 12 this year. Since 2004, Baylor has won 25 Big 12 championships and only Texas has won more in that span.
Another highlight from this past weekend was Baylor offensive tackle Jason Smith being selected No. 2 overall in the NFL Draft by the St. Louis Rams. Baylor fans know that Jason has the talent, character and leadership that every NFL team is looking for, so it was no surprise that he went this early in the Draft.
As an NFL player, Jason will be a great ambassador for the football program, athletics department and University. No doubt, there will by many Baylor fans pulling for Jason and the Rams in the years to come. Best wishes for a great career in the NFL, Jason!
The month of May is shaping up to be an exciting time for Baylor Athletics. As mentioned above, Baylor will host NCAA tennis. We have submitted bids to host NCAA regional play in softball and baseball as well, and look forward to postseason play in both sports. Our track and golf programs are also having strong seasons and are headed to NCAA competition.
Football season ticket renewal forms have been sent out and fans are able to renew tickets on-line at BaylorBears.com as well. We are looking for a surge in season ticket sales based upon the excitement about the great work of Coach Briles and his staff. Baylor will host six football games at Floyd Casey Stadium beginning with the home opener against Connecticut on September 19. Conference home games include Texas, Oklahoma State, Nebraska along with Texas Tech in Cowboys Stadium. The 2009 season will be one of the most exciting ever for our fans! If you are one of the many fans who want to buy season tickets for the first time or purchase additional season tickets, please contact the Baylor Athletics Ticket Office at 254-710-1000.
The Baylor Bear Foundation fund drive is in its final month and perhaps no time in the history of the BBF has it been more important to join. Baylor Athletics is experiencing great success across the board and this momentum is carrying over to recruitment of some of the finest prospective student-athletes in the nation. However, it is critical that we receive Bear Foundation gifts in order to fund scholarships so that these incredible young men and women can experience a Baylor education and wear the green and gold as they compete for Baylor University. Please contact the Bear Foundation today to renew your membership or join for the first time.
We have received a few Ask Ian questions in the past couple of weeks and below are the latest round.
Ian;
Congratulations on a super year--and it isn't over yet. Thanks for all your hard work to set the stage for all of it to take place.
My question is concerning the green/gold spring game. Why was it "down sized" and played on Thursday? Other schools - UT, A&M, OU, etc play a full game for their fans that is tape delayed on FSW. Why can't we move in that direction, rather than the direction we have taken? Thanks for your response.
Gary Brown
Mt. Pleasant, Texas
Gary,
Thank you for your kind comments and question. The annual green and gold spring football game was held at the recently completed Highers Athletics Complex on April 2 and could not have gone any better. It provided us an opportunity to showcase our new facilities to alumni, letterwinners and recruits.
Moreover, we had a tremendous crowd on hand including a large number of students. FSN did tape the scrimmage and will show it during its coverage of Baylor spring football. In future years, I am sure we will have an opportunity to move the game back to Floyd Casey Stadium and fill it up for a green and gold game.
Ian
Ian; I have heard rumors that we are changing the football uniforms again this year and could possibly have white helmets for some games. If true this is disappointing as the uniforms the last two years looked great.
Bill Hollis
Austin, Texas
Bill,
Thank you for your e-mail. Coach Briles has made some changes to the football uniforms and I know that the student-athletes are excited about what they have seen. The uniforms will have a more contemporary look and feature Baylor across the front.
When it comes to fashion it is difficult to get everyone to agree on what looks best, but I know that the product on the field is going to be the best in many, many years and hopefully that is what is most important to the Baylor family.
Ian
Ian; I went to the SLC this past weekend and watched some great volleyball with many teams including our Baylor team. I was amazed at how good they are and many people were there to see it. I don't see anything on the web about it. Will there be more advertising for Volleyball in the future? They are a great team to watch and dominated everyone. Look forward to seeing them have a great season this fall.
Trish McGown
Robinson, Texas
Trish,
Thank you for supporting the volleyball program. The team is going through its spring, non-traditional season and has been playing very well. The 2009 team will be the most experienced and have the most depth since Coach Barnes has been at Baylor, and we are looking forward to a great season.
The BaylorBears.com website will list the team's spring matches but does not provide extensive coverage when it is not in its tradition season.
Ian
Ian; With Art Briles and Robert Griffin it is time to buy me some season tickets and good ones. When can I get them?
Cooter
Mart, Texas
Cooter,
I share your enthusiasm for Baylor football and am thrilled that you are going to buy season tickets this year. There has not been a time during my tenure at Baylor when there has been as much excitement for the program or expectations for the upcoming season. Coach Briles and his staff have done a terrific job and the student-athletes are dedicated and working hard. Fans can purchase season tickets on-line at BaylorBears,com by clicking on the link to renew or buy season tickets link.
In addition, to access the best seats, please contact the Baylor Bear Foundation at 254-710-2582 and ask for Amy Tyson, Coordinator of Premium Tickets.
Ian
Ian; Once again, our tennis teams have shown their dominance, and our softball team is making great strides. I want to convey my thanks and congratulations to Coach Scrivano, Coach Knoll, and especially my coach of the year candidate, Glenn Moore, for all they are doing for Baylor.
Okay it's not really a question, but it needs to be said. Thanks.
Michael Grady
Midwest City, Okla.
Michael,
I am grateful for your kind comments about our coaches and teams. The tennis programs and softball are having great seasons and have a chance to make great runs in NCAA play in the coming weeks. Baylor is blessed to have outstanding coaches in all sports and I appreciate the tremendous commitment that they have to excellence in athletics and academics.
Ian
Mr. McCaw, These are days when it is proud to be a Baylor alumnus. We cannot thank you enough for everything that you and your team are doing in the athletic department. Sic 'em Bears!
My question is when will you announce the next women's sport at Baylor and can you give us any clues as to what it will be?
Elaine Mobley
Sugarland, Texas
Elaine,
I hear the same chorus when meeting with alumni and friends of Baylor across the State. The common theme is that these are the best of times for Baylor Athletics and our goal is to have them get even better!
I mentioned our outstanding coaches in Michael's e-mail, and want to recognize our administrative and support staff as well. These staff members do not receive the attention or visibility of coaches, yet perform essential roles for our department and are a huge part of the overall success of Baylor Athletics.
Baylor's Board of Regents voted to add a new women's sport in 2010-11 and our administrative staff is in the process of evaluating our options and collecting data. At this point, there are several sports being assessed so we don't want to give preference to any particular sport. However, I hope that just as equestrian was an outstanding selection by the Board in 2005, we will have a great outcome with the new sport in 2010.
Ian
