BEARS WHIP AGGIES!
The Baylor men’s basketball team beat A&M 72 – 64 in Waco this weekend. This gives Coach Scott Drew’s team their second conference win, tying them for 9th place in the Big XII with Kansas State and Nebraska. With only six scholarship players, the Bears are already competitive in the toughest basketball conference in the country. We have to be proud as well of former BU players John Lucas and Lawrence Roberts who lead OSU and Mississippi State to big wins this weekend as their leading scorers. Baylor showed character in allowing their transfers but you have to wonder what a great experience they could have had with Coach Drew.

BAYLOR BASKETBALL WINS ONE IN “JUDICIAL-COURT”
District Court Judge Ralph Strother dismissed six of the seven counts in the lawsuit filed in August against Baylor by the father of Patrick Dennehy. The plaintiffs have two weeks to decide if they want to contest the last count. While we rejoice in the fact that Baylor, our Regents, our Regent Chairman, Drayton McLane, and President Robert Sloan have been relieved of this burden, we still grieve for the Dennehy family. Friends of Baylor Steering Committee members Wayne Fisher and Steve Dillard were lead counsel in the defense of Baylor. Wayne, Steve, BU General Counsel Noley Bice and the Regents' Legal Committee headed by Dallas attorney Joe Armes constituted a very effective “Baylor Legal Line.”

NEW ALUMNI ASSOCIATION LEADER NAMED
Jeff Kilgore, formerly the University Host for BU, has been named the Executive Vice President of the Baylor Alumni Association. Thanks again to great Regent Committee work, headed by Regent Will Davis of Austin, the University and the Alumni Association have coordinated their respective roles and Jeff is expected to be a fresh and effective leader in the new arrangement. Congrats Jeff!

NATIONAL FOCUS ON BAYLOR
Baylor’s ambitious Vision 2012 plan as well as its leader, President Robert Sloan, were the subject of national commentary and endorsement in the current issue of the Christian Century. It’s nice to see that bold change can also be recognized for its overall value as well as its squeaky parts. The article concludes saying, “Opposition to this plan has come from unlikely sources. The way the plan has been introduced has had nightmarish implications for some at Baylor. But it is an extremely important enterprise that all Christians should watch closely – and, I would add, cheer on”. Click below to review.

Christian Century (Subscription Registered)
If the link does not work enter the following in your browser address bar: http://www.christiancentury.org/features.html#Crisis of identity

ENROLLMENT ROLLING (MOSTLY!)
Fall ’04 enrollment numbers continue to outpace budget and the positive gap has widened significantly in the last month. Through Friday we are 14% ahead of ’03 “acceptance” numbers and 12% ahead on actual student “deposits”. The Administration’s barnstorming tour to the major church campuses, as well as many Texas High Schools, appears to have identified hundreds of outstanding prospects. These efforts should prove to be a good long term recruiting foundation for the school.

GOODBYE COACH JOHN GOODNER
Defensive Coordinator under both Coach Morriss and Coach Teaff, John Goodner, retired last week. Coach Goodner was responsible for the great Baylor defenses in the late ‘80’s and early ‘90’s that dominated the Southwest Conference. He was a great recruiter, a great strategist, and a great man. Baylor is a better place because of Coach Goodner. Thank you Coach for all that you gave us and the kids. We have a sky box seat for you anytime you want to visit (and help us Monday morning quarterback!).

Sic’ em Bears!

Friends of Baylor
(866) 77BEARS
support@friendsofbaylor.com