Submit your questions for Ian now!
Ian:
The new surface at FCS looks great! When will it be done and when will the team practice on it?
Howard
Bellaire, Texas
Howard,
We are very pleased with the quality of the Prestige product and the installation has gone smoothly. This project is scheduled to be completed on March 15, weather permitting. As I look out my window, I see them installing the word marks in the south end zone in the colors that the fans suggested - gold letters with a white outline.
The football team will practice on the surface several times during the spring at the discretion of Coach Morriss and the spring game will be held on the surface on April 17.
We hope that you and other Baylor fans stop by the stadium and take a look at the new surface in person!
Ian
Ian, Thanks Ian for being so receptive to Baylor fans and alumni. I have never felt more positive about Baylor Athletics. I am so thankful you are our Athletic Director. I only have a statement and it refers to the color of our uniforms. I finally saw a picture of the black basketball uniforms. I know there has been some voices critical of them. From what I saw in the picture I like them allot. As the saying goes today I think they "rock."
And this come from a 57-year old white male who is senior pastor of a Southern Baptist Church in one of the most conservative cities in California. Beside, I was born in Arkansas and spent nine years in Texas seven of them in Waco. If the student-athletes like them then I am all for them. I would never want to go back to the uniforms of Coach Menefee days when I was at Baylor (in all due respect to Coach Menefee). I think the black, dark green, gold and white are an awesome combination for any uniform. Thanks for letting me state my opinion.
Sic'em Bears.
Dr. Frank D. Ward
Bakersfield, CA
pastorfrank@columbusstreet.org
Dr. Ward,
Thank you for the comments about uniform colors. This has been a lively topic of late, particularly with the Board of Regents directive that Baylor teams exclusively use uniforms with Baylor's traditional green and gold.
We have heard from individuals on both sides of this issue with strong feelings. Several Baylor coaches and student-athletes do feel strongly, as you do, about the use of the color black on uniforms.
We are working with senior administration to appropriately respond to the Regents' directive and ensure that we comply with NCAA regulations that require home teams use light or white uniforms while visiting teams wear dark colors.
We appreciate your support!
Ian
Ian, Have we replaced Minnesota with another opponent? If we have not are we looking for one? If we have only 11 games scheduled does this not have some negative impact on our athletic budget?
A few days ago I was watching on tv the "Iron Major". The story of the great Boston College coach John Cavanaugh. A couple of scores were flashed on the screen and one of them was Boston College vs. Baylor (probably back in the 1920's). That movie must be required viewing in the BC athletic department. Let's get the Bears in the same shape as BC was in those years.
Good luck Ian.
Harold Spangler
Houston, Texas
Harold,
We have completed the 2004 schedule and it is posted on BaylorBears.com under the football section. Baylor will play 11 games next season as mandated by NCAA rules (Note: in 2002 and 2003, 12 games were permitted). We are excited about the schedule and look forward to six home games versus Texas State, North Texas, Iowa State, Missouri, Texas A&M and Oklahoma. Season tickets will go on sale next month.
The Big 12 conference and the majority of Division I-A favor sponsoring legislation for a 12th regular season football game each year. This would generate additional revenue, even the number of games played annually and allow for better access to bowl eligibility.
We will keep you posted on how this unfolds.
Ian
Ian, Were the parents of our senior football players invited to the football banquet?
Lawrence A. Pittman
San Antonio, Texas
Lawrence,
Coach Morriss and his staff did a terrific job in hosting this year's football banquet. It was well attended by student-athletes and family members with more than 300 in attendance. It is especially appreciated when families travel from great distances to join the team and celebrate the accomplishments from the season.
On a related note, I have been impressed at the hard work and dedication the football team has demonstrated in its off-season conditioning program in advance of spring practice. There have been noticeable strength gains and the competitive spirit of the team is very high.
Stay tuned as spring practice begins next week.
Ian
Ian, No Question, just a thought. I have noticed other college senior acknowledgements coming after the game rather than before. Our area high schools have also gone to that format. I asked one of our coaches why, and he just said it was easier to keep their focus and the athlete's focus on the game. Less distraction up front, and less emotional energy spent.
Nancy Hewes
Arlington,Texas
Nancy,
My immediate reaction is that the reason that senior ceremonies typically do not occur after a game is that if the outcome of the contest is not favorable, there tends not to be a very festive sendoff.
The Big 12 has a senior night protocol that allows for a pre-game ceremony while the visiting team remains in its locker room. I expect that we will continue to follow this conference accepted practice.
Thank you for your question and comments.
Ian
Ian, When are you going to allow the real bear mascot to come to the home baseball games? Also I would like to see them at the tennis, soccer, and softball games. My daughter really enjoys seeing the real mascot at the games as compared to the bear that resembles a ewok from Star Wars.
Bob Gibson
Whitney, Texas
Bob,
Once again, this is an area that has the attention of Baylor's Board of Regents as they have asked that the live Bears regularly attend home athletic contests.
We will work with the Office of Student Life to explore ways increase the presence of the Bears at home contests. One of the needs that the Bears have is for a new trailer, so once that is realized we should see them more regularly at games.
I appreciate your support of Baylor Athletics!
Ian
Dear Ian, Congratulations on hiring such a well respected coach in Jim Barnes. We are all anticipating some great things. I read where you've talked about "the athletic department is in the process of developing an athletic facilities master plan that is a forward looking document and addresses all of our foreseeable needs."
I was wondering if a new volleyball facility was in the plan. There have been several people talking about the need for the program to play and practice in the same facility. It appears most of the top programs are moving towards a volleyball facility with a smaller arena for homecourt advantage. It seems this could help us get to the next level. I like to hear your thoughts. Thanks for doing such an admirable job!!
A. Louviere
Waco, Texas
Mr. Louviere,
I appreciate your comments about Jim Barnes. We are very fortunate to have him and his staff, including Candice O'Brien and Geno Frugoli, on board at Baylor. This is an outstanding staff and they have been very well received by the student-athletes on the team and their colleagues in the athletic department. We are already looking forward to the season!
The Ferrell Center is a very good venue for volleyball. There has been some discussion about developing a multi-purpose facility on campus that would include volleyball and other sports.
Thank you for your interest and support of Baylor volleyball!
Ian
Ian, I was wondering as to the status of the contracts we have with Coach Drew and Coach Mulkey-Robertson. I know that you don't typically do any negotiating in season, but as the season comes to an end I would hope that we would look to add lengthy extensions to both as they are doing an outstanding job. Thank you and I wish you and the athletic department continued luck.
Lance Lawson
Round Rock, Texas
Lance,
We treat salary, contractual and personnel information in a confidential manner, so this is a question that I am unable to answer directly.
Baylor is fortunate to have outstanding coaches and people providing leadership of both the men's and women's basketball programs. We are incredibly proud of the job that Coach Mulkey-Robertson has done and the outstanding performance of her team during the last four years. The Lady Bears have positioned themselves among the elite in college basketball. Similarly, we are thrilled with the efforts of Coach Drew in rebuilding the men's program and the effort and desire that his team demonstrated this year.
Needless to say, we look forward to long and successful relationships with both of these exceptional coaches.
Ian
