From the Desk of the AD
3/31/2026 12:00:00 PM | General, Athletic News
I am quickly remembering there is nothing quite like the action of Spring across an athletic department. Being around our student-athletes and the sheer amount of activity, from those both in and out of season, is an unmatched energy which is so great to be back in the middle of.
Spring Sports
I enjoyed spending time at the Clyde Hart Classic track meet this past weekend, connecting with many around the program, including several former letterwinners. Although dearly missed, the legacy of Coach Hart was honored in a meaningful way.
If possible, get to campus this April to cheer on tennis, baseball, softball, and track & field. There's a lot to be excited about in all of these programs. These in addition to golf, and acrobatics & tumbling pursuing their 11th consecutive National Championship, are in the midst of productive springs.
Women's basketball played for a share of the Big 12 Championship on the last day of the regular season and won their 22nd consecutive NCAA Tournament first round game, a feat of remarkable consistency never to be taken for granted. Coach Nicki and her staff are eagerly preparing for the portal with clear intentions to build on this past season.
Men's basketball will compete again in the post-season, this time the Crown in Las Vegas, beginning tomorrow night against Minnesota. We saw some fun moments during the season, and the Crown provides a great event that can have a carry-over impact on next season. However, make no mistake, this season did not meet our program's standard of excellence. Ever the competitor, expected of a hall of fame worthy coach, Coach Drew is aggressively driving the charge to remedy that.
Fan First Momentum & Season Tickets
We have heard and been so encouraged by your response to the Fan First Era. The momentum is showing up as new season ticket purchases are pacing ahead of previous seasons, and there is overwhelming interest in tailgating as well as the other improved amenities and game day experiences coming for the 2026 season.
New this fall, you the fans, will have a voice in choosing what our team wears for select games. We know how much interest and excitement comes with uniform choices, and we're looking forward to the collective impact our fans can have.
If you have not already, read the USA Today feature on transfer QB DJ Lagway. There is a poignant moment that showcases the very best of Baylor – DJ says of his student-athlete experience here thus far, "This is how it's supposed to be." What an endorsement of what you all do so much to support the student-athlete experience at Baylor.
As a quick reminder, we extended the season ticket renewal deadline through this Thursday, April 2nd – giving you a few more days to secure your seats. There's no need to mince words here: We need you back at McLane this fall. You play a critical role in gamedays at McLane, and that starts with a strong season ticket renewal rate, which we are in the process of accomplishing.
Proactive in the New Era
External NIL opportunities remain a key component of fielding highly competitive rosters. We are attacking this on multiple fronts with both short-term and long-term strategies. First, we are bullish about our new partnership with TheLinkU, an innovative third-party partner who provides turnkey infrastructure to source and execute NIL campaigns, create new revenue streams, engage B2B partners, activate donor participation, enhance content creation, and facilitate direct athlete payments. In addition, our friends at Playfly continue to grow our partnership with Playfly Max this year. And thirdly, I have spent significant time directly engaging individual members of the Baylor family who are positioned to potentially help as well.
Much work remains to be done, but I'm encouraged by our early progress and most importantly, the steadfast commitment of the Baylor community to ensure competitive success.
Key Leadership Addition
Finally, I'm thrilled to use this note to share first with you the hiring of Duquesne University VP & Athletic Director, Dave Harper, as the newest member of our Baylor Athletics executive leadership. Dave joins us from a highly accomplished, decade-long tenure at Duquesne highlighted by a comprehensive basketball arena renovation, a 2024 Atlantic 10 Championship in Men's Basketball, and a first-round win that year over BYU in the NCAA Tournament, the program's first berth since 1977. He began his career as a college football coach, and prior to Duquesne, served as the Vice President for University Advancement at the University of Dayton.
Among other things, Dave will be tasked with management of our NIL efforts both in driving and maximizing revenue as well as in ensuring Baylor is equipped with best practices to ensure effective and efficient utilization of our revenue distribution. While Dave's track record, particularly in driving revenue, is incredibly strong, he is also an ideal fit for our university's mission and is well-known across the industry as a leader of high character and a fearless builder. It says something incredibly positive about Baylor and this moment, that we can attract someone with Dave's pedigree to join our team.
In closing, I want to wish you and your families a great Easter weekend. It is a joy to be amongst a community united by celebration in the ultimate victory!
Thanks, as always, for your continued care and support.
Doug
Spring Sports
I enjoyed spending time at the Clyde Hart Classic track meet this past weekend, connecting with many around the program, including several former letterwinners. Although dearly missed, the legacy of Coach Hart was honored in a meaningful way.
If possible, get to campus this April to cheer on tennis, baseball, softball, and track & field. There's a lot to be excited about in all of these programs. These in addition to golf, and acrobatics & tumbling pursuing their 11th consecutive National Championship, are in the midst of productive springs.
Women's basketball played for a share of the Big 12 Championship on the last day of the regular season and won their 22nd consecutive NCAA Tournament first round game, a feat of remarkable consistency never to be taken for granted. Coach Nicki and her staff are eagerly preparing for the portal with clear intentions to build on this past season.
Men's basketball will compete again in the post-season, this time the Crown in Las Vegas, beginning tomorrow night against Minnesota. We saw some fun moments during the season, and the Crown provides a great event that can have a carry-over impact on next season. However, make no mistake, this season did not meet our program's standard of excellence. Ever the competitor, expected of a hall of fame worthy coach, Coach Drew is aggressively driving the charge to remedy that.
Fan First Momentum & Season Tickets
We have heard and been so encouraged by your response to the Fan First Era. The momentum is showing up as new season ticket purchases are pacing ahead of previous seasons, and there is overwhelming interest in tailgating as well as the other improved amenities and game day experiences coming for the 2026 season.
New this fall, you the fans, will have a voice in choosing what our team wears for select games. We know how much interest and excitement comes with uniform choices, and we're looking forward to the collective impact our fans can have.
If you have not already, read the USA Today feature on transfer QB DJ Lagway. There is a poignant moment that showcases the very best of Baylor – DJ says of his student-athlete experience here thus far, "This is how it's supposed to be." What an endorsement of what you all do so much to support the student-athlete experience at Baylor.
As a quick reminder, we extended the season ticket renewal deadline through this Thursday, April 2nd – giving you a few more days to secure your seats. There's no need to mince words here: We need you back at McLane this fall. You play a critical role in gamedays at McLane, and that starts with a strong season ticket renewal rate, which we are in the process of accomplishing.
Proactive in the New Era
External NIL opportunities remain a key component of fielding highly competitive rosters. We are attacking this on multiple fronts with both short-term and long-term strategies. First, we are bullish about our new partnership with TheLinkU, an innovative third-party partner who provides turnkey infrastructure to source and execute NIL campaigns, create new revenue streams, engage B2B partners, activate donor participation, enhance content creation, and facilitate direct athlete payments. In addition, our friends at Playfly continue to grow our partnership with Playfly Max this year. And thirdly, I have spent significant time directly engaging individual members of the Baylor family who are positioned to potentially help as well.
Much work remains to be done, but I'm encouraged by our early progress and most importantly, the steadfast commitment of the Baylor community to ensure competitive success.
Key Leadership Addition
Finally, I'm thrilled to use this note to share first with you the hiring of Duquesne University VP & Athletic Director, Dave Harper, as the newest member of our Baylor Athletics executive leadership. Dave joins us from a highly accomplished, decade-long tenure at Duquesne highlighted by a comprehensive basketball arena renovation, a 2024 Atlantic 10 Championship in Men's Basketball, and a first-round win that year over BYU in the NCAA Tournament, the program's first berth since 1977. He began his career as a college football coach, and prior to Duquesne, served as the Vice President for University Advancement at the University of Dayton.
Among other things, Dave will be tasked with management of our NIL efforts both in driving and maximizing revenue as well as in ensuring Baylor is equipped with best practices to ensure effective and efficient utilization of our revenue distribution. While Dave's track record, particularly in driving revenue, is incredibly strong, he is also an ideal fit for our university's mission and is well-known across the industry as a leader of high character and a fearless builder. It says something incredibly positive about Baylor and this moment, that we can attract someone with Dave's pedigree to join our team.
In closing, I want to wish you and your families a great Easter weekend. It is a joy to be amongst a community united by celebration in the ultimate victory!
Thanks, as always, for your continued care and support.
Doug
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